U.S. Sen. Smith Visits New Hope Nonprofit to Talk Mental Health
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) visited People Incorporated in New Hope to address the need for increased mental health services.
People Incorporated serves people with mental illness throughout the Twin Cities. Federal CARES Act funding helped keep people employed at the New Hope nonprofit when it saw increased need and reduced income.
“What CARES Act funding did is keep providers on staff, even though they experienced a decline in enrollment at the same time as they experienced greater need,” said U.S. Sen. Smith. “It’s remarkable to me to think in Minnesota there are 30 percent of young people who need mental health services who aren’t getting it right now.”
Smith went on to say the number is higher for children of color, who have a harder time accessing mental health services.
The U.S. senator is working on three pieces of mental health legislation that includes supporting school-based counseling, addressing a shortage of mental health professionals and improving reimbursement for mental health services.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) visits People Incorporated in New Hope.
Wendy Waddell, chief operating officer at People Incorporated, says the nonprofit has been grateful for CARES Act money.
“We’ll be able to keep [staff] financially stable with employment,” said Waddell. “It means a great deal to keep valuable staff protected during this time.”
