Strong Minds, Bright Futures: A Partnership For Child Mental Wellbeing

01/29/2026

Next week, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is hosting its annual Youth Mental Health Conference, one of the only conferences in the country focused on children, adolescents, and transition-age youth.

Friday, February 6
The Westin Pittsburgh

Strong Minds, Bright Futures is proud to uplift opportunities like this that build knowledge, connection, and action because children deserve access to real support before they reach crisis.

Learn more + register: https://tinyurl.com/NKPAYouthCon2026

Our annual Youth Mental Health Conference is next week! Join us on Friday, February 6, at The Westin Pittsburgh for one of the only conferences in the country specializing in children, adolescents, and transition-age youth. Featured workshops include combating rising rates of loneliness and isolation, best practices for engaging youth, and songwriting as a therapeutic practice.
Learn more and register now at https://tinyurl.com/NKPAYouthCon2026

01/28/2026

Strong Minds, Bright Futures is hosting a Community Dialogue on youth mental health in Lancaster, and we want to hear directly from young people, families, educators, providers, and community leaders.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/childrens-mental-health-listening-session-lancaster-county-tickets-1981599256720?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday, February 10
5:00–7:00 PM
Burrowes Elementary School

This is a chance to share what’s working, where access breaks down, and what changes are needed to better support children and their families across Pennsylvania.

All are welcome, especially youth, parents/caregivers, educators, and anyone who cares about mental health. Let’s build solutions together.


Touchstone Foundation Access Services, Inc. NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania NAMI York-Adams Counties PA Mary's Shelter Maternity Care Coalition Sen. James Malone Senator Scott Martin Jaime Arroyo for Lancaster City

01/06/2026

State budget decisions shape how Pennsylvania supports children, families, and the services they rely on.

We encourage everyone to join today’s briefing with Secretary Valerie Arkoosh organized by our partners at Bucks-Mont Collaborative. Secretary Arkoosh has been a strong voice on health and human services and today’s conversation will help you understand what the budget means in practice.

Today | January 6
12:00–1:00 PM (Zoom)

Register and join: https://buff.ly/TZ1nQFA

PA's newly passed state budget brings major implications for organizations across the health and human services sector.

Join Secretary Arkoosh on January 6, 12:00-1:00pm (Zoom) for an accessible overview of key investments, shifts, risks, and areas to watch in the year ahead, plus an open Q&A to get answers to your organization’s specific questions.

This C3 session is open to all. If your work touches health and human services, you’ll want to be in the (virtual) room.

Register here: https://buff.ly/TZ1nQFA

= Bucks-Mont Collaborative TriCounty Community Network Interagency Council of Norristown

12/19/2025

New research from one of our partners, Allies for Children, underscores what families, schools, and communities across PA have been saying for years: youth mental health needs outpace the supports currently available.

Read the report and explore the findings here: https://strongmindspa.org/resources/

Bridging the Gap for Youth Mental Health offers a deep look at where systems are working, and where gaps remain, across schools, out-of-school time programs, and community-based organizations in Allegheny County. The findings point to familiar themes we are advancing through Strong Minds, Bright Futures:

- prevention and early support
- strong school–community partnerships
- a supported workforce
- sustainable Medicaid and public funding

This report is a powerful reminder that removing barriers for children requires coordination, investment, and collective action.

Jewish Healthcare Foundation Kutamani Developmental Services The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania Trying Together Westmoreland County Department of Human Services The Learning Lamp Access Services, Inc. Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania Early Intervention Provider's Association of PA - EIPA

12/18/2025

Applications are now open for the 2026 Virtual Youth Advocacy Series.

Learn more and apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXERnGeAaFzMJvOIosnLAaYmgkcoToHJBePIj9_jIo0waV-w/viewform

This statewide, virtual program supports teens in building advocacy skills, connecting with peers across Pennsylvania, and sharing their ideas with decision-makers.

We encourage educators, parents, and community partners to share this opportunity with young people in their networks.

📢 Applications are now open for the 2026 virtual advocacy series!

▪️Learn new advocacy skills
▪️Share your ideas with statewide change makers
▪️Meet teens from across PA

🔗 in bio for more information and to apply today!

12/18/2025

The deadline has been extended!

The deadline has been extended to submit a workshop proposal for the 2026 Pennsylvania Mental Health and Wellness Conference. The new deadline is Monday, Dec. 22. Workshop ideas include, but are not limited to, responding to mental health crises, sleep and mental health, & healthy coping skills for stressful environments. Learn more and submit your workshop: https://tinyurl.com/2026NKPAStateCon

12/18/2025

Last week Strong Minds, Bright Futures staff were proud to join our partners at MCIU for the Voices for Education gathering, showing up to listen, learn, and amplify what students want leaders to hear.

As young people sharpened their advocacy and prepared for their Capitol visit this spring, one message came through clearly: mental health remains a central concern in their schools and communities. We’re committed to lifting up youth voices and pushing for solutions that bring earlier, easier access to services, before challenges become crises.

Thank you to the students who shared their perspectives, and to the legislators who took time to listen and engage.

12/10/2025

Pennsylvania now has 153,000 uninsured children, the highest number in a decade.

When kids lose health coverage, they lose access to preventive care, mental health support, and the early help that keeps them healthy and learning. Nearly half of children in PA depend on Medicaid, and stable coverage is essential for addressing mental health needs early.

Children can’t thrive when their coverage disappears.

Read more here: https://pennsylvaniaindependent.com/health-care/pa-uninsured-children-hit-153000-as-federal-funding-cuts-loom/

Advocates say consistent health coverage is essential to ensure kids get the preventive care, treatment and support they need to stay healthy and succeed in school.

12/10/2025

Check out the newest episode of Stigma Stompers from our partners at NAMI of Erie County, featuring Dr. Mary Anne Albaugh, a Strong Minds, Bright Futures partner and longtime champion for youth mental health.

With more than 30 years of experience supporting children across schools, residential programs, and community clinics, Dr. Albaugh offers a look at what Pennsylvania’s children need: earlier support, easier access to care, and strong collaboration between schools, providers, and families.

Her insights echo why the Strong Minds, Bright Futures Partnership is working for change so children in communities across PA can have access to services when and where they need them.

This conversation is full of practical wisdom and hope. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CLpHBBKct5DCNifNfro0m?si=DJRdn5vXSX6C5q-SDO8Iow&pi=3MDqqW0OSiKHx&fbclid=IwY2xjawOmYc1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxU2d4NFBLQmhPQ1FsajBpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHizVFUmMbCO4kp8scpKZXZBxHcGfVHFrmQ2UQmcD7RTdd0aEFJIhevIAe5EQ_aem_6mhR8boQguLQwR6bg6IXRA&nd=1&dlsi=afb8244d555e48fb

Erie News Now
Erie Reader Erie County Department of Human Services Perseus House

Stigma Stompers with NAMI of Erie · Episode

12/05/2025

ICYMI: Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Valerie Arkoosh and Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen were in Indiana County last week to highlight an issue we hear in rural communities across PA: access to health care, especially mental health care, is far too limited.

For many children and families, the nearest provider is miles away, appointments are hard to secure, and help often comes only in crisis. These gaps leave rural youth without the timely, local support they need to stay well.

Strong Minds, Bright Futures is working to change that. Across the Commonwealth, our partners are advancing reforms that:

• Expand preventive mental health services so children get support early, not after a crisis
• Strengthen school-based care, bringing services directly to where children are, critical in regions with few providers
• Improve coordination across Medicaid, schools, and health systems so families can access care without navigating a maze

When state leaders and local communities come together, we can build a system where every child, no matter how rural their ZIP code, can get care close to home.

When children are strong, Pennsylvania’s future is bright.

Children First

ICYMI: Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen was in Indiana County last week to participate in two forums about the importance of supporting access to health care in rural regions across Pennsylvania.

12/04/2025

At Carbondale Area High School, students in the Aevidum Club are proving what we see across Pennsylvania: young people want support, connection, and care, yet too many still can’t access the mental health services they need.

Their leadership is inspiring. They’re breaking the stigma, looking out for one another, and showing what’s possible when students feel supported.

But while youth are stepping up, we as adults have a responsibility to meet them halfway. Pennsylvania must remove barriers to care, expand school-based services, and invest in prevention so help is available long before a crisis.

Strong Minds, Bright Futures is proud to stand with partners like Aevidum as we work toward a future where every child can get care close to home.
When children are strong, Pennsylvania’s future is bright.

12/01/2025

POSTPONED EVENT: LANCASTER COMMUNITY DIALOGUE FOR STRONG CHILDREN's MENTAL HEALTH EVENT

The Lancaster Community Dialogue, originally scheduled for December 4, has been postponed.

We apologize for the change in plans and truly appreciate your understanding. We are working quickly to confirm a new date in early 2026, and we hope you’ll join us when the event is rescheduled.

Once the new date is finalized, we will share updated information and promotional materials. We’d be grateful if you could continue helping us spread the word so families, youth, and community members can participate.

Thank you for your flexibility and for your commitment to improving children’s mental health across Pennsylvania.

— Strong Minds, Bright Futures Partnership
info@strongmindspa.org