Manatee County officials deny funding to LGBTQ+ program for kids’ mental health
Bradenton Herald ·
Executive Director (2022 to 2024) Becky McDonough talks with the Bradenton Herald about Manatee County officials voting to block funding for a mental health counseling program for LGBTQ children.
In July 2023, Manatee County commissioners approved $15 million for more than 50 local programs but singled out ALSO Youth, voting to deny $27,500 for our mental health counseling program. At the time, ALSO provided an average of 70 free counseling sessions a month to young people ages 10 to 24, focused on depression, anxiety, and other struggles that can grow out of bullying and low self-esteem.
Executive Director Becky McDonough said the county “really missed out” and promised the counseling would continue with help from community partners and donors. Board President Mary Tavarozzi described the goal as making sure youth do not absorb the hateful rhetoric around them and turn it on themselves.
Read at Bradenton Herald (opens the outside article)
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