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Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults and families, is pleased to announce that Marco Lutheran Church Foundation has awarded the Center a $5,500 grant for translation and interpretation services to be used during mental health outpatient treatment.

This funding will ensure equal access to outpatient mental health care such as psychiatric medical services, outpatient therapy and telehealth services. The funds will be used to contract with certified interpreters for in-person, video and telephone translation services for multiple languages, including American Sign Language. The grant will ensure that every person requiring translation services will receive the care they need in their preferred language in order to provide the optimum treatment benefit.

David Lawrence Centers is required by state and federal laws to provide accommodation needed and requested by clients, yet Medicaid and other funding sources do not pay for these services.

A small portion of the funds will be used to purchase Bibles to be used throughout the optional spirituality services provided by local, volunteer church officials for children and adults residing in the Center’s 63 inpatient and residential treatment beds. These non-denominational services are available on Sundays for clients staying in the Crisis Stabilization Unit and Crossroads Rehab and Detox programs.

This funding has been made possible as a result of a new Spirituality Initiative that began in 2017. The initiative is designed to partner with area churches, synagogues and other religious affiliations to better support the spirituality needs of individuals with mental illness and addiction. It was born out of the realization of the important role spirituality, religion and faith can have for some individuals and families during times of crisis.

David Lawrence Centers President and CEO Scott Burgess said, “Research has shown that for many, faith and individual spirituality can directly improve our physical and mental health. Partnering with local churches to better address mental health in our community supports our strategic initiatives not only from a resource perspective, but also to improve access and prevention services. Religious leaders are often called upon first to help support individuals and families in their congregation through tough times. Our goal is to be a resource partner to them to help their members achieve optimum health and wellness.”

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers is a national leader in providing world-class mental health and addiction recovery solutions for children, adolescents and adults. The Center’s innovative, integrated treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, David Lawrence Centers creates life-changing wellness for more than 9,000 people through over 220,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.