ADAMHS offers Youth Thrive funding

FINDLAY — The Hancock County System of Care grant is offering funds to "local organizations that wish to improve or enhance programs, practices and policies that use the Youth Thrive Framework," a release from the Hancock County ADAMHS board states. $25,000 is available in total, but organizations may ask for up to $5,000. According to the Center for the Study of Social Policy, Youth Thrive is "both a research-informed framework on youth well-being and an action-oriented initiative. ... Youth Thrive has focused on strategies to improve systems that serve youth who are most marginalized in society, specifically focusing on child-welfare and juvenile justice systems and the service system that supports youth who are at-risk of homelessness," the center's website states. ADAMHS Director of Wellness and Education Zachary Thomas said any Hancock County organization that serves Hancock County residents is eligible to apply for the grant. These organizations may be non-profit, faith-based, educational or community-based organizations. "Funding may be used to help advance services or supports that embrace the Youth Thrive Framework, or improve organizational competence in the use of the Youth Thrive Framework," Thomas said. He added that the funding was created to "expand the adoption and utilization of the Youth Thrive Framework." "Proposals that clearly illustrate how the initiative advances the Youth Thrive Framework or demonstrate a need to become more competent in using the Youth Thrive Framework will be considered for funding," a release about the grant states. Further, any proposals that "link the Youth Thrive Framework to youth of military involved caregivers are of special interest." Thomas said the grant has "been an annual part of the Hancock County System of Care Grant," which is part of the U.S Health and Human Services Department. "As part of the System of Care, the Youth Thrive Framework has been adopted to help youth serving organizations have a unified way to support protective and promotive factors for youth, leading to resiliency," he said. Applications are due Aug. 1. Funds will be distributed Sept. 30, and requested funds will need to be spent by Sept. 30, 2026. Applications can be submitted online and are available at yourpathtohealth.org. Any questions can be posed to Thomas by calling 419-408-3332.