David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider, is honored to announce it has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to support its Behavioral Health Care for Children & Families program.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous support from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, which will help us provide hope for children and families throughout our community,” said Kimberly Dye, vice president of advancement at DLC. “Through our child-centered programs and services, children and teens with behavioral health issues have the opportunity to develop healthy coping skills and self-awareness, as well as reduce or eliminate self-harming behaviors. This funding will ensure families throughout Collier County have access to the tools and resources needed to improve their well-being, regardless of their ability to pay.”

DLC continues to see increased need for services for children and young adults. In 2023, more than 670 children and teens received critical care through the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit for suicidal thoughts, depression and other behavioral health struggles. Nationwide, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among children.

“This award provides local children and families with greater access to high quality, comprehensive behavioral health care,” said Mary Beth Geier, Florida Director of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. “We value our long-term partnership with David Lawrence Centers and are honored to support their ongoing efforts to give kids the best possible chance at a healthy, vibrant future.”

Grant funds will be invested in DLC’s core services to improve access to mental health care for children, teenagers and their families, including clinical and psychiatric assessments, crisis intervention, therapy sessions, medication management and resources, such as transportation and translation. This will help eliminate barriers that limit access to care for youth and their families, giving them the best chance at recovery and reaching their full potential.

For more than 50 years, DLC has been committed to ensuring behavioral health care is available to everyone in need through education, prevention, intervention and treatment. DLC delivers care throughout the community through six distinct centers of operation, including mental health, addiction recovery, emergency services, awareness and prevention, virtual care, and children and young adults.

To learn more about the lifesaving and life-changing services and programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org.

About David Lawrence Centers 

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents, and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves 9,000 people through over 341,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.

About the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

 The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation was created in 2004 by Best Buy founder, Dick Schulze, to give back to the communities where Dick and his family grew up–in Minnesota, where he built Best Buy to become the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer, and in Florida, where he now maintains a permanent residence. The Schulze Family Foundation creates grant partnerships with organizations that generate meaningful results in human and social services, education, and health and medicine. In all its activities, the Foundation embraces its founder’s vision to strengthen and support initiatives that lead to change within our communities. For more information, please visit schulzefamilyfoundation.org.