About Project REACH
Mission
Project Recognition, Empowerment, and Action for Child Mental Health (REACH) has two overarching aims:
Training
Train adults who have frequent contact with youth on how to provide help to youth experience mental health challenges using the evidence-based program Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA).
Education
Increase knowledge and awareness of youth mental health.
Funding Agency
Project REACH is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Project REACH Team
Sondra Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Counselor Education
Sondra Smith, Ph.D., is an associate professor of counselor education at the University of Florida. She serves in the role of Principal Investigator and Project Director of Project EQuIP and leads project activities in Florida. She has worked as a school counselor and has many years of experience training counselors.
Jacqueline Swank, Ph.D., LMHC, LCSW, RPT-S
Associate Teaching Professor of Mental Health Practices
Jacqueline Swank, Ph.D., LMHC, LCSW, RPT-S, is an associate teaching professor of mental health practices in schools at the University of Missouri. She serves in the role of Co-Principal Investigator, leads project activities in Missouri, and facilitates YMHFA trainings. She has several years of experience providing counseling to children and their families in various settings, as well as training counselors.
Caronne Rush, M.Ed., Ed.S., MSM
Lecturer and the Assistant Director of the Office of Interprofessional Education
Caronne Rush, Ed.S., is a lecturer and the Assistant Director of the Office of Interprofessional Education at the University of Florida. She serves in the role of Co-Principal Investigator and faciliates YMHFA trainings. She has experience in interprofessional collaborations.
Morgan Brown, B.A.
Project Coordinator
Morgan Brown is a graduate student pursuing a dual degree in mental health counseling at the university of Florida. She serves in the role of program coordinator for Project REACH and is responsible for program activities such as YMHFA recruitment, creating YMHFA courses, and inviting learners to MHFA Connect. She has years of experience working in administrative and customer service roles.