{"id":20,"date":"2023-04-26T13:37:43","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T13:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/?page_id=20"},"modified":"2025-06-02T19:58:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T19:58:33","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”About Project REACH” image_alt_text=”Woman flowering symbolic mental garden” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|800|||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_text_color=”#D93A17″ title_font_size=”36px” content_font=”||||||||” content_text_color=”#000000″ content_font_size=”18px” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”55px||5px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”36px” title_font_size_phone=”36px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]Project REACH is a collaboration between the University of Florida and the University of Missouri. The team is dedicated to promoting greater awareness of youth mental health and to reduce mental illness stigma in North Central Florida and Central Missouri. Project REACH is a Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_top_bottom_link_1=”false” padding_top_bottom_link_2=”false” padding_left_right_link_1=”false” padding_left_right_link_2=”false” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||50px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Mission<\/span><\/h2>\n

Project <\/span>Recognition, Empowerment, and Action for Child Mental Health (REACH) <\/i>has two overarching aims:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”22px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Training” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#EA5736″ image_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”70px” content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_text_color=”#284645″ header_font_size=”30px” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”||15px|||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#F5CD40″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Education” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#EA5736″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”70px” content_max_width=”1100px” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_text_color=”#284645″ header_font_size=”30px” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”||15px|||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#F5CD40″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Increase knowledge and awareness of youth mental health.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2023\/06\/Recolored-Flower-Image.png” alt=”A little girl handing her grandparents some flowers.” title_text=”4038756″ show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”relative” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F0F9FF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto; ” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Funding Agency<\/h2>\n

Project REACH is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto; ” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2023\/05\/png_270_kb-removebg-preview-e1684257012824.png” alt=”Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – SAMHSA” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||67px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”40px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Project REACH Team<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2023\/06\/Smith.jpg” alt=”Sondra Smith” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#284645″ header_3_font_size=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Sondra Smith, Ph.D.<\/h3>\n

Associate Professor of Counselor Education<\/em><\/p>\n

Sondra Smith, Ph.D.<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2023\/06\/Swank.jpg” alt=”Sondra Smith” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#284645″ header_3_font_size=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Jacqueline Swank, Ph.D., LMHC, LCSW, RPT-S<\/h3>\n

Associate Teaching Professor of Mental Health Practices<\/em><\/p>\n

Jacqueline Swank, Ph.D., LMHC, LCSW, RPT-S<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2023\/06\/Rush.jpg” alt=”Caronne Rush” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#284645″ header_3_font_size=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Caronne Rush, M.Ed., Ed.S., MSM<\/h3>\n

Lecturer and the Assistant Director of the Office of Interprofessional Education<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Caronne Rush, Ed.S.<\/strong>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2023\/10\/Morgan-Brown.jpg” alt=”Morgan Brown” title_text=”screenshot-placeholder” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#284645″ header_3_font_size=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Morgan Brown, B.A.<\/h3>\n

Project Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

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.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/reach\/files\/2025\/06\/Headshot.jpeg” alt=”Morgan Brown” title_text=”Headshot” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#284645″ header_3_font_size=”32px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Samaiya Jackson<\/h3>\n

Project Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Samaiya Jackson is a graduate student at the University of Florida, pursuing a dual degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.\u00a0She serves as the program coordinator for Project REACH and is responsible for activities such as Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) recruitment, creating YMHFA courses, and inviting learners to MHFA Connect. She brings valuable experience in program coordination, implementation, and evaluation, along with a strong background in customer relations.<\/p>\n

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