GALVESTON – October 25, 2026 – The Permanent Endowment Fund of Moody Methodist Church has awarded Teen Health Center a $1,125,635 grant to expand school-based mental health services to elementary school campuses throughout Galveston Independent School District over the next three years.
The funding will allow Teen Health Center to implement an elementary school-based mental health program that provides early intervention, counseling and behavioral health support to elementary-age students. Early intervention helps children develop healthy coping skills, strengthen emotional regulation and address concerns before they become more significant barriers to learning and well-being.
"By placing therapists on elementary campuses, we can reach students earlier, provide timely support and reduce barriers for families," Executive Director Margie Kusnerik said. "Early access to mental health care helps prevent challenges from escalating, keeps students engaged in school and gives children the support they need to thrive."
While Teen Health Center has provided mental health services to elementary-age children by referral, the expansion to elementary campuses will increase the number of children we can see and create better access.
The initiative will launch this school year with expanded services at Austin Elementary and the addition of school-based mental health services at Parker Elementary School. During the 2027-28 school year, Teen Health Center will expand the program to Burnet STREAM Magnet and Oppe Elementary Magnet Campus of Coastal Studies, bringing on-site counseling services to all four Galveston ISD elementary schools.
Teen Health Center has spent the summer preparing for the implementation of the program by hiring additional clinical staff, and working with district leaders to coordinate services.
"Elementary school is a critical time to identify and address mental health concerns before they become more serious," Director of Mental Health Services Heather Cash, LCSW-S, said. "Providing support where children spend most of their day helps remove barriers to care, strengthens partnerships with families and educators, and gives students the tools they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond."
By the end of the three-year grant period, school-based mental health services will be available at every Galveston ISD elementary school, expanding access to counseling and early intervention close to where children learn each day.
Established in 1985, Teen Health Center provides free medical and mental health care to Galveston youth ages 0-21. In 2025, Teen Health Center provided 3,869 medical visits and more than 2,000 mental health therapy appointments, helping Galveston children and adolescents access quality care regardless of their ability to pay.