April 12, 2021 – John’s Island Community Service League (JICSL) has awarded a $30,000 grant to Tykes & Teens, a leading provider of the highest quality, evidence-based mental health services and programs for children and adolescents for 25 years. The funding will support the Alternative to Out of School Suspension (ALTOSS) program in Indian River County that is housed at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center.
“The John’s Island Community Service League is a close and valued partner to Tykes & Teens, and we are honored and deeply appreciative to receive their continued support again this year,” said Tykes & Teens CEO Eric Garza, MHA, LCSW. “Their generous funding is increasing student success through our program that decreases the likelihood of future suspensions and other school struggles.”
“Teens on school suspension need help keeping up with their studies,” said John’s Island Community Service League Co-Chair Lynne Whipple. “Tykes & Teens’ ALTOSS program serves this need. Additionally, their mental health professionals work with the students to improve self-image and confidence. Their outcomes are impressive! 70 percent of their students are not re-suspended. JICSL is pleased to support this effort.”
Since 1999, Tykes & Teens has helped families and adolescent students experiencing difficulties in school to gain the stability and strength to interact positively in their daily environment. Their ALTOSS program helps students keep up with their school work while suspended and develop the skills to cope with their individual challenges. It is a free program open to Indian River County and Martin County middle and high school students who have been suspended from school. ALTOSS provides a safe, structured and educational experience for children during their suspension. The goal is to give parents peace of mind while providing an opportunity for children to growth. ALTOSS has been proven to be effective in decreasing repeat suspensions by using targeted activities to increase the student’s awareness of the importance of positive character, relationships, respect and cooperation. Seventy percent of students who attend this program do not get resuspended. For more information, visit ALTOSS.
In addition to the ALTOSS program, Tykes & Teens’ Indian River programming includes, Infant Mental Health, Healthy Families Indian River County, School-Based Services and Prevention Services, including Trauma-Informed Care, as well as Psychiatric Services and Targeted Case Management.
Tykes & Teens Vero ALTOSS Program Specialist Kariana Casanova, John’s Island Community Service League Co-Chairs Lynne Whipple and Sarah Jane Moore, Tykes & Teens CEO Eric Garza
ALTOSS Indian River County computer lab and classroom housed at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center
About John’s Island Community Service League
The John’s Island Community Services League’s vision is transforming lives in Indian River County through leadership, collaboration and dedicated philanthropy. Johnny Van Name formed the League in February 1980. She wanted to bring attention to other John’s Island residents the needs of the community in which they lived, either full or part time. Her goal was to raise funds to aid women and children who were victims of abuse by starting a thrift shop, now known as the Tambourine Shop. Since that time, the League has flourished and grown to 1,050 members, becoming an important part of the lives of many residents of John’s Island, as well as the lives of countless Indian River County women, children and families. Twelve years ago, men were invited to become members of the JICSL as the “150 Good Men.” Each year the number of men has grown. In 2020, over 290 men joined as members. This year, grants surpassed $1 million for the third year in a row. Since its inception, JICSL has granted over $14,037,197 for Indian River County charitable agencies and post-secondary scholarships for John’s Island employees and their children.
About Tykes & Teens
Tykes & Teens has been a leading mental health provider for children and adolescent evidence-based programs and services for 25 years. Our passion and commitment are to empowering children and strengthening families by ensuring that all children have access to high quality counseling and mental health services, regardless of financial status. Our mission is prioritizing children’s mental health in our families, schools and communities through a wide range of prevention, education, and treatment programs and services. We also advocate for increased awareness of mental health to remove the stigma and shame often associated with seeking mental health treatment. Since our inception, we have provided affordable quality mental health services for more than 60,000 children in need across the Treasure Coast from more than 50 service locations, including outpatient offices in Palm City, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, and Vero Beach, on-site services in all Martin County schools, and in schools in Okeechobee and Indian River counties, as well as collaboration with numerous community partners, in addition to virtual telehealth services. We have continued to offer our services and programs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual telehealth care. We accept most insurance, private payments, and we are a Medicaid-approved provider. We have successfully administered a sliding fee scale for those in need when necessary for more than 20 years. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, we also provide $750,000 in unreimbursed services to the communities we serve each year. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
