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Texas Health, REACH Council highlight youth 'Seeds to Success' program after $250,000 award
Summary
Texas Health Community Impact and REACH Council reported on a two-phase grant process and the 'Seeds to Success' youth program, which received a $250,000 phase‑2 implementation award to serve ages 15–24 in priority ZIP codes including Cleburne, Keene and Rio Vista. Presenters cited an 18% local disengagement rate among 16–19-year-olds.
Aaron Johnson Bennett, program manager with Texas Health Community Impact, told the City of Cleburne council that the health system uses a community health needs assessment to guide grantmaking and partnerships aimed at nonmedical drivers of health such as transportation and food access. "Since 2019, Texas Health has awarded $18,000,000 across 49 programs. In Johnson County, we received about $1,000,000 of those dollars," he said.
Gracie Gray of REACH Council outlined the Seeds to Success program that grew from a two‑phase competitive grant process. Gray said phase 1 awarded $200,000 to five collaboratives and that one collaborative earned phase‑2 implementation funding. "Eighteen percent of youth ages 16 to 19 in Johnson County are not enrolled in school or employed," Gray said, citing local focus groups and surveys as the basis for the program's target. Seeds to Success pairs one‑on‑one mentorship and peer support groups with skill‑building workshops and pro‑social activities for youth ages 15–24 in priority ZIP codes.
Molly, the program peer advocate, shared a success story of a client who aged out of foster care and, with program help, is pursuing a diploma, working toward stable employment and moving toward reunification with her child. Program staff said referrals can be made via a posted QR code and that the program is free to participants.
Council members thanked presenters and asked no substantive follow‑up questions at the meeting. Staff directed attendees to texashealth.org/chna for the full Community Health Needs Assessment and to materials left with the council for additional details.
