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8dP IAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA • AGENDA ITEM Im !nt of Parks, Recreation & Conservation Date: February 26, 2024 To: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Through: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator From: Beth Powell, Director of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Subject: Request to Apply to Florida Blue Foundation for Teen Wellness Program BACKGROUND: Indian River County Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department is excited to be positioned to apply for, receive, and carry out a 3 -year Florida Blue Foundation grant for the purpose of targeting programs to our pre -teen through teenage residents. Florida Blue will award approximately $1.7 million through the 2024 Mental Well-being Initiative. As of 2021, Indian River County's population data sources show that there are more than 26,000 children under the age of 18. With a growing population projected to add 20,000 residents over the next 6 years, it's more important than ever that we are developing rich and robust opportunities for children and young adults to succeed and prosper into their adult lives. We are committed to ensuring that opportunities are found throughout the County with support provided through Parks & Recreation programming as well as through programs supported by the County's Children's Services Program. These programs are changing the lives of families and children in our community, but we can do more! DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS: Indian River County has successfully implemented a Senior Wellness program over the last three years which is underwritten by the Florida Blue Foundation. A second grant award was received this past year and continues to show exceptional success at meeting the needs of our Senior residents. This program is carried out by a recreation leader whose salary is funded entirely from the Florida Blue Foundation Grant. The two grants received to date total approximately $400,000. Recently, staff was made aware of another funding initiative through the Florida Blue Foundation for Mental Well-being for the purpose of addressing youth mental health challenges. The grant period is for three years and funds up to $100,000 per year. Recreation Division staff are developing an application which would propose funding a full-time Recreation Coordinator for the purpose of developing pre -teen and teen recreational programs in collaboration with agencies within the County for the purpose of improving mental health. The grant application is due on March 5, 2024, and will be awarded on or before May 31, 2024. This funding, if awarded, would provide a full-time Recreation Leader/Coordinator whose sole purpose would be to implement and run a pre-teen/teen wellness program called "RECREATE MIND/MATTER" through the Indian River County Recreation Division which would be a new County initiative targeted specifically toward the County's adolescent population. This position 135