Strong Minds,
Bright Futures:
A Partnership for
Child Mental Wellbeing
A growing statewide coalition committed to building a stronger future for Pennsylvania’s children. Launched in response to deep concerns raised by families, educators, health professionals, and youth during The Big Thing—a multi-year, community-driven research initiative, led by Children First, the Partnership is transforming how we support children’s mental health in our schools, communities, and care systems.
Across the Commonwealth, children and families are facing growing mental health challenges—but far too often, the systems meant to support them respond too late or not at all. Guided by five essential reforms, the Partnership is working across sectors to remove barriers to care, expand access to early intervention, and ensure that every child can thrive close to home.With Medicaid policies, local collaboration, and a commitment to prevention, Strong Minds, Bright Futures is building a system that works—for families, providers, and the future of Pennsylvania.
EVENT GUIDE:
AFFILIATE EVENTS
STRONG MINDS EVENTS
Pennsylvania has taken a small but important bipartisan step toward better mental health access.
Senate Bill 604 — now Act 23 of 2026 — authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact. The compact makes it easier for eligible professional counselors to serve clients across participating states, helping address workforce gaps in communities where there are not enough providers to meet the needs of children and families.
Families cannot get support earlier if there are not enough qualified professionals available when children need them.
This is not the full solution to Pennsylvania’s mental health workforce shortage, but it is progress toward making care easier to reach. Now we keep going.
Read more: counselingcompact.gov/pennsylvania-becomes-the-40th-member/
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Young people know what they are experiencing. They also know what support is missing.
Join Strong Minds, Bright Futures for Youth Voices, Statewide Solutions: A Pennsylvania Town Hall on Youth Mental Health.
This statewide Zoom conversation will bring youth and families from across Pennsylvania together with elected officials to discuss what young people are seeing in their communities and what needs to change so support is easier to reach earlier.
Tuesday, August 18
4:00–5:00 PM
Zoom Webinar
Register today: strongmindsPA.org/get-involved
Please share with youth, families, educators, providers, advocates, and community partners.
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Back-to-school is a critical time to make sure young people feel supported.
Our partners at NAMI Philadelphia and NAMI Main Line PA are hosting Mental Health Mindset, a free webinar for middle and high school students, parents, caregivers, educators, and school staff.
The event will include mental health stories, practical strategies, available resources, and guidance to help young people start the academic year with support.
Tuesday, August 11
6:00–8:00 PM
Zoom Webinar
Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/awi9Brn5S9WGfjy8x1b86Q#/registration
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