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
More than 30% students need mental health support
Schools are being asked to do more than ever and they’re feeling the strain.
A new statewide report shows:
• Rising student mental health needs
• Growing special education demands
• Ongoing workforce shortages
• Increasing financial pressure on schools
This isn’t just a school issue, it’s a systems issue.
Strong Minds, Bright Futures is working to make sure schools have the support they need by:
• Expanding access to services in schools and communities
• Supporting students earlier, before challenges escalate
• Strengthening the workforce
• Making it easier for families to get help
Because when schools are supported, students are supported.
Read more: www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2026/03/report-pa-school-districts-facing-budget-healthcare-and-edu...
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Sleep matters more than we think.
For many young people, challenges with sleep are one of the first signs that there are other issues and one of the earliest opportunities to offer support.
Our partners at the School-Based Health Alliance are hosting a webinar on how improving sleep can help strengthen youth mental health and overall well-being.
April 21
2:00 PM (ET)
Register: bit.ly/4bjx0Ot
You’ll learn:
• How to recognize signs of sleep challenges
• Practical ways to support healthier routines
• When to connect young people to additional support
This is what prevention looks like, supporting young people earlier, in the places they already are.
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Students shouldn’t have to wait for a crisis to get mental health support.
Our new report, Building Care Where Students Learn, shows how Philadelphia has built a system where schools, providers, and Medicaid work together to bring care directly to students earlier, and where they already are.
This isn’t one program. It’s a coordinated system and it’s already working.
But many schools in Philly don't yet have full access and most communities across PA don’t either.
We know local solutions like what they developed in Philadelphia already exist, and every community can build what works locally.
Read the report: strongmindspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Phila-SMBF-Report.pdf
What would it take to build something like this where you live?
#StrongMindsPA #childrensmentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthmatters #schoolbasedcare #PreventionWorks
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