Family Service Association of Bucks County chief executive officer Julie Dees has been named a winner of the 2024 Social Innovations Journal Greater Philadelphia Social Innovation Awards in the Not for Profit: Societal Impact Category. The award is in recognition of her agency’s groundbreaking Project Access to Care: Mental Health Support for Children and Youth program (Project Access).
Conceptualized by Dees, Project Access addresses an ongoing serious mental health crisis plaguing children and youth in Bucks County and across the country. The privately-funded program covers out-of-pocket mental health counseling expenses for families with commercial insurance, which unlike Medicaid, does not always cover counseling by unlicensed but highly-qualified clinicians. Since its launch in 2022, the program has successfully provided 390 services to approximately 50 children and families in need of care.
Per the Social Innovations Journal, the theme of the awards is “Achieving a More Just Society.” Each category recognizes organic leaders, who re-envision the challenges that communities face and find innovative solutions to address those challenges.
Family Service was selected as a winner among a formidable group of 65 nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Awards were determined through an open nomination and voted upon by over 3,500 local residents and industry peers.
Dees is grateful for the recognition of her agency and program. She said, “Receiving this prestigious award confirms that the role of Family Service in supporting our Bucks County neighbors is greater and more vital than ever. Mental health crises among our children is at an alarming level, and being able to help them in any way we can is among our top priorities.”
