Allied Services received a $25,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it plans to use to support an initiative focused on strengthening mental health workforce retention and improving quality of life for behavioral health residents and trainees in Pottsville.
Allied Services plans to offer residents a Behavioral Health Workforce and Quality of Life grant, which will directly support mental health residents by investing in protective factors that promote resilience, retention, and professional longevity while enhancing the quality of life for adults living with mental illness but who cannot afford basic social engagement activities or simple items that help each person remain independent.
The funding will be used to expand access to mental health and wellness supports for residents, including confidential counseling, peer support, and stress-reduction programming; support work-life balance and quality of life needs, such as stipends for housing, transportation, childcare assistance, utilities and/or wellness resources; provide professional development and mentorship opportunities that enhance clinical confidence, reduce isolation, and strengthen career satisfaction; and foster a culture of well-being and sustainability within training environments, helping Allied·Services retain skilled staff and reduce turnover.
Jim Brogna, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnership Development at Allied Services, said, “Since the pandemic, mental health professionals are experiencing unprecedented levels of burnout, secondary trauma, and workforce attrition. Residents and early-career clinicians are particularly vulnerable, balancing demanding responsibilities with financial stress, long work hours, and limited access to wellness supports. These challenges threaten not only the well-being of the workforce, but also the continuity and quality of care available to individuals and families who rely on mental health services. Allied Services is uniquely positioned to address this challenge. Our capacity to address the current and unmet needs of those living with mental health needs in Schuylkill County is only limited due to staffing shortages and ongoing quality of life needs for residents in our care. That's why we are grateful to the First Federal Charitable Foundation for this grant funding and their continued support.”
First Federal Charitable Foundation Executive Director Megan Kennedy said, “The work that Allied Services is doing to support behavioral health residents and trainees is vitally important in our world today. We are honored to support the many initiatives Allied Services has planned and their goal to improve the quality of life and work-life balance for every individual.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.
For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, email