Third PRMS Partners in the Community Grant Winners
Recognizing Nonprofit Organizations Making a Difference in Mental Health Care
As part of Professional Risk Management Services’ (PRMS) continued commitment to supporting mental health and the organizations advancing this important work, we proudly continued the PRMS Partners in the Community Grant (PPCG), which launched in 2024. PRMS invited its partners to nominate local nonprofit organizations that improve mental healthcare in their communities. Grant funding helps these organizations expand programming, create volunteer opportunities, and strengthen collaborative efforts.
On May 17th, the winning organizations were announced at the PRMS and Southern Psychiatric Association Annual Reception in San Francisco. The $4,000 grand-prize grant was awarded to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, nominated by the Illinois Psychiatric Society. Mercy Home’s mission is to provide support and services to children and their families to help build brighter futures. The grant funding will be used to support the organization’s community engagement efforts.
The $3,000 second-place grant was awarded to Harbor House, nominated by the Mississippi Psychiatric Association. Cover My Mental Health nominated by the San Diego Psychiatric Society, received the $2,000 third-place grant.
We are honored to recognize these three organizations and highlight their distinct missions—from supporting children and families to providing addiction treatment and helping individuals navigate insurance coverage for mental health care.
Helping Children and Families Build Brighter Futures Through Mental Health Support
PPCG First Place Winner: Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
Nominated by: Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS)
Molly Riley, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Senior Manager – Advancement, with Mark Schmeltzer, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Director of Communications.
For generations, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls has helped Chicago-area youth navigate serious challenges at home, at school, and in their communities. Its services combine stable residential support with counseling, academic assistance, mentoring, career preparation, and ongoing support for former residents and families. Together, these programs help young people move toward greater well-being, confidence, and independence.
IPS hopes to deepen its community engagement with Mercy Home for Boys and Girls through the grant by providing mentoring opportunities and offering talks that engage youth in discussions about career exploration, college preparation, and stress management.
To learn more about Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and support its mission visit www.mercyhome.org.
Advancing Recovery and Mental Health Care for Individuals in Need
PPCG Second Place Winner: Harbor House
Nominated by: Mississippi Psychiatric Association (MPA)
Chris O’Gwen, FAIRCO Executive Vice President and CEO, presenting the grant to Angela Ladner, MPA Executive Director.
Since 1973, Harbor House has provided residential addiction treatment to adults in Mississippi, including individuals who may face significant barriers to care. Its structured programs combine counseling, recovery education, peer support, life-skills development, and medical coordination to help clients work toward sustained recovery and a successful return to their communities.
The grant will help strengthen the collaboration between MPA members and the Harbor House treatment team. This collaboration will support earlier identification and treatment of psychiatric conditions, improved stabilization during recovery, and stronger continuity of care after discharge. PPCG funding will also create opportunities for staff training, the development of more structured programming for co-occurring disorders and the implementation of best practices in trauma-informed care.
To learn more about Harbor House and support the organization, visit www.hhjackson.org.
Improving Access to Mental Health Treatment Through Insurance Advocacy and Education
PPCG Third Place Winner: Cover My Mental Health
Nominated by: San Diego Psychiatric Society (SDPS)
Chris O’Gwen, FAIRCO Executive Vice President and CEO, presenting the grant to Karla Lapic, SDPS Executive Director.
Cover My Mental Health helps patients and families respond to insurance-related obstacles that may interfere with timely mental health care. Through free informational resources, the organization explains practical options for addressing denied claims, limited provider networks, medical necessity determinations, and other coverage concerns. Originally created to support patients struggling to secure insurance coverage for mental health services, the organization continues to expand its impact through advocacy education, and partnerships that promote equitable access to care.
With this grant SDPS and Cover My Mental Health will develop and deliver a three-part continuing medical education (CME) course designed specifically for psychiatrists and mental health providers. The course will provide practical, skills-based training to help providers navigate and address insurance barriers.
The partnership reflects SDPS’s commitment to advancing both clinical excellence and systemic advocacy. By leveraging Cover My Mental Health’s subject matter expertise and SDPS’ network of practicing psychiatrists, this collaboration will benefit clinicians and, by extension, the patients they serve.
To learn more about Cover My Mental Health and support organizations making a meaningful difference in their communities visit www.covermymentalhealth.org.
Learn more about the recipients of the 2024 and 2025 PRMS Partners in the Community Grants. winners.
PRMS is proud to support organizations making a meaningful difference in their communities. Click here to learn more about PRMS.
Authored by PRMS.