PORTLAND, Ore. – The Regence Foundation has awarded a $27,000 grant to Old Mill Center for Children and Families in Corvallis to improve access to mental health care services for children in rural communities in Benton and Linn Counties. Over the past two years, Old Mill Center has seen a 45 percent increase in demand for this service, and the grant is expected to help about 150 children.

Old Mill Center notes that the need for services in rural communities is heightened by the lack of public transportation into Corvallis where more care options exist. The center will use the grant to hire a therapist to travel to rural schools in participating school districts, including Monroe, Alsea, Kings Valley Charter, Philomath and Adair Village.

"In rural communities, it can be especially difficult to connect children with the mental health services they need," said Peggy Maguire, Regence Foundation board chair. "By supporting Old Mill Center, our goal is to ensure children and their families don’t have to drive long distances for care – or worse, go without it."

The grant will extend therapy and support services to children at earlier stages of need, said Steve Golston, Ph.D., MBA, executive director of Old Mill Center. "Our goal is to help create resilient, stable children who succeed. We don’t want to see kids fall through the cracks in school or the health care community."