Tuscaloosa Nonprofit Launches Program To Provide Counseling To Area Students

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation has launched a new mental health initiative aimed at expanding access to counseling services for students across the Tuscaloosa area.

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The A.C.C.E.S.S. Program, which stands for Awareness, Counseling, Connection, Empowerment, Safety & Support, will provide free, confidential counseling sessions for students in both Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County School System.

The foundation is also investing $50,000 to ensure students can receive up to five sessions with licensed mental-health professionals.

The counseling services will be delivered in partnership with Jenkins-Richardson & Associates Counseling & Consulting.

The program is open to students ages 9–14, targeting those in grades 3 through 8 who may be struggling with stress, emotional challenges or other pressures.

Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation Executive Director JacQuan D. Winters said the organization recognizes the barriers to accessing mental-health services and hopes this initiative helps bridge the gap

“A.C.C.E.S.S. provides students with timely, compassionate, and professional support to make sure their mental-health needs are met,” he said.

Kimberly Jenkins-Richardson, executive director of Jenkins-Richardson & Associates, said her practice is honored to join the effort.

“This program fills a crucial gap in youth mental-health access in our community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support students through safe, accessible, and compassionate counseling services,” she said.

Local school officials also welcomed the new partnership. Tesney Davis, administrator of mental health and social services for Tuscaloosa City Schools, said the grant will make a difference for local students.

“We are deeply grateful to the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation for their generous grant supporting free counseling services for students in Tuscaloosa City Schools,” Davis said. “This funding will make an immediate and meaningful impact by removing barriers to mental-health care and ensuring students can access high-quality, timely, and professional support when they need it most.”

The foundation also acknowledged support from several major sponsors, including the Daniel Foundation, the Hewson Family Foundation, the National Association of REALTORS®, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Foundation.

More information about the A.C.C.E.S.S. Program is available online or by emailing access@kristenamersonyouth.org.

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