Barnabas Connection receives incubation grant

The Barnabas Connection has received a $50,000 incubation grant from the St. David’s Foundation to fund lowcost mental health services in the Wimberley Community. The grant will sustain their Clinical Services program.

By receiving the grant, Barnabas will be able to reinvest 100% of the funds that individuals pay for the services back into the program. Based on what they earn, individuals will pay for services they receive on a sliding scale donation which Barnabas will in turn put back into the program. This reinvestment contributes to its long-term sustainability.

Any family or individual who lives within the Wimberley Independent School District Attendance Zone and any first responder, educator or school employee who works within the zone are eligible.

“We are grateful to receive this grant from St. David’s Foundation and are honored to be part of their continued commitment to advancing the health equity of Central Texas,” said Kate Sowell, Executive Director for Barnabas Connection.

Through their research, Barnabas learned that equitable access to mental health services was needed in the Wimberley area.

“Wimberley faces increased mental healthcare needs and a shortage of providers and community resources,” Sowell continued. “There are no providers who currently accept Medicare and Medicaid clients. For those with private insurance, the wait times for an initial appointment is several weeks to months and many government and non-profit services are located thirty minutes or more away. Our program meets needs in our immediate area.”

Barnabas Connection’s Clinical Services program was initially funded by local donors. Beginning in August 2023, those who contributed were the Wimberley Lions Club, the Wimberley Knights of Columbus, Don and Harpie Montague, the Wimberley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6441 and the John Thompson Veterans Mental Health Fund.

St. David’s Foundation is one of the largest health foundations in the United States, funding over $80 million annually in a five-county area surrounding Austin, Texas. Through their partnership with St. David’s HealthCare, they reinvest proceeds from the hospital system back into the community, with the goal of advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of underserved Central Texas individuals.

To learn more about Barnabas Connection visit barnabasconnect. org.