
Jan 17 Meet Monique Jackson
While the person who serves as Staunton Farm Foundation’s executive director has changed, the mission and vision of our organization remain the same. I am excited about what the future holds for the Foundation and our partners in the ten southwestern Pennsylvania counties we serve.
Our priority is to advance the work of mental health and substance use treatment by supporting non-profit human services organizations through grants. We are eager to partner with organizations that:
- Innovate to bring new services to the mental health and substance use space.
- Advocate for the individuals they serve and healthcare reform.
- Collaborate with other organizations to remove barriers for individuals seeking services.
Staunton Farm Foundation is committed to communication and education to raise awareness around the priority areas for mental health and substance use services. Our Rural Behavioral Mental Health Conference is one of the ways we do this. I am so excited for this bi-annual event, which will take place this fall. As I am meeting with provider partners, I am soliciting their input to make this event one that is both informative and motivating. Additional information will be shared on our website this spring.
My professional career has been devoted to mental health/substance use services and advocacy for health equity. There are policy and system changes needed to advance the work of our provider partners. The system is complex – not the individuals and families our provider partners serve. I understand that changes take time but, how long it will take is a question still left to be answered. I remain hopeful that change will come soon, and we can see people thrive in the way that our founder, Matilda Staunton Craig, envisioned.
If you believe that policy change is needed in this space, I kindly ask you advocate, educate, and most importantly, do not give up. The individuals, families, and communities that your organizations serve deserve it!