Impact the Palm Beaches Grantee Spotlight: Community Partners of South Florida

Healing Trauma, Transforming Lives

In 2019, Impact the Palm Beaches awarded a $24,000 grant to Community Partners of South

Florida (CPSFL) to launch a vital initiative--training clinicians in Trauma-Focused Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Today, the echoes of that investment are stronger than ever, as

CPSFL continues to expand its impact on children and families affected by trauma across Palm Beach County.

A Powerful Start with Long-Term Impact

With support from Impact the Palm Beaches, CPSFL successfully trained 23 master's-level

therapists in the evidence-based TF-CBT model. This treatment framework, proven to support

children and adolescents navigating the effects of trauma, blends therapeutic techniques with caregiver involvement. Through classroom education and six months of supervised practice, clinicians became equipped to help young people process and overcome experiences of abuse, neglect, and loss.

One particularly moving story is that of "Emma," a teenager who carried the invisible weight of years of abuse. Through TF-CBT, Emma was able to confront her trauma, reclaim her voice, and move forward with confidence. Her journey reflects the real-life transformation this therapy makes possible--not just for individuals, but for entire families.

Telehealth and Technology: Expanding Access

In addition to clinical training, the grant helped CPSFL expand its telehealth services, a move that proved prescient in preparing the organization to serve clients during and beyond the pandemic. Today, over 70 CPSFL clinicians are trained in telehealth, breaking down traditional barriers such as transportation, childcare, and scheduling challenges. This technological shift has enabled broader access to care and laid the groundwork for future psychiatric service offerings.

Sustaining the Momentum

Since the completion of the original grant, CPSFL has not only maintained its commitment to

trauma-informed care--it has grown. In a recent update, CEO Kelly Powell shared that CPSFL has expanded to include group therapy, while embracing a client-centered, data-driven approach to improve outcomes. Under the leadership of Dr. Kaisha Thomas, the organization's new Vice President of Child and Family Mental Health Services, CPSFL has reduced wait times and improved its referral system by leveraging Salesforce analytics.

Recognizing that insurance coverage can be a barrier to mental health care, CPSFL recently

became an in-network provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, significantly expanding access for

underserved families.

Looking Ahead

CPSFL remains committed to building resilience and hope throughout our community. The seed funding from Impact the Palm Beaches catalyzed a movement that continues to grow--ensuring that trauma does not define a child's future, but rather, becomes a chapter in a much larger story of healing and strength.

We are proud to spotlight CPSFL and grateful for their tireless work. Their dedication to "meeting

people where they are"--physically, emotionally, and logistically--embodies the kind of impact we aim to make through our collective giving.

To learn more about their work, visit cpsfl.org.