Florida Atlantic University is launching a free mental health counseling program for children and families in Palm Beach County, a region that has long struggled with a shortage of pediatric mental health services.
The program, called OWLS-FLY, is based in the education building on FAU’s Boca Raton campus and is led by researchers Kelly Emelianchik-Key and Alex Fields. The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County provided a $1.2 million grant to fund it over three years.
OWLS-FLY will offer group, individual and family counseling for kids ages 6 through 17, along with parental support sessions. The space is still being set up, with rooms for in-person therapy and a room for telehealth. Emelianchik-Key said the first clients are expected to be seen in January.
Fields said families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities have told researchers that waitlists for local clinicians can stretch for months. The program also gives master’s students and recent graduates supervised work experience. The Children’s Services Council hopes to study the results and eventually expand similar services.
