WellSky® Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to Expand Mobile Play Therapy for Kansas City Children
Grant to The Children’s Place will expand mobile mental health services that bring trauma-informed care directly to schools and early education centers
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — June 10, 2026 — The WellSky Foundation today announced a $50,000 grant to The Children’s Place to support the expansion of “The Children’s Place on Wheels,” a mobile therapy unit that delivers trauma-informed mental health services directly to schools and early education centers across the Kansas City region. By bringing care into communities, the program helps remove transportation barriers that often prevent children and families from accessing treatment.
The Children’s Place has served as Kansas City’s specialized trauma treatment center for young children and families since 1978. Through counseling, assessments, family support, and innovative outreach programs, the organization helps children heal from trauma and build healthier futures. The Children’s Place on Wheels currently visits four elementary schools and two early childhood centers each week, with 24 children currently receiving individual play therapy sessions on the custom retrofitted bus.
“A child’s ability to receive mental health care should never depend on whether they have reliable transportation,” said Brett Fuller, executive director of the WellSky Foundation. “Transportation is one of the core focus areas of the WellSky Foundation because access to care begins with the ability to reach it. The Children’s Place is meeting children where they already are, in schools and community settings, and this grant will help extend that support to even more families across our community.”
Transportation challenges continue to prevent many children and families from receiving consistent mental health care, particularly in underserved communities. Mobile outreach programs help close that gap by delivering services directly where children learn and grow, ensuring more children can access trauma-informed care without the burden of travel or transportation limitations.
“The Children’s Place is deeply grateful for the support of the WellSky Foundation,” said Polly Howard, vice president of development & communications at The Children’s Place. “This investment will help us reach more children and families with trauma-informed mental health care and continue expanding access to services for children who need support the most.”
The Children’s Place serves hundreds of children and families annually through its trauma-informed programs and community partnerships throughout the Kansas City metro.
The WellSky Foundation partners with organizations addressing the social determinants of health — including transportation, food insecurity, housing, isolation, and education — to expand equitable access to care and strengthen community well-being. Since 2019, the WellSky Foundation has donated nearly $4 million to more than 40 organizations.
Media Contact
Name: Alyssa Bruce
Email: wellskypr@walkersands.com
About WellSky® Foundation
The WellSky Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations by removing social barriers to health, recovery, and lasting wellness. The WellSky Foundation is an engine for change, financially supporting organizations that enable care and healing for people, regardless of socioeconomic status. With a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, the WellSky Foundation partners with community organizations that are boldly addressing the top four socioeconomic factors affecting long-term wellness — housing, food insecurity, transportation, and isolation. The WellSky Foundation is committed to funding and supporting organizations that protect the people and communities they serve and create better outcomes for people in need. Together with our community partners, the WellSky Foundation is breaking down social barriers to health and wellness to build thriving communities. To learn more about the WellSky Foundation, visit wellskyfoundation.org.
About The Children’s Place
The Children’s Place is Kansas City’s specialized trauma treatment center serving the mental health needs of young children since 1978. A national leader in the children’s mental health field, for nearly 50 years The Children’s Place has been a resource for children and families who have experienced traumatic events. Early intervention and mental health care can help change the life trajectory for young children so they can live healthy, happy lives. Learn more at ChildrensPlaceKC.org.
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