Using Grants To Build a Community Movement
One of the best parts of this work is seeing what happens when local organizations come together with a shared sense of purpose and a plan.
That’s exactly what we’ve seen through the collaboration between Modern Jane Solutions, Dalton State College, and Dalton Public Schools.
In 2024, the Community Foundation invested in this partnership to strengthen mental health services for students and families in our community. Over the past year, it’s become a model of what consequential grantmaking looks like, showing that thoughtful funding can create systems that serve people better, faster, and more completely.
A Framework for Change
The Foundation’s grant—part of a total $71,000 community investment—helped Modern Jane Solutions and Dalton Public Schools expand access to therapy beyond the existing Student Assistance Program.
In just one year, 1,102 counseling sessions were provided for students and families.
What’s most impressive isn’t the number of sessions, though; it’s the quality of care. The program was designed to provide not only short-term support, but also longer-term psychotherapy (6–12 sessions or more) tailored to each student’s needs.
And when a child is struggling, the response time matters. Intake appointments were typically scheduled within 1–3 business days, a remarkable turnaround in the world of mental health.
Cultural Competence as a Core Value
One of the reasons this partnership works so well is that it understands Dalton.
Of the 1,100+ sessions held, 108 involved Spanish-speaking parents, and every member of the operational team is bilingual. That means families are being served and understood.
True cultural competence isn’t just about language. It’s about connection, trust, and making people feel seen. This program allows parents, siblings, and children to participate in care together, which leads to more sustainable outcomes and stronger homes.
“Without parent involvement, our ability to serve students well is limited,” Liz Hubbs, LCSW explained. “Now, we’re seeing families move toward wellness together.”
Innovation Rooted in Stewardship
This partnership has become a textbook example of stewardship and innovation working hand in hand.
Therapists reassess each case every five sessions to ensure care remains clinically appropriate. That’s good stewardship, ensuring every dollar is well spent.
The team also achieved an 86% conversion rate from referral to appointment, thanks to close communication between the Modern Jane Solutions team, school social workers, and administrators.
Layers of clinical supervision, mentoring, and training across the team mean new therapists gain experience without creating long waitlists. The result is a pilot program with a more responsive, better-prepared network of care for the students who need it most.
From Pilot to Partnership
This one-year pilot blew our expectations out of the water, and now we have a strong foundation for the future.
With the success of this grant, Modern Jane Solutions is now expanding partnerships to Calhoun City Schools and Whitfield County Schools and has secured state-allocated funding to continue mental health services for students in grades 6–12.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Community Foundation,” said Liz Hubbs of Modern Jane Solutions. “This initial grant positioned us for multi-year state funding. It allowed us to innovate and respond to needs more quickly, and to serve families earlier.”
The Bigger Picture For Charitable Giving With Impact
This is what we mean when we talk about consequential grantmaking. It’s not just about giving money; it’s about helping the right people, at the right time, build the right systems.
When we build proactive philanthropy systems, the return on investment is enormous. In this instance, as our nation continues to grapple with mental health challenges, in Dalton, Georgia, we have built a solid structure for building a healthier community:
Students get faster access to care.
Families find trust and support.
Schools become safer, more connected environments.
Our community gains a stronger, sustainable model that can scale beyond city limits.
The Community Foundation didn’t create this success story, but we’re proud to have been part of it.
When local people, organizations, and leaders work together with purpose, with proactive philanthropy and a shared vision, the impact is always bigger than any one grant. It becomes a reflection of what’s possible when a community chooses to care strategically.
Learn more about Dalton State College Social Work program here.
Learn more about Modern Jane Solutions here.
Learn more about Dalton Public Schools Health and Wellness programs, click here.