The Junior League of Cincinnati announced Tuesday that it plans to make improving care for childhood mental illness its top project for the next five years.

        In collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the Junior League plans to commit $150,000 in direct funding and at least 65 volunteers to a project it calls MindPeace.

        The goals of MindPeace include developing a mental wellness system for the area, increasing awareness about mental illness through a Web site and school programs, increasing respite services for families, and speaking out on mental health issues such as weak insurance coverage for families and poor reimbursement for mental health treatment providers.

        “Our project will be a comprehensive, communitywide program resulting in a hub for mental wellness, education and advocacy for children,” said Junior League president Lauren Thaman-Hodges.

        The 1,000-member Junior League has a long history of influence in civic projects, including roles in the early development of the ProKids juvenile court advocacy agency for abused and neglected children, the Fernside center for grieving children, and the Children's Museum at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

        The group's involvement was praised Tuesday by families with children suffering mental disorders and by officials from Children's Hospital, who say Cincinnati suffers a clear shortage of mental health services for young people..

        Tuesday's Junior League announcement comes nearly a month after an Aug. 6 report that criticized the state of behavioral health care services in Greater Cincinnati for people of all ages.

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