The Tri-Cities’ free health care provider has received a big lift to expand its ability to serve the mental health needs of its hundreds of clients.

Cambia Health Foundation recently awarded a $40,000 grant to Grace Clinic to train new mental health counselors who will provide approximately 800 free counseling sessions to more than 200 clients, according to a release. Those counselors, who will be interns pursuing master’s degrees, will be mentored by Dr. Cynthia Prezler, the clinic’s director of counseling. 

“This project not only expands access to desperately needed care, but also builds the local behavioral health workforce for years to come,” said Avonte Jackson, Grace Clinic’s executive director, in a statement. “By helping people heal from trauma and build resilience, we’re strengthening entire households – creating healthier parents, partners and employees.” 

According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, Benton County has one mental health provider for every 350 people. In Franklin County, the ratio is one to 720. The state average is one provider for every 250 people. 

The grant, which Grace Clinic was one of 12 to receive out of a pool of nearly 100 applicants, will continue the health care provider’s history of building up the mental health workforce. The clinic has trained more than 50 graduate-level counseling interns, each completing up to 600 hours of supervised work required to graduate. Once licensed, 90% of them have remained in the Tri-Cities area, helping hundreds more people every year. 

Grace Clinic provides its services free of charge with 300 providers and others who volunteer at its facility at 800 W. Canal Drive in Kennewick.