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Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act provides funding for counselors in schools

Posted at 9:41 AM, Feb 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-13 09:41:46-05

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act provides funding for counselors in schools.

When it comes to mental health, that counseling is available for children of all ages.

Local professionals say helping elementary age children and older youngsters deal with a trauma could give them coping skills in the future.

Judge James Martz is a judge in juvenile courts at the Palm Beach County Courthouse. "Everything that is a red flag in a child's life early that we are capable of gathering in this information society that we live in is an opportunity."

But helping kids goes beyond school.

Patrick McNamara is with Palm Health Foundation. He says they want to help students and their families. "In terms of recognizing the early signs, if you will, when somebody is having a struggle in terms of social and emotional well-being. And so having counselors in the schools and being able to intervene early is definitely a good thing."

The Palm Health Foundation has joined forces with other organizations to increase behavioral health for children and their families.