THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGIN JULY 1ST. WELL, THERE IS A NEW WAY TO HELP CHILDREN WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, REPORTER CALEB CALIFANO SHOWS US THE NEW MOBILE HEALTH UNIT THAT YOU’LL SEE DRIVING AROUND THE AREA. IT’S DEFINITELY A COLORFUL BUS FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT ON THE INSIDE, IT’S A MOBILE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR KIDS. WHEN YOU WALK INSIDE THE CENTER FOR CHILD COUNSELING’S NEW MENTAL HEALTH MOBILE UNIT, YOU’LL SEE IT FILLED WITH GAMES, TOYS, AND BRIGHT COLORS, CREATING A SAFE AND WELCOMING SPACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN EXPRESS THEMSELVES. SO WE DO HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES, GAMES. WE HAVE AV SYSTEM AND VIDEOS FOR KIDS TO DO, REALLY TO PRACTICE VARIOUS SKILLS, SOCIAL SKILLS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, YOU KNOW, CONFLICT RESOLUTION WITH EACH OTHER. THE CENTER FOR CHILD COUNSELING TELLS ME THE UNIT IS DESIGNED TO BE MOBILE, RESPONDING TO SPECIFIC NEEDS AND ZIP CODES WHERE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IS NEEDED MOST. THAT’S THE KEY BECAUSE DUE TO OUR DATA DASHBOARD THAT WE DO HAVE AT OUR COUNSELING, WE CAN SPOT AND SEE WHERE THE NEED IS. SO WHICH ZIP CODE IS THE NEED? IT’S ALSO NOT JUST ABOUT TREATMENT BUT PREVENTION, EARLY INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES. WE ALWAYS SAY WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A CHILD TO FALL APART EMOTIONALLY BEFORE WE DO SOMETHING. EXPERTS HERE IN THE CENTER TELL ME 1 IN 4 CHILDREN IN FLORIDA STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND MANY NEVER GET THE HELP THEY NEED. THEY HOPE THIS MOBILE UNIT WILL HELP WITH THAT. IN
Mobile mental health unit aims to reach more children in Palm Beach County
Updated: 2:21 PM EDT Jun 17, 2025
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The newly launched mental health mobile unit from the Center for Child Counseling in West Palm Beach is filled with games, toys and bright colors, creating a safe and welcoming space where children can express themselves and learn through play.“So we know play is the kids’ language, right? Toys are the words,” said Dominika Nolan, senior director of development. “We have a lot of activities, games and videos for kids to practice various skills, social skills, communication skills and conflict resolution.”Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 The mobile unit was built with flexibility in mind. The team uses data to track where mental health needs are highest, allowing them to bring resources directly into underserved neighborhoods.“That’s the key,” Nolan said. “We can spot and see where the need is, which ZIP code and what the presenting symptom is.”Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.The initiative focuses not only on treatment but also on prevention and early intervention, areas often overlooked in children’s mental health services.“We always say we don’t have to wait for a child to fall apart emotionally before we do something,” said Renee Layman, the center’s president and CEO.According to the center, 1 in 4 children in Florida struggles with mental health issues, and most never receive the help they need. Organizers hope this mobile unit will begin to close that gap by reaching families directly in their communities.Top headlines:Delray Beach family chooses to stay in Israel during conflict with Iran
The newly launched mental health mobile unit from the Center for Child Counseling in West Palm Beach is filled with games, toys and bright colors, creating a safe and welcoming space where children can express themselves and learn through play.
“So we know play is the kids’ language, right? Toys are the words,” said Dominika Nolan, senior director of development. “We have a lot of activities, games and videos for kids to practice various skills, social skills, communication skills and conflict resolution.”
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
The mobile unit was built with flexibility in mind. The team uses data to track where mental health needs are highest, allowing them to bring resources directly into underserved neighborhoods.
“That’s the key,” Nolan said. “We can spot and see where the need is, which ZIP code and what the presenting symptom is.”
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
The initiative focuses not only on treatment but also on prevention and early intervention, areas often overlooked in children’s mental health services.
“We always say we don’t have to wait for a child to fall apart emotionally before we do something,” said Renee Layman, the center’s president and CEO.
According to the center, 1 in 4 children in Florida struggles with mental health issues, and most never receive the help they need. Organizers hope this mobile unit will begin to close that gap by reaching families directly in their communities.
Top headlines:
Delray Beach family chooses to stay in Israel during conflict with Iran
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