New nonprofit asks Jackson/Teton County for $50k to expand mental wellness access

If you’ve been trying to find a counselor (or keep one in town), this is the kind of behind-the-scenes funding request that can matter. The Mental Wellness Collaborative—a nonprofit founded in 2022—has asked the Town of Jackson and Teton County for a combined $50,000 for FY27 to help lower barriers to behavioral health care, according to a new staff report: Health and Human Services Staff Report — Mental Wellness Collaborative Funding Request.

The request is split evenly: $25,000 from the county and $25,000 from the town, under “Behavioral Health Support.” The group says the money would support (1) subsidized office space for local mental health providers (to help them afford to practice here), (2) Spanish-language counseling access through a partnership with Sanarai (including subsidized/free sessions for low-income and uninsured residents), and (3) free or low-cost community programming like support groups and workshops.

For families, the practical question is whether this helps increase the number of providers who can stick around—and whether more kids and parents can get in the door earlier, before problems turn into crises. The application notes more than 100 community events hosted in 2025 and says tenant providers cover services that include youth support, trauma-informed care, and help for neurodivergent clients, with a requirement that providers offer a free community program each month in exchange for reduced rent.