FPN Florida Health Funders Member Network Meeting

Join fellow FPN FHF members to learn about how Gulf Coast Community Foundation is partnering with Centerstone on the Behavioral Response and Community Engagement (BRACE) program with the Venice Police Department. The program diverts non-violent, non-emergency 911 calls involving mental health issues to trained mental health professionals. BRACE Navigators proactively de-escalate and assess emotional well-being and connect individuals to services that promote stability and recovery. BRACE augments Venice Police Department’s Community Outreach Team by providing pre-crisis intervention and follow up with vulnerable residents experiencing mental health challenges.

Jenifer Johnston serves as Director of Community Leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation in Venice, Florida. Jennifer collaborates with nonprofit partners and diverse leaders to create opportunities for all to thrive. She plays a lead role in mission-driven grantmaking on behalf of donors and Gulf Coast’s Board of Directors. Jennifer develops and sustains initiatives to address regional priorities. Jennifer completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, promoting health education campaigns nationwide after earning a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kasey Ledford, Community Outreach Case Manager, Venice Police Department. While pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Kasey gained hands-on experience in senior home health care, building a strong foundation in compassionate, client-centered support. After earning her degree, she began her career as a Behavioral Health Technician and quickly advanced to an inpatient mental health and substance abuse counselor, working in crisis units and treatment facilities. In 2023, she earned her Master of Science in Addictions Counseling from Grand Canyon University. That same year, she joined the Venice Police Department as a Community Outreach Case Manager through a pilot program with the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and Gulf Coast Community Foundation and became a full-time City of Venice employee in October 2024. In her current role, she connects with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders—building trust, linking them to resources, and supporting their path toward recovery and independence and assists the Venice BRACE Navigators with day-to-day implementation of the program.

Jessica Kruger is the Director of Prevention and Intervention Services at Centerstone, bringing over 12 years of leadership experience in behavioral health. She has extensive experience working with youth, families, schools, courts, and law enforcement, supporting cross-system collaboration and effective service delivery. Her clinical background includes expertise in both mental health and substance use treatment, utilizing evidence-based, client-centered interventions.

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Member - Complimentary