FORT MYERS, Fla. - s4story -- Crisis Prevention & Empowerment (CPE), a nonprofit dedicated to providing free and affordable mental health support throughout Southwest Florida, has received a $25,000 grant through the Florida Blue Foundation's Sapphire Awards program.

The grant will support CPE's crisis intervention, behavioral health and wrap-around supportive services. CPE provides accessible, low- or no-cost mental health services to thousands of individuals across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The organization provides a safe and reliable place for those in need of mental health support, including children, teens, adults, seniors, veterans, and families.

"To be named a recipient of the Sapphire Award is a tremendous honor," said Heather Cross, CEO of Crisis Prevention & Empowerment. "These funds will help CPE expand its efforts to better the lives of individuals across our region through counseling, crisis intervention and more."

The philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue, the Foundation presented the Sapphire Awards to nine honorees at the Foundation's annual Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards on April 16. Since 2005, the Foundation has presented 163 Sapphire Awards, totaling $8.5 million. The funds have been used to advance programming and initiatives of the awardees.

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CPE offers outpatient counseling, round-the-clock crisis intervention and wrap-around services with no limitations on age, background or income. CPE collaborates with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to provide mental health and substance abuse support for adolescents and teens in Southwest Florida.

To learn more about CPE, visit CPECares.org or call 239-689-8490.

About Crisis Prevention & Empowerment (CPE)
Founded in 2014 as the Center for Progress and Excellence in Fort Myers, Crisis Prevention & Empowerment fills a pressing gap in crisis mental health care across Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties. CPE aims to provide short-term social services to individuals in Southwest Florida and to facilitate the establishment of long-term social and behavioral health services that meet the needs of those communities. CPE offers immediate, 24/7 crisis care, mental health counseling and support for youth in the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice system. To learn more about CPE, visit CPECares.org or call 239-689-8490.