Pensacola, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2025) – Lakeview Center, Northwest Florida’s most comprehensive behavioral health provider, has been awarded $567,305 from Covenant Care Foundation to sustain essential psychiatry services for uninsured adults living with mental illness and substance use disorders.
The grant will provide funding and support for three psychiatric nurse practitioners, who will provide care for approximately 2,772 uninsured community members — representing more than 9,000 treatment episodes each year.
“This generous support from Covenant Care Foundation comes at a critical time,” said Shawn Salamida, president of Lakeview Center. “The need for psychiatric care in our community continues to grow, especially among those without insurance. This funding ensures that people in crisis can continue to receive the help they need, when they need it most.”
Lakeview Center’s psychiatry program continues to demonstrate exceptional outcomes:
- Customer satisfaction: 4.99 out of 5
- Patient retention: 61% of clients remain in care for more than 12 months, surpassing national averages
- Effectiveness: 84% of patients show measurable improvement in daily functioning
- Reduced no-show rate: 23%, significantly below the national average of up to 40%
As northwest Florida’s largest safety-net behavioral health provider, Lakeview Center serves more than 28,000 individuals annually. Despite increasing service demand, funding for uninsured patients has not kept pace — making this grant vital for sustaining access to life-saving psychiatric care.
“We’re proud to partner with Covenant Care Foundation in strengthening the mental health safety net for our region,” Salamida added. “Together, we’re helping thousands of individuals and families build healthier, more stable lives.”