GCHT Awarded Grant for Positive Coaching & Mental Wellness Response Initiative for Youth Athletics

The Global Center on Human Trafficking (GCHT) received a $5,000 grant to support the development of the Positive Coaching & Mental Wellness Response Initiative for Youth Athletics in collaboration with MYAA and MRPGS.

Led by Ashlee Martellacci, Project Coordinator, under the direction of Dr. Daniela Peterka-Benton, Principal Investigator, the initiative will develop an online Positive Coaching and Team Culture curriculum and a Critical Incident Response Toolkit. These resources will equip youth coaches and athletic organizations with practical tools to foster positive team environments, support youth mental wellness, and respond effectively to critical incidents.

Grant funding will support curriculum development, instructional design, community collaboration, and program evaluation, with an emphasis on creating accessible, sustainable resources for youth athletics.