In Her Honor
Access Fund
Because healing through creativity shouldn't depend on your bank account.
The In Her Honor Access Fund was created to celebrate the life and legacy of Kelsey Pokalsky, a gifted music therapist whose compassion, creativity, and deep commitment to community continue to inspire everything we do at START.
This fund exists for one reason: to make sure that cost isn't the thing standing between someone and the support they need.
Whether you're uninsured, choosing to waive your insurance benefits, or just in a season where things are tight, this fund helps bridge the gap so you can access creative arts therapy without carrying the full financial weight alone.
100% of what is raised through the In Her Honor Access Fund goes directly toward therapy services and community-based programming. Every dollar funds care.
Support from this fund can be applied toward a range of creative arts therapy services at START, including:
Music Therapy
Clinical Intake & Evaluation Sessions
Dance/ Movement Therapy
Art Therapy
Drama Therapy
Therapeutic Workshops & Groups
(when facilitated by licensed clinicians with a clinical or trauma-informed goal)
Awards typically cover up to 12 individual weekly sessions or may be applied as partial assistance to reduce your out-of-pocket cost for therapeutic workshops or groups.
No money is ever given directly to recipients. All support is applied as credit toward services delivered by licensed clinicians at START.
This fund is open to anyone experiencing financial hardship or limited access to mental health care.
You may qualify if any of the following apply to you:
You are uninsured
Creative arts therapy (LCAT services) is not a covered benefit under your insurance plan
LCAT services are out-of-network with high out-of-pocket costs
You have in-network insurance but are choosing to opt out of using those benefits to access services through this fund
You are enrolled in public benefit programs such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or SSI/SSD
You are facing temporary financial hardship (job loss, caregiving responsibilities, major medical expenses)
You are a student or young adult with limited financial support
You are transitioning off parental insurance or employer-based coverage
Please note: Financial assistance through this fund cannot be applied to services that are eligible for coverage under an active in-network insurance plan. If you are currently insured through Cigna or Healthfirst and your plan covers LCAT or psychotherapy services, those benefits must be used first. Applicants who wish to access the fund while holding in-network coverage will be asked to waive the use of those benefits for the duration of the award.
Eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need and is assessed using federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines published by HHS. Households earning at or below 200% of the FPL may qualify for full assistance, while those earning between 200% and 300% may qualify for partial assistance depending on documented hardship and available funding. All recipients contribute a minimum of $20 per session as a personal investment in their care.
Our Process
Step 1
Complete & Submit Your Application
Fill out the application form, which includes basic information about your household and finances, a brief personal statement describing your barrier to care, and supporting documentation (such as a recent pay stub, tax return, or benefits letter).
Step 2
Review & Decision
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You'll receive a response within 2 to 3 weeks of submission. If anything is missing, you'll be notified and given 7 days to submit the remaining items.
Step 3
Begin Services
Once approved, you'll need to begin services within 10 business days to maintain eligibility. START's team will work with you on scheduling and clinician placement based on clinical fit and availability.
Important Things to Know
Approval is based on available funding and is not guaranteed. Awards are granted on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who meet eligibility criteria and submit complete documentation. The fund operates on an annual cycle aligned with the In Her Honor fundraising event, and START reserves the right to modify or pause the program based on fund availability.
Recipients will receive a full agreement outlining all terms, including attendance expectations, duration, reapplication guidelines, and other program details before services begin.
Financial assistance cannot be applied to services covered by in-network insurance where contractual agreements prohibit fee adjustments, or to copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles restricted by payer contracts. Clients remain responsible for any balances not eligible for fund assistance.
Your application and participation are fully confidential. Only de-identified information is ever used for reporting or awareness purposes.