The application period is open for the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness’ annual John Kovacs Scholarship award, designed for individuals who identify as having mental health and/or substance use experience, also known as “Peers.”

The scholarship program was made available through a donation from the John Kovacs Revocable Trust, which was gifted to Behavioral Wellness.

To honor the memory of John Kovacs, the department established a memorial scholarship that awards up to two $2,500 scholarships annually.

Applications are due by Sept. 30. They will be scored in October and the 2025 John Kovacs scholarship recipients will be named at the annual Peer celebration in late November or early December.

For Peers interested in applying, the application can be found online and completed in English here and in Spanish here.

“The scholarship helped me catch up on debts, which opened the door to saving, finding stable housing, and balancing work and college,” said 2024 Kovacs awardee Arthur Marroquin.

“Being seen and supported made a difference not only in my life, but in my children’s, who proudly celebrated with me at graduation,” Marroquin said.
 
“This award gave me more than financial help, it restored my faith in people,” said 2024 awardee Vincent Saucedo.

“It brought me security, shelter and hope at a time when anger felt easier than gratitude. It renewed my hope and inspired me to pay it forward,” Saucedo said.

Recipients, as people who embody tenacity, resiliency and overcoming of barriers are selected through a committee process.

Applicants must self-identify as having lived experience in the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both; either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer.

In addition, applicants must show a demonstrated need and explain how these funds will help bridge an important gap, address an unmet necessity, or make a significant difference in helping to achieve a life changing goal.

Learn more about the county Department of Behavioral Wellness, visit https://www.countyofsb.org/274/Behavioral-Wellness.

For assistance accessing Behavioral Wellness services, call the 24/7 toll free Crisis Response and Services Access Line, 888-868-1649.