This year’s Reinventing Delaware winner is revolutionizing mental health care for adults with disabilities—a population disproportionately affected by mental health challenges.
A 2020 study revealed that 17.4 million adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress at a rate 4.6 times higher than adults without disabilities. This distress often correlates with adverse health behaviors, increased use of healthcare services, and the development of chronic conditions, yet access to mental health care remains a significant obstacle.
For many with disabilities, the problem isn’t just access—it’s that existing mental health services aren’t designed to meet their unique needs. This is where Toivoa, a groundbreaking initiative championed by Laura Randa and this year’s Reinventing Delaware winner, steps in.
Toivoa addresses critical gaps in mental health care for the 70 million Americans with disabilities. The platform provides evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered on-demand by licensed clinical psychologists, paired with personalized support from National Board for Health and Wellness (NBHWC) board-certified mental health coaches.
Randa’s determination to create Toivoa came from her own family experience. During the pandemic, her daughter, who was diagnosed with hearing loss, faced the overwhelming challenge of finding a therapist equipped to address her unique challenges. After searching for therapists who understood her daughter’s challenges, they finally found a psychologist who delivered the right support through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
This experience highlighted a glaring issue in mental health care: the lack of accessible, inclusive, and tailored support for individuals with disabilities. Determined to make a difference, Laura created Toivoa—a solution designed to ensure others don’t face the same struggles.
Toivoa’s mission is to break down barriers to mental health care while fostering inclusivity. Their Toivoa Coaching Academy trains individuals with disabilities to become certified mental health coaches, creating fulfilling job opportunities and ensuring that care is delivered by those with lived experiences. Over the next 18 months, the initiative will create 100 high-demand, better-paying jobs for individuals with disabilities or their caregivers. By 2031, Toivoa plans to generate over 600 new roles spanning the corporate, technology, marketing, and clinical sectors.
Toivoa, 2024 Reinventing Delaware Winner
The Reinventing Delaware initiative, hosted annually by the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, is a platform for bold, visionary ideas. The process begins at the Reinventing Delaware Dinner, where approximately 100 participants share their concepts.
The top ideas, selected through collaboration and audience engagement, move on to the incubator phase. Here, participants receive critical resources to refine their projects, from mentorship to strategic guidance. Ultimately, these efforts culminate in the announcement of the winning idea at the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation Award event.
This year, Toivoa has captured the attention of the Reinventing Delaware community, offering an innovative solution to a growing need: accessible, inclusive mental health care. The proposal, which was one of the three finalists in the initiative, focuses on training and job creation for individuals with disabilities or caregivers of someone with a disability. Toivoa exemplifies the spirit of Reinventing Delaware by addressing a critical need with innovation, compassion, and expertise.
Toivoa: Breaking Barriers in Mental Health Care
Delaware is facing a critical shortage of mental health professionals, with only 11.6% of needs being met. By breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities, Toivoa is paving the way for a brighter future for individuals with disabilities and their communities.
Toivoa’s dual treatment model combines evidence-based CBT with personalized coaching from NBHWC-certified professionals, setting a new standard for mental health care. This affordable, high-quality solution reduces long wait times and fosters faster recovery—an approach that can be replicated across states and countries.
Since May, Toivoa has secured twelve contracts with regional health institutions and plans to continue expanding partnerships, addressing the industry’s need for job creation. Each board-certified mental health coach will be assigned to a health institution or employer, serving individuals with disabilities as part of the dual mental health treatment model.
Support Reinventing Delaware and the Mission of PDFF
Each year, Reinventing Delaware sparks fresh ideas and bold visions for our state’s future, serving as a launchpad for transforming innovative ideas into actionable solutions. You can play a vital role in this journey.
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Reinventing Delaware 2025. Sponsorships go beyond the dinner – they sustain the robust idea development process that continues through 2025, helping turn visionary concepts into thriving enterprises. Your sponsorship support will be recognized all year long, culminating in the announcement of the 2025 winner.
If sponsorship isn’t the right fit, donations are always welcome. Every dollar directly benefits PDFF’s mission to promote our country’s spirit of private enterprise by fostering access to the marketplace for every entrepreneur and their ideas.
Join Us in Shaping Delaware’s Future
Together, we can continue building a brighter future for Delaware. For more information on sponsorships or donations, contact Stephanie Johnnie at [email protected].