School board approves virtual intensive outpatient mental-health program contract

The Hillsborough County School Board unanimously approved a contract authorizing a virtual intensive outpatient program with Charlie Health to expand access to mental-health care for students.

Superintendent Van Ayers described the program as an evidence-based virtual intensive outpatient service intended for students demonstrating higher mental-health needs. The superintendent said the program aims to reduce crisis events such as Baker Acts and suicidal ideation and to improve students' emotional regulation and school functioning.

During the board discussion, Member Nikki Combs cited national and state data on children's mental-health conditions, noting that many students need greater support. "Between ages of 3 to 17, 21 percent of children are diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavior condition," Combs said, and argued the district must expand services to meet demand.

Board members said the contract complements existing school psychologists, social workers and site-based supports and will provide a higher-intensity option that families could access when clinically appropriate. The motion to approve the contract (agenda item C301) was moved by Member Lynn Gray and seconded by Member Karen Perez; the board voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

The district said partner providers will coordinate with families and school-based teams; the contract covers virtual therapy and structured group programming intended to deliver multiple hours of clinically supervised intervention per week for students with intensive needs.

Action: The board approved agenda item C301, authorizing the Charlie Health mental-health intensive outpatient services contract. The motion passed unanimously by members present.