School district to hire four clinicians, adopt universal screener in updated mental‑health plan

The Levy County School Board on a unanimous voice vote approved the district's updated mental‑health plan, which shifts from primarily contracted counselors to hiring district employees and adds a universal screening tool for students.

The plan places four direct‑hire clinicians in schools, including a district mental‑health coordinator (a school psychologist), an additional licensed mental‑health counselor and a school counselor funded through the plan. "This is our plan in a nutshell," said Staff member (presenter), summarizing the staffing and program changes.

School officials said the change aims to embed clinicians in communities rather than rely on providers who visit one or two days a week. The presenter said one school had markedly better results when a clinician was stationed there more frequently, allowing stronger relationships and easier access to services. District staff also said one contracted psychologist will continue to be used for evaluations that are "in and out" work.

Why it matters: District leaders told the board the new staffing model should increase continuity of care, streamline referrals and catch students who "internalize" problems and historically have been missed by behavior‑based referrals.

Key elements adopted - Staffing: The plan funds a district‑level mental‑health coordinator (the school psychologist), an additional licensed mental‑health counselor, a school counselor paid from the fund and a behavior staff role at 50% paid from the same fund. District presenters said this will create four direct‑hire clinicians providing counseling services in schools instead of relying largely on contractors. - Placement: Officials said clinicians will be based in community schools: Bronson (elementary and middle/high), Chiefland, Williston (Dr. Pratt will remain at Williston Middle High and Williston Elementary), Joyce Bullock, Yankee Town and Cedar Key, with exact assignments to be set when hires are complete. - Screening and referral: The plan adopts "Insights," a universal screener that district staff said is competency‑based for kindergarten through eighth grade, available in English and Spanish and is administered virtually with audio support. The universal screener is intended to identify quiet, withdrawn or anxious students who previously were not referred as often as students whose disruptive behavior prompted referrals. - Professional learning and supports: The plan covers youth mental health first aid training, substitutes, stipends, travel and materials for program implementation. Quarterly treatment reviews were added to monitor student progress and refer students to outside services (wraparound care, CAT team, Meridian) where needed.

Discussion and next steps: Board members asked clarifying questions about who would be the coordinator and how evaluation services would be handled. Staff clarified Dr. Pratt is the district school psychologist and that contracted psychologist Mr. Jim Houston would continue to provide evaluations. Board members also asked whether the universal screener is available in Spanish; staff confirmed it is. The board approved the plan and the motion carried.

What the district did not say: The plan presentation did not specify hire dates, salaries for the new positions, exact counselor caseloads, or a detailed timeline for when each position would be filled; staff said vacancies remain and that hiring is in process. Those figures were "not specified" during the meeting.

The district said it will monitor students' progress through quarterly treatment reviews and adjust placements and referrals based on need.