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District updates school‑based mental health plan, proposes therapy dog for crisis and alternative schools
Summary
District staff said the state required a school mental health plan and described expanded agency MOUs, increased suicide safety and behavior threat assessments, and a no‑cost grant opportunity for a trained therapy dog to support transition and crisis services.
Dr. Heather Schwickbracht, director of psychological services, and Dr. Frederica Stokes, assistant superintendent for student services, presented an update and a request for adoption of the district’s school‑based mental health plan on June 10, summarizing expanded community partnerships, increased assessments and a grant‑funded therapy dog pilot.
Dr. Schwickbracht said the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction required districts to adopt school‑based mental health plans; Winston‑Salem/Forsyth’s plan was initially approved in 2021 and updated to reflect new data and requirements. The district has increased its number of agency memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for school‑based mental health from five to 15 agencies, and staff described a rise in referrals for services, suicide safety assessments and behavior threat assessments this year. Schwickbracht told the board that through three quarters the district completed 447 suicide safety assessments (up from 424 last year) and about 100 behavior threat assessments (similar to last year).
The presenters said the district secured a federal or state school‑based mental health grant that funded three additional social workers, one additional school counselor and a mental‑health clinician (Keisha Horton) who the district identified as the candidate to handler a therapy dog if the board endorses the plan. A representative from Partners Behavioral Health (the local LME‑MCO) offered a grant that would provide a trained therapy dog plus crates, food for a year and training at no cost to the district. Schwickbracht and Stokes said Southside Animal Hospital and North Forsyth High School’s animal science program have offered veterinary care and grooming partnerships.
Dr. Stokes said the district now uses ECATS for documenting suicide and threat assessments and that access to sensitive modules is restricted to appropriate student services staff. The presenters also described expanded professional development, more robust reentry supports for students returning from hospitalization or residential treatment, and a new SISP annual report requirement that collects data from counselors, social workers, psychologists and nurses.
Board members asked whether the therapy dog requires separate approval; staff said Partners needs a board confirmation so it will release the dog to the district and that there is no cost to the district for the dog or initial supplies. Vice Chair Buchanan asked whether the board must approve the dog; staff said the trainer and handler home were approved and that the district needs a board‑level nod to accept the grant‑supported animal.
Ending: Staff recommended board adoption of the updated school‑based mental health plan and a district acceptance of the grant‑funded therapy dog pilot; the board asked for a formal agenda item to approve the plan and dog and for written MOUs with veterinary and community partners before final acceptance.
