ESU 3 to place school-based mental health therapists in Ralston Public Schools under federal grant

Ralston Public Schools will host school-based mental health therapists through an expanded program run by Educational Service Unit 3 (ESU 3) after the system received a U.S. Department of Education grant to continue and grow an existing rural school mental health model.

The grant, which ESU 3 staff said extends the work for five additional years beyond the initial grant period, will fund an expansion from ESU 3’s existing teams into Ralston. ESU 3 presenter Jen Pollock, who coordinates school mental health services at ESU 3 and said she will join Ralston as director of student services on July 1, told the board two therapists are scheduled to begin March 24 and provide services four days per week, with a tentative broader start of services April 7 after family consent and intake.

Pollock described a three-tier model aligned with MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports): therapists embedded at Tier 1 to collaborate with teachers and problem-solving teams; Tier 2 short-term interventions and small groups; and Tier 3 assessment and crisis or diagnostic treatment coordination. She said ESU 3 will not supplant district counselors, psychologists or social workers but will supplement those existing services and coordinate referrals and supports.

ESU 3 staff said the plan includes billing Medicaid and private insurance for billable services as part of braided funding to sustain the program beyond the grant period. Pollock said ESU 3 already bills Medicaid and insurance for services in Cass and Washington counties and that the ESU has developed the billing infrastructure, supervision networks and training practices to support a larger team.

The presenters told the board ESU 3 will hire additional therapists (the long-term goal is up to 15 providers across the region) and protect one day per therapist each week for documentation, supervision and training. ESU 3 said it will prioritize matching clinician schedules and skills with building needs and use problem-solving teams to determine assignment and services.

The district and ESU plan to provide a family-facing resources page (smhs.esu3.org) and add a Spanish-translation toggle. Pollock also noted federal guidance to be cautious but to proceed: the grant funds derive from the Bipartisan Safer Schools Act and ESU 3 received direction from funders to move forward while remaining cautious.

Board members asked about coordination with district staff already providing mental health services; Pollock said the program begins midyear and will require explicit conversations about roles, capacity and matching services to students’ needs. Board members expressed strong support and welcomed ESU 3’s planned rollout.