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County, MCPS and DHHS describe expanded school‑based mental‑health supports; officials point to data needs and budget pressures
Summary
MCPS and the Department of Health and Human Services updated a joint County Council committee on school‑based wellness: social work staffing and wellness centers have expanded, more students are being served, and the district and partners flagged needs for better tier‑1 services, student feedback, evaluation metrics and sustainable funding.
Montgomery County Public Schools and County Department of Health and Human Services officials told the County Council’s joint Education and Culture and Health and Human Services committees they have expanded school‑based mental‑health supports since the pandemic but that staffing, data and funding gaps remain.
The discussion covered the district’s student well‑being teams, a 42‑social‑worker program that serves 51 schools, Bridge to Wellness services in 19 high schools, six high‑school wellness centers and a range of partner contracts. Council members pressed staff on coverage gaps, evaluation methods linking mental‑health services to academic outcomes, cultural competency and how the district will sustain services when temporary federal funds expire.
Damon Motziloni, associate superintendent for the Office of Well‑Being and Student Services, described an “integrated mental health framework” that routes referrals through school‑level student well‑being teams and matches students to…
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