Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Mental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
$20,000 donation will help Antigo students access mental‑health therapy, district says
Summary
A community member donated $20,000 to a new fund to help families who face insurance barriers obtain mental‑health therapy; district staff described current caseloads, waitlists and reduced rates negotiated with local providers.
The Unified School District of Antigo announced a $20,000 donation to create a fund that will help families access mental‑health therapy when insurance or high deductibles are a barrier, Amanda Moore told the board.
Moore said the donor pledged the money after discussions about district needs. The district will launch a Google form for families to apply and expects the fund to be available when school resumes this week.
Moore gave the board a snapshot of school‑based mental‑health services by building: at the high school there are 24 students currently receiving school‑based therapy, six waiting for services, one disenrolled, two monitored and one discharged and referred to North Central Health Care. At the middle school 19 students are receiving therapy and 14 are waiting; East Elementary had two students waiting; West Elementary had one receiving therapy and eight waiting (with two referred to North Central Health Care); North Elementary had one receiving therapy and four waiting with one referred to North Central Health Care.
Moore said the district is currently serving roughly 5% of students with school‑based mental‑health services and that seven students are likely to receive assistance from the new donation. She said four primary provider agencies work with the district; the providers have agreed to discounted rates to increase access. Moore told the board that Hazel Woody (under a recent MOU) will provide sessions at $110 each. North Lakes Clinic offered a 15% discount, making the initial intake $179 and follow‑up sessions about $136 under the negotiated rates.
Why it matters: Moore said insurance coverage or high deductibles prevent some students from starting therapy. Placing providers in school buildings reduces missed class time and travel barriers for families, she said.
Operational process: Moore explained the referral pathway: school staff (usually administrators or school counselors) speak with families; if the family agrees, staff complete a referral form that notifies Moore, who coordinates placement and discusses virtual vs. in‑person preferences, gender preference for providers and insurance questions.
Next steps: The district will roll out the application form for families immediately and continue negotiating provider rates to maximize the number of students served with donated funds.
