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District continues partnerships with two nonprofit mental‑health providers for on‑site school services
Summary
The board reviewed renewal and new memoranda of understanding for New Horizons Behavioral Health and Georgia HOPE to provide on‑site mental‑health services; both organizations supply staff and require parental consent for student participation.
Harris County — The Harris County Board of Education reviewed memoranda of understanding with two behavioral‑health providers that supply on‑site student mental‑health services and counseling under parental consent.
Miss Baker told the board New Horizons Behavioral Health has partnered with the district for roughly four years and receives funding through a Georgia Apex Grant to provide services; the district provides space while New Horizons supplies and funds the licensed therapist and case manager assigned to Harris County Carver Middle School. Baker said parental consent is required before a student may receive services.
The board also reviewed a partnership with Georgia HOPE, which provides similar services. Baker said the Georgia HOPE partnership had operational hiccups during its first planned year and staff reworked logistics; the program will serve Creekside Intermediate, Harris County High School, the Early Learning Center (ELC) and PLC. Baker said Georgia HOPE provides staff, funding and licensing; the district again provides space and requires parental consent for services.
Board members asked whether parental consent is collected in advance or on a per‑visit basis. Baker said the district uses the Infinite Campus parent portal to solicit consent and that parental permission is required before a provider may work with a student; district staff may also collect consent at the school level when needed.
No vote on the MOUs was recorded in the transcript; board members asked Baker to correct a minor agency name formatting issue on a printed MOU before signatures.
Board members were told both arrangements are intended to expand access to licensed services on campus and that the providers bear staffing and funding responsibilities under the MOUs.
