State behavioral‑health officials and providers say school‑based Apex program expands access and may reduce absenteeism

Representatives from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and partner organizations described Georgia’s Apex school‑based mental‑health program as a core strategy for preventing and addressing chronic absenteeism by providing care “where the children are.”

Christy Doyle, senior director for children, young adults and families at DBHDD, said Apex marked its 10th continuous year and that in 2024–25 Apex operated in nearly 870 schools, delivered over a quarter‑million services and reached more than 15,000 unique students. She and colleagues emphasized that Apex is a partnership among DBHDD, clinical providers and the Center of Excellence at Georgia State University to provide services and fidelity monitoring.

Both DBHDD and Voices for Georgia’s Children described Apex’s three‑tier model: Tier 1 universal prevention to improve school climate, Tier 2 targeted group interventions, and Tier 3 intensive individualized care. DBHDD and partners said Apex reduces stigma, improves access, and can serve students who otherwise lack a medical home.

Both presenters and DBHDD acknowledged workforce challenges: about 72 percent of clinical providers report turnover and recruitment difficulty, driven by salary and workload. DBHDD described a supported‑internship pilot that paid tuition in exchange for a two‑year post‑graduation commitment to Apex providers and said it plans to expand the pilot to 20 students with a focus on universities serving rural and underserved areas. Presenters recommended continued and expanded funding for Apex, telebehavioral health, training and supported internships to address staffing shortages.