Board approves MOU for in‑school therapy with Community Counseling Center

The Douglas County School District board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Community Counseling Center (CCC) to provide in‑school therapy services to district students.

Why it matters: The MOU aims to expand access to behavioral health care by placing licensed therapists in schools, reducing out‑of‑school appointments that remove students from class for long periods.

Jackie, a CCC representative, told trustees CCC therapists would obtain parental consent before beginning services and would coordinate discreetly with school counselors to pull students out of class. "We'll get parent consent prior to having the first therapy appointment. And then typically, our therapist will follow up with the parents if there's any cause for concerns," Jackie said.

District staff explained CCC therapists are CCC employees (not district staff) and will handle billing and insurance as appropriate; the vendor currently accepts Medicaid and grant funding, the presenter said. Trustees asked about whether middle schools and high schools were included. CCC said the MOU is districtwide and staff will work with each school’s counselor on referrals, scheduling and avoiding core instruction periods.

Public comment included parents who supported the partnership. Rob Lehman read the MOU’s consent language aloud and urged the board to approve. Parent Valerie Luchman said CCC and the Heart for Youth program would help families who cannot take time off to drive children to off‑site appointments.

Trustee Nighting made the motion to approve the MOU and Trustee Miller seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: The MOU was approved; CCC therapists will begin coordination with schools and parents to implement services according to the agreement.