Cherry Creek board hears expanded student health, mental-health services and program metrics

Cherry Creek School District student-health leaders on April 14 outlined a series of clinical, telehealth and mental-health initiatives the district says expanded access for students and families this school year.

The presentation to the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education emphasized three areas: clinical operations (nurses and school health clinics), student and family resource outreach (food, immunizations, vision and dental access, and Medicaid enrollment help) and mental-health services including teletherapy and prevention programs. "We do support all of our health clinics with our nurses, health liaisons, and students throughout each school community," said Jen Ellerbrooke, director of health services. "We are able to have a nurse in each of our K‑12 buildings to support student success."

The presenters said the district served 8,002 people through its clinics in the 2024 school year and administered more than 700 immunizations through partnerships with Arapahoe County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Nicole Marr, assistant director of health services and leader of the student and family resource team, said the district piloted a Servicios de la Raza program to help families complete Medicaid applications; that effort yielded an 85% success rate in obtaining…