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Chandler Unified approves HealthCorps after‑school MOU after board amends classroom language
Summary
The Chandler Unified School District governing board approved a memorandum of understanding with HealthCorps Inc. to offer an opt‑in health and wellness club for grades 5–12, after amending the MOU to restrict sessions to after‑school club settings.
The Chandler Unified School District governing board on March 26 approved a memorandum of understanding with HealthCorps Inc. to offer a voluntary, after‑school health and wellness club for students in grades 5–12.
The board approved the MOU after amending language that originally allowed sessions “in the classroom or in an after‑school setting.” The amendment, adopted by unanimous vote, changed the contract to permit weekly HealthCorps sessions only in after‑school club settings.
Dr. Gilbert, presenting the agreement on behalf of the district, said the MOU would bring college‑age mentors into schools to “co‑facilitate programming with CUSD staff that integrates health‑promoting education, leadership opportunities, and service learning.” Kristine Ryan, identified in the meeting as a district counselor, said the program is open to students in grades 5–12 and that some campuses have already expressed interest in piloting the club format.
Jacqueline LaPlante of HealthCorps told the board the organization focuses on education, not mental‑health treatment: “We…educate our mentors specifically on what is inside of their integrity and what is not inside of their scope. They go in and they teach about these topics. They teach about physical health, nutrition 101, stress management, community service, healthy relationships, and then after that, they put on fun events for the whole campus.” The presenters said mentors are fingerprint‑cleared and parental permission is required for student participation.
Board member Kurt Rohrs raised legal concerns, saying he viewed portions of the MOU as resembling behavioral‑health counseling and asking the board to consult the Board of Behavioral Health Counseling before proceeding. Rohrs moved to table the measure pending that review; that motion failed on a tied vote and the amendment to restrict programming to after‑school clubs then passed unanimously. The board then approved the amended MOU by unanimous vote.
The district noted the MOU came to them via the Arizona Department of Education and that the Department and the Governor’s workforce/education partners are funding the HealthCorps rollout in some districts.
The MOU requires parent/guardian consent for student participation and specifies that HealthCorps mentors are not licensed mental‑health clinicians and will operate within a defined scope.
Board President Patty Serrano and the administration said legal counsel reviewed the MOU before it was brought to the board. The administration also said staff would listen to board concerns during implementation and could bring adjustments back to the board if needed.
The board’s action amends the district’s roster of voluntary after‑school enrichment offerings and does not authorize in‑class or mandatory counseling by HealthCorps personnel.
