Effingham schools to pilot on-site behavioral health services with Effingham Health and Curtis v Cooper

Effingham County school leaders heard a proposal to pilot on-site behavioral health services in three schools and to expand services districtwide if the trial succeeds.

Travis (presenter) told the board that Effingham Health System and Curtis v Cooper Primary Health Care have been collaborating since 2024 to deliver behavioral health services. Angela Garrett, physician practice manager at Effingham Health System, said Effingham Behavioral Health launched in October 2024 at a Family Medicine office in Springfield and has grown from two days a week to three, with 499 total visits reported from October 2024 through June 2025. Garrett said Effingham Health has leased adjacent space and, after renovations, the service could be offered five days a week.

Stan Serapin, chief administrative officer for Curtis v Cooper Primary Health Care, and CEO Albert Grama described Curtis v Cooper’s operations and oversight. Grandy said Curtis v Cooper provides a range of services across dozens of delivery sites and supports school-based programs in nearby counties.

The partners described a three‑phase plan: planning and development with a steering committee and consent/data‑sharing agreements; a pilot beginning in September 2025 at Guyton Elementary School, Ebenezer Middle School and Effingham High School; and a Phase 3 expansion to all Effingham County schools in the 2026–27 school year. Board members were told staff and school counselors would coordinate referrals and scheduling.

On logistics, Miss Sherry (drawing on Chatham County experience) said initial sessions typically run 45 minutes and follow-ups 30 minutes; she added that counselors usually see students in private rooms at the school rather than in visible mobile units to reduce stigma and protect privacy. Presenters said they would follow a parental consent process similar to school telemedicine—sending consent forms home at the start of the year—and that no child would be turned away for inability to pay. Garrett said Effingham Behavioral Health operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with after‑school options and an after‑hours medical call service for urgent needs.

Board members asked about how schools were selected; staff said they reviewed incident and referral data to choose one elementary, one middle and one high school for the pilot. Presenters and board members framed the pilot as a data‑driven, iterative effort: they pledged to collect feedback from students, parents, educators and providers and to revise the program as needed.

No formal board action was taken on the partnership during the meeting; presenters sought the board’s awareness and support as they finalize policies and logistics.

The district will review pilot results and stakeholder feedback during the 2025–26 school year before any districtwide expansion.