Kooth representatives describe Soluna behavioral-health platform and say $3 million state appropriation is secured
Loading...
Summary
During public comment, Kooth (Soluna) representatives told the Detroit committee they had secured a $3 million state appropriation to offer a student behavioral-health platform and outlined self-, peer- and professional-support pathways and optional rollout supports for staff and families.
Representatives of Kooth (the Soluna platform) presented during public comment at the Detroit Public Schools Community District Academic Curriculum Committee on Aug. 20, describing a multi-pathway behavioral-health platform and describing state funding the vendor said would support a district rollout.
Dale Shamal introduced the Kooth team and said the organization had secured a "$3,000,000 state appropriation to partner with at-risk school districts like Detroit Public Schools to offer a student behavioral health tool." Stephanie Bolotin, Kooth's vice president for growth and government affairs, summarized the platform's population-health mission and said Soluna provides evidence-based content and coping tools available 365 days a year. Katie Rudick, Kooth's vice president of clinical integration and a licensed mental-health professional, described three pathways on the platform: self-support (psychoeducation and coping skills), pre-moderated peer support and professional support to increase access to care.
Kate Beal, Kooth's chief marketing officer for Soluna, described marketing and rollout supports the vendor would provide, including promotional materials, optional educator training and community engagement workshops. She said Kooth's team can provide rollout materials, and that vendor marketing teams would help complement district outreach to increase uptake.
Superintendent Dr. Nicolai Vidi told the committee staff generally refrain from vendor meetings before an RFP so as not to influence procurement. He advised vendors to monitor district procurement postings and to email staff for follow-up; he noted that the appropriate technical leads for behavioral-health questions would be staff such as Ms. Ashby or Ms. Merriweather.
The committee did not make a procurement decision during the meeting; Kooth's representatives were told to follow the district's RFP process if they wish to pursue a formal contract this year.