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Allentown committee advances $240,000 Hazel Health tele-mental-health contract to expand student access
Summary
Administrators told the Allentown School District board the Hazel Health contract will connect families to licensed clinicians within about 15 days; the finance committee carried a motion to move the $240,000 purchase forward for board approval.
The Allentown School District’s finance committee on Nov. 20 moved forward a request to purchase the Hazel Health tele-mental‑health platform at a cost of $240,000.
District presenters said Hazel Health is a U.S. provider of school‑based and at‑home telehealth services that — with parent consent and referrals from parents or school staff — connects students and families to licensed clinicians. The contract includes technology and equipment for each school, staff training and ongoing support. District staff said services aim to provide locally licensed providers within about 15 days of referral and to coordinate transitions to local community providers when longer‑term care is needed.
Presenters described prior utilization: during the last school year, the district recorded 410 referrals to Hazel Health and 676 therapy sessions; 143 cases remained active at the time of the presentation. Board members asked whether the program could be tailored to students transitioning between grades; staff said the district’s mental‑health task force and the vendor can explore transitional supports and outreach.
A motion to move the Hazel Health purchase forward passed at the finance committee meeting and the item will be scheduled for the regular board meeting for final approval. Resident public comment later in the regular session requested that district data be made available publicly, including weekend usage, repeat users, and follow‑up outcomes at 3–6 months; administration agreed to provide the requested data.
