Board briefed on school-based mental-health agreement with Cincinnati Children’s and MindPeace

The board considered a recommendation to approve a school-based health-services agreement between the district, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and MindPeace to bring therapists into school buildings and connect families directly with hospital clinicians.

The superintendent (Speaker 3) described the arrangement as a facilities-and-access partnership: the district provides space and coordination while Cincinnati Children’s and MindPeace deliver therapy and related supports. “This allows Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to provide therapists within each of our buildings to support specific student needs that go beyond what our counselors can address,” the superintendent said.

Board members asked whether families would have a direct relationship with the hospital; the superintendent confirmed families would have direct links with Cincinnati Children’s therapists and that the district’s role is to provide space and facilitate communication. The superintendent said the partnership could reduce lost instructional time and improve access for families who find scheduling outside the school day difficult.

When asked about staffing and waitlists, the superintendent said there are three full-time therapists provided through Cincinnati Children’s assigned to the district and that services began immediately for students in need, alleviating the long waits experienced under a previous provider. The board expressed support for the arrangement; the recommendation was presented as part of the superintendent’s report.