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Conestoga Valley considers Care Solace contract to expand student and staff mental‑health referrals
Summary
Superintendent told the board that a Care Solace contract—covered by a PCCD mental‑health grant—would provide care navigation and case management to connect students, families and staff to local providers; trustees asked about staff training, renewal terms and how students would learn to access the service.
Conestoga Valley administrators introduced a contract with Care Solace on Dec. 9 that would give students, families and employees a centralized care‑navigation service to find mental‑health and social‑service providers.
Superintendent Dr. Hartman explained Care Solace helps families overcome long wait times and insurance barriers by assigning a care specialist who case‑manages referrals, works with a family's insurance and, if necessary, searches providers in neighboring counties or via telehealth to secure faster appointments. Administration said the program is already budgeted in the district’s PCCD grant and would not come from general district funds.
Board members sought details about rollout and access. Trustees asked how students who do not disclose concerns would become aware of the service, what training pupil‑personnel staff would receive, how families would be notified and whether employee family members could use the benefit. Administration said the vendor provides a marketing toolkit and that school guidance counselors, social workers and nurses would receive additional training to make appropriate referrals.
Contract term questions arose: one trustee noted the initial contract runs only through June with a double‑length renewal period listed; administrators clarified that the renewal is for a full year and that they would confirm term language. Presenters said the service produces quarterly usage reports so the district can monitor uptake and outcomes.
What’s next: the board paused for questions and requested clarification on renewal wording and the proposed training plan; staff said they would finalize the contract and bring it back for approval. The board did not vote on the contract during the meeting.
Ending: district staff will confirm contract term language, finalize a training plan for pupil‑personnel staff and report participation metrics from other districts for comparison.
