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Chesapeake Public Schools introduces free Student Assistance Program with Virtual Peace of Mind
Summary
Chesapeake Public Schools and Virtual Peace of Mind outlined a new Student Assistance Program (SAP) in a family webinar, offering parent‑initiated, virtual mental‑health services to all K‑12 students at no cost and emphasizing confidentiality, consent, and quarterly district reporting.
Chesapeake Public Schools and the telehealth provider Virtual Peace of Mind described a new Student Assistance Program (SAP) during a district webinar aimed at families. Dr. Tiffinee Yancey, founder and CEO of Virtual Peace of Mind, said the program offers virtual, clinician‑led mental‑health services to every K‑12 student enrolled in the district and is parent‑driven and opt‑in.
"The goal is simple: peace of mind for every child," Dr. Tiffinee Yancey said, describing SAP as built on "a 100% accessibility model" that requires no diagnosis, IEP, or 504 plan for a student to receive services. She added that services are provided by licensed, supervised clinicians and are designed to complement— not replace—school counselors or special‑education supports.
Dr. Yancey walked families through the intake and consent process. Parents begin by completing a short request form on the district website; staff verify enrollment, collect optional insurance information, and conduct a safety check that prompts immediate crisis guidance when necessary. The provider requires an initial consent to contact the family (not to start services) and full consent before scheduling ongoing sessions. For children 12 and under, a parent or trusted adult must be present during virtual sessions for safety.
The program is offered at no cost to families, Dr. Yancey said, and is intended to reduce barriers such as wait lists and enrollment thresholds. She cited a commonly used estimate that roughly 15% of students qualify for formal services through IEP or 504 plans and said SAP aims to provide support for students outside that group.
Dr. Yancey emphasized confidentiality: "Everything within the Student Assistance Program is confidential. Sessions are private, and schools do not have access to what your child shares in therapy," and said client records are protected under HIPAA and FERPA, with information shared only with parental consent or in legal safety‑risk situations.
Virtual Peace of Mind will report aggregate, de‑identified program metrics—such as counts of students served, usage frequency, and optional demographic breakdowns—during quarterly reviews with the district and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to satisfy grant accountability requirements, Dr. Yancey said. She stressed the district and provider will not share individual session notes or identifying information during those reviews.
Dr. Yancey also answered frequently asked questions: SAP covers all grades K‑12; session counts are determined by clinical need rather than a fixed limit; parents or guardians make referrals; services are available regardless of immigration status; and school staff do not receive therapy details without consent. The webinar host noted the district has posted a 40‑item FAQ on the program webpage and that the webinar will be recorded and made available on Chesapeake Public Schools' YouTube channel.
Families seeking more information were directed to the Office of Family and Community Engagement at face@cpschools.com and to the district's Student Wellness menu for the Virtual Peace of Mind partnership page and intake form.
