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Peoria Schools Highlight Youth Mental‑Health Curriculum and In‑School Clinics; 2,207 Students Reached by Erica’s Lighthouse
Summary
Payton Beach of Hult Center summarized the district’s youth mental‑health programs and reported 2,207 students received Erica’s Lighthouse education this school year; Addie Collins provided an update on in‑school health clinics (about 900 students served, 1,200 visits).
Peoria Public Schools on April 27 heard two health‑focused presentations: Payton Beach from the Hult Center for Healthy Living described year‑round youth mental‑health work, and Addie Collins detailed the district’s in‑school health clinics.
Payton Beach, youth mental‑health program coordinator, outlined grade‑band programming (pre‑K 'Your Amazing Brain', fourth‑grade modules, seventh–eighth grade depression awareness, and ninth–eleventh grade suicide‑prevention lessons) and said the district uses programs such as Erica’s Lighthouse and local resources to connect students with trusted adults and community supports. Beach reported that 2,207 students received Erica’s Lighthouse education this school year and highlighted classroom‑tested skills: role plays, trusted‑adult identification and strategies for peer support. “Youth mental health matters,” Beach said, and emphasized connecting students to local resources at every session.
Addie Collins, manager of in‑school health clinics, described clinic locations (including a new Richwoods clinic), services (prompt care, sports physicals, immunizations and school compliance), and preliminary usage figures: about 900 unique students served and roughly 1,200 clinic visits so far this school year. Collins said the clinics reduce barriers such as transportation and missed work for families, and she noted a promotional video and impact slides will be shared with board members.
Board members asked for follow‑up materials for parents and confirmation that resources go home with students; Beach and Collins said resource cards and online toolkits are shared with families and posted to partner websites. Both presenters stressed that programs connect students to help and include guidance for families and staff on recognizing signs of distress.
District leaders said they will continue to coordinate these programs with school staff and provide implementation updates to the board.
