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Board approves revised job description to expand school‑based mental‑health services
Summary
The school board approved a revised job description to hire mental‑health therapists whose services the district can bill to Medicaid; district leaders said grant funding and Medicaid expansion will increase the district’s capacity to provide reimbursable behavioral‑health services to students.
The Clark County Board of Education voted to approve a revised job description for school‑based mental‑health therapists that will support expanded billing to Medicaid and help the district increase in‑school behavioral‑health services.
Mrs. Nelson (district student‑supports lead) said the district received grant funding through the Kentucky Department of Education and plans to use Medicaid reimbursement where eligible to sustain services. "This opens up a variety of other services that we're able to provide students," she said, adding that reimbursement would apply for Medicaid‑ and CHIP‑eligible students but would not prevent therapists from serving all students in the schools.
Board members asked whether the district plans to hire more than one therapist; Nelson replied the district intends to grow staffing over time based on available funding and the long‑term goal is sustainable capacity.
The board approved the revision by voice vote, 4–0. Staff said hires will be pursued in coming months depending on grant and reimbursement revenue.
Context: The change follows federal and state efforts to expand school‑based Medicaid billing; district leaders said the move could reduce barriers to care, allow more students to be served in schools, and bring additional funding into the district for behavioral‑health services.
