Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Mental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District director outlines multi-tiered mental-health supports and community outreach
Summary
The district’s director of behavioral health and wellness described classroom lessons, peer-support training, in-school counseling partnerships and upcoming community events as part of a multi-tiered strategy to prevent suicide and substance misuse. Board members thanked staff and asked about access and staffing.
Meg, identified in the meeting as the district’s director of behavioral health and wellness, described a multi-tiered approach the Huntington Co Com Sch Corp uses to support student mental health and substance-abuse prevention.
At the board meeting on May 26, Meg told trustees the district organizes supports under MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support). “Tier one” work includes whole-school programs and curriculum access such as Hope groups, classroom lessons on mental health and the district’s new access to the Hope Squad curriculum. Tier-two supports include small-group work (Cougar Success, Viking Success) and referral pathways to the Bowen Center’s in-school counseling program, called Better View. “Every single student in the school corporation has access to two free appointments,” Meg said, describing the student assistance program and how Better View can be used as part of that pathway.
She described tier-three interventions for students with higher needs and an individual nicotine-cessation protocol developed with a student who is now off nicotine. Meg also summarized a One in Five grant that funded peer-support training for 12 juniors and seniors who will serve as “expert listeners” for incoming freshmen, and announced a community mental-health night on Sept. 15 and the annual Hope Walk at Huntington North High School.
Board members praised the program and asked practical questions about how the district partners with Bowen, whether families pay for services, and whether staffing levels are adequate across elementary, middle and high schools. Meg told the board Bowen is the district’s community mental-health organization and that in-school sessions can be billed to insurance or Medicaid as they would be at an external Bowen clinic; the district’s student assistance program also gives students access to two free Bowen appointments. On staff capacity, Meg said the district is replacing a social-worker position and that adding licensed social workers is a priority for expanding in-school therapy services.
Why it matters: Trustees said school-based prevention, early intervention and easier access to counseling reduce stigma and help students get support before crises escalate. The district’s mix of curriculum, trained student peers, and community counseling partnerships is designed to reach students at multiple points.
Next steps: Trustees did not vote on new policy in this session; Meg invited the board to attend the Sept. 15 community mental-health night and the Hope Walk and said she will return with program updates and survey results from families later in the summer.
