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County officials say school‑based behavioral‑health pilot delivered nearly 1,700 visits in first year but clinicians already near capacity
Summary
Dare County’s school‑based behavioral‑health pilot logged about 1,684 clinician visits through May; four clinicians served elementary, middle and high schools, staff reported measurable attendance and behavior gains, and officials called for phased expansion as the program reached capacity.
Dare County staff told commissioners the school‑based behavioral‑health program launched in the 2025–26 school year produced nearly 1,700 documented counseling sessions by the end of May and produced early, measurable improvements in attendance, behavior and student coping skills.
Sheila Davies (Health & Human Services) summarized the pilot: four clinicians—some county employees, some contracted—served a mix of elementary, middle and high schools. By late spring the program’s clinicians had logged roughly 1,684 visits and average monthly caseloads were about 42 (elementary), 22 (middle) and 20 (high school). Staff said two clinicians were at capacity by December and the whole team was at capacity by January, creating limits on accepting new referrals.
Administrators and school counselors reported observed benefits including reduced aggressive behavior, fewer crisis episodes and improved attendance among students who received counseling. Staff also said early intervention is the goal—teaching students emotional regulation and coping skills before problems escalate—and highlighted care coordination for students needing higher‑level specialty services.
The county has been billing for services; staff said conservative budgeting anticipated about $40,000 in reimbursement but actual collections exceeded $100,000, reducing the net cost and creating a revenue stream that could fund additional positions. Staff recommended adding positions incrementally—ideally growing toward a model with dedicated providers in more schools—and promised to return with quantification of unmet need and options.
Why it matters: The pilot shows demand outpacing capacity; commissioners flagged challenges in finding clinicians and noted local private providers are also at capacity. Staff recommended cautious expansion, partly funded by billing revenue from the pilot, while stressing hiring and local workforce constraints.
Provenance: School‑based behavioral‑health update and Q&A (SEG 1896–2834).
