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Youth Intensive Services to stop free in-school support April 18, Waterloo Local superintendent says
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Clark told the board that Youth Intensive Services will discontinue free in-school services effective April 18 because of state Medicaid payment delays; district officials said Children's Advantage and Hazel Health may provide alternate services but gaps and anxiety for students and families are likely.
Superintendent Dr. Clark told the Waterloo Local Board of Education that Youth Intensive Services notified the district it will stop providing free in-school mental-health and intensive services effective April 18.
"Youth Intensive Services let us know just yesterday . . . effective April 18th, next week, they will no longer be providing services for us," Dr. Clark said, characterizing the decision as stemming from delays in Medicaid payments at the state level.
Dr. Clark said the provider—represented in the district by staff member Molly Powers—had offered services for more than a year at no cost and that the loss will affect students and families who relied on onsite support. "Molly Powers has been the person from Youth Intensive Services who's been here providing services in our district for over a year. She's been fantastic," Dr. Clark said.
Board members and principals discussed alternatives the district is pursuing. The superintendent said the district already has relationships with Children's Advantage and Hazel Health and does not expect to be entirely without services, but cautioned that transitions are uncertain and could cause anxiety for students and families.
Dr. Clark said the district will continue to search for ways to provide services free of charge and will notify families of changes. The board did not take a formal vote on this item at the meeting; the report was an informational update and a request that the administration pursue replacement providers and keep the board and families informed.
The district did not provide details at the meeting on whether Youth Intensive Services will continue any paid work with the district or on any timeline for replacement staffing beyond the April 18 cessation date.
