Board hears proposal to add Union Community Care school-based health center at MAPS

District staff presented results from a student-risk and protective-factor review and recommended continued investment in mental-health supports and referral partnerships.

The presenter said several students face risk factors such as bereavement, food insecurity and insufficient sleep, while protective 'assets' include strong parental and peer disapproval of substance use. The presenter noted substance-abuse rates in the district remain below the state average and recommended continuing the Student Assistance Program (SAP).

To expand access to care, administration proposed adding Union Community Care as a partner to provide a school-based health center at MAPS for students and staff, offering primary-care visits, dental services and behavioral-health support. "They do health, you know, doctor visits and dentists, but they also do behavioral health and mental health support," the presenter stated while recommending the district pursue the partnership.

Board members expressed support. One member said on the record, "I think it's a great idea and I want us to, you know, I hope the rest of the board supports moving forward with that." The presenter also described existing community partners (Keystone Human Services, Dolphin County Drug and Alcohol, Care Solus, PA Counseling, Panessa, Laura Life) and noted a 30% increase in Raider Pack participation this year, recommending outreach to secondary students and greater use of social workers and housing resources for families.

Administration framed the school-based health center as an initial step at MAPS to add an additional layer of mental-health support; no formal motion or vote on the Union Community Care partnership was recorded at the meeting.

The board asked no substantive follow-up questions in the transcript; next steps described in the presentation were departmental follow-up to pursue the partnership and continuing SAP and community referrals.