Subcommittee refers Cartwheel telehealth counseling contract after data and cost briefing

District staff summarized the Cartwheel (telehealth) partnership and asked the subcommittee to refer a contract expansion to the full committee.

Staff told members Cartwheel and the Brookline Center (with partial Department of Public Health offset) provide telehealth counseling in multiple languages, same‑day or rapid appointments including psychiatry in some cases, webinars for families, and an attendance‑avoidance program that requires parent participation. Fall River Public Schools’ utilization has grown substantially since an initial 50‑seat contract: staff described a 2024 contract at 150 seats and proposed scaling to 151–200 seats for next school year. Estimated district cost for 151–200 seats was presented as $97,500 (district portion), with total program value including Brookline Center contributions up to $150,000 depending on the seat band selected.

Staff reported that about 20% of seats this year were used by Durfee High School students, middle‑school usage ranged roughly 10–14% of seats, and upper‑elementary families also showed uptake. Committee members asked whether Cartwheel facilitates handoffs to longer‑term in‑person care. Staff said Cartwheel typically provides care in two‑to‑six‑month cycles, assesses ongoing needs at the end of each cycle, and coordinates referrals or handoffs to in‑person clinicians and psychiatric services when longer care is required.

Members praised the program’s quick access and language coverage, asked for measures of effectiveness, and discussed cost comparisons with hiring an additional district counselor. The subcommittee voted by roll call to refer the Cartwheel contract expansion to the full committee for approval and further budget review.

Next steps: The full committee will receive the referral and review contract language, budget implications, and proposed seat bands for the coming school year.