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District presents plan to transfer day treatment operations to Youth Haven amid $858,000 shortfall
Summary
Rockingham County Schools staff told the board a projected $858,000 deficit in the district's day treatment program and recommended shifting operations to Youth Haven (district would retain enrollment and an EC teacher; Youth Haven would provide clinical services), with a board decision scheduled for June 8.
Dr. Corcoran, a district official presenting the review of the day treatment program, told the board the program ran a $207,000 deficit last year and projects an $858,000 shortfall for the current year, driven by lower-than-capacity enrollment and reimbursement gaps.
The proposal under consideration would transfer day-to-day operations to Youth Haven while keeping students officially enrolled in Rockingham County Schools so the district retains average daily membership funding. Under the plan, Youth Haven would provide clinical treatment and instruction, the district's EC department would provide a full-time EC teacher for students with individualized education plans, and an MOU would define responsibilities and billing for Medicaid and other revenue sources.
Board members pressed for details about risks and continuity of services. A board member asked what would happen if Youth Haven could not sustain the program; Dr. Corcoran said the district's contingency would be to expand TLC-classroom options while considering licensing, Medicaid approvals, and whether to re-establish a district-run day treatment program if necessary. He acknowledged the uncertainties: "We would have to start some TLC programs and then consider whether or not we would want to go back to any kind of a day treatment kind of program," he said.
On capacity and staffing, Dr. Corcoran said the program could support up to 36 students but saw as many as 26 this year; transportation costs for the program were about $11,000 last year. He said Youth Haven would recruit clinical staff and begin preparing as soon as the board approves the transfer; the district's planned schedule is for the board to discuss and decide on June 8, Youth Haven to assume clinical responsibility July 1, and students to begin at the New Vision site in early August.
Dr. Corcoran said district employees would be offered first refusal for jobs remaining with the district; if staff opt not to remain, they would be eligible to reapply with Youth Haven. He emphasized that the goal is to preserve services and to avoid placing students in slots that do not meet their needs.
The board did not vote during the work session; Dr. Corcoran asked members to review the information and bring questions before the June 8 meeting, when the board is expected to take formal action or provide direction.
