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Hanover County CSB warns proposed $500,000 cut would end school-based mental health contract
Summary
At the Feb. 2 Programming Committee meeting, CSB staff reported the superintendent's Jan. 20 proposed budget would eliminate $500,000 in contractual funding for the CSB school-based mental health program despite Hanover County adding $1,000,000 to HCPS; the CSB is developing a temporary three-member model while seeking sustainable funding.
At its Feb. 2 Programming Committee meeting, Hanover County Community Services Board (CSB) staff member Bret Schardein reported that Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) anticipates reduced state funding and that the superintendent's Jan. 20 proposed budget would eliminate $500,000 in contractual funding to the CSB for the school-based mental health program, despite Hanover County providing an additional $1,000,000 to HCPS.
Schardein described the county budget environment as strained, noting that county departments have requested more than 150 new positions for FY27 and that only a small number are likely to be included in the proposed budget. He said the CSB is developing a revised school-based program staffed by a three-member team (two clinicians and one clinical supervisor) to maintain core services while staff pursue sustainable funding.
Committee members emphasized the value of the school-based program and agreed it is important to preserve services even if the delivery model changes. Schardein said efforts to address the funding challenge will continue and that “the budget process is not over until it is over,” signaling ongoing engagement with county leadership and HCPS on funding alternatives.
The Programming Committee did not record a formal vote on the program at the Feb. 2 meeting. The committee asked staff to provide updates to the full CSB as the budget process and program redesign proceed.
