Monroe board approves acquisition of Got Your Back mental‑health app from Jacob’s Swag Foundation

The Monroe School District board on Aug. 10 approved a motion to acquire the Got Your Back mobile app from the Jacob’s Swag Foundation, a nonprofit the district said has partnered with schools on student mental‑health support.

Administration told the board the app provides day‑to‑day mental‑health check‑ins, resources and crisis contacts, and can be used both for routine wellness checks and to provide referral information for students in distress. Amy Timmerman, who introduced the item for administration, said the district would pilot the app with a launch program at the high school and look for partnerships to support major updates. "There's not much [ongoing] cost — an annual fee — and approximately $35,000 is coming with it to ensure continued support and upgrades," Timmerman said.

Speakers from Jacob’s Swag described the program’s history and impact. Kurt Olofson, a family member tied to the foundation, said the initiative grew from local work and has been used beyond Monroe: "You developed something that's been impactful not only in Monroe, not only in Greene County, not only in Wisconsin, but across the country and beyond." Administrators noted SSM Health has been a continuing partner for care coordination.

The board moved to approve the acquisition (motion by Nicole Joseph; second by Mike Davis) and adopted the recommendation by voice vote. The meeting record shows a voice vote outcome recorded as "motion carries," with no roll‑call tally provided.

Why it matters: Administrators framed the acquisition as extending district mental‑health resources, pairing a digital tool with local launch supports and existing counseling staff. The district said it will monitor usage and consider student‑led analytics work at the high school to guide further development.