Student services director says embedded therapy program serves 459 students districtwide

Toni Boyden, the district's director of student services, told the board the district has a long-established program that embeds therapists in school buildings through partnerships with community agencies. "Between all 3 agencies, our children served district wide is 459 students," she said, adding that referrals this year numbered 496 with 153 students discharged after completing services. She said therapists typically carry caseloads of about 20 to 25 students and provide services year-round under a grant that covers staffing costs and does not come from the district operating budget.