Minutes 09-28-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8 Alliance funding and non-profit providers such as El Futuro and Boomerang and on coordinating care for children of immigrant patients attending CHCCS schools who were experiencing bullying, language barrier issues, and bus safety concerns Janet Gerry, CHCCS System of Care Director, reviewed the following information: The district has been engaged in a review of our mental health services. Our focus has been to develop and implement strategies to promote awareness, ensure we are identifying students early, being clear about what individual supports are needed, and to removing barriers for mental health services and treatments. The district recently developed a request for proposals (RFP) for co-located mental health services to provide onsite support to our students. Service providers have been selected and the district is moving forward with agreements. The RFP and draft agreement are included, along with an overview of co-located mental health services. Commissioner McKee referred to the opioid crisis, and asked both districts if there has been an increase in opioids in their schools. Sherita Cobb, OCS Student Support Services Director, said OCS has not seen an uptick, but have offered courses to OCS staff, including social workers, counselors, and nurses. She presented the following information: • As with any school system, OCS experiences challenges with supporting the mental health needs of its students and school community. While there is much work to be done in this area, students are currently supported through: Contract with LCSW: Orange County Schools' contract with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The social worker's role in the district is as follows: provide therapeutic support to the 3 Special Education classes for students with behavioral concerns, provide staff development for social workers and school counselors and work with students/school teams on strategies for managing behavior effectively • School Based Mental Health: Within the next month, OCS will enter into an MOU with a new vendor partner. This provider accepts clients on Medicaid as well as some private services providers (BCBS is one of insurers accepted). Additionally, this new agency has providers that can provide substance abuse counseling if the district wants to engage in that service as well. In addition, parents are provided a handbook with comprehensive service providers and service descriptions as prepared by Mental Health of America of the Triangle for Orange, Person and Chatham Counties. Steve Halkiotis praised Ms. Cobb for the work that she does in OCS, and Ms. Gerry in CHCCS, since this type of work was not done in schools years ago. James Barrett said he appreciated Ms. Gerry, and all she does. Commissioner Burroughs echoed support for the wrap around model of service provision. She said the opioid issue is real in many parts of the country but numbers are low in Orange County. Commissioner Price asked if the funding for mental health services is divided up in a particular way. She said there is great need for these programs, and the need is likely to increase. She asked if the funding sources are secure. Dr. Pamela Baldwin said funding is from state and local grants, and the need is a high priority for CHCCS, who will shift funds as needed to support students. She agreed that needs are increasing. Janet Gerry said the co-located mental health services agencies have been awarded a memorandum of agreement, so there is no cost there. She said if a child has insurance of any kind (private or Medicaid), the agency will bill the insurance.