ANOKA, Minn. – (Sept. 13, 2013) – Students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District who are struggling with mental health concerns and need help will be able to get clinical mental health services in school from licensed mental health professionals. The convenience is critical because families’ busy schedules are often a barrier to treatment, according to Dr. Nita Kumar, mental health consultant for Anoka-Hennepin School District.
The district developed a new school-based mental health program that will go well beyond the prevention and intervention services the district has provided to this point through a contracted service. In the past, if it was determined that a student needed clinical mental health services, the family was required to make arrangements and bring the child to a community-based mental health provider. This often meant parents had to take time off work to transport their child. Sometimes they were simply unable to follow through, especially if they didn’t have health insurance coverage or had coverage with high cost-sharing. Dr. Kumar stressed that parents will be required to give consent for their children to receive clinical mental health services.
The district signed a contract this summer with Headway Emotional Health Services to provide 14 full-time clinicians who have either masters or doctoral degrees and are licensed as either social workers, psychologists, professional clinical counselors or family therapists.
A large share of the cost will be covered by billing students’ health insurance plans. “The district will cover the cost of unreimbursable services but insurance will cover the cost of necessary clinical mental health services,” said Dr. Kumar. “Our contractor will do the billing so the district will not need to take that on. This contract is a unique arrangement. We are breaking new ground and we are excited about the expansion of student and family support.”
District funds will cover costs for students who are uninsured or underinsured. “A child who is medically in need of mental health services will be able to get it. If a high co-pay or deductible is standing in the way, the child will still get help because of the flexibility built into this program,” said Dr. Kumar.
Other unique aspects to the program are the availability of service during the summer and the potential for therapists to conduct sessions at families’ homes in some circumstances.
Dr. Kumar believes the program will be a great asset to the district and ultimately improve achievement for students. “We know that mental health issues are a barrier to learning. If we can help kids meet their social-emotional needs better, then they will be more open to learning. It will also help teachers because there will be someone to intervene with students who are struggling. School climate in general will improve,” said Dr. Kumar.
Dr. Kumar is now working in partnership with a mental health agency to apply for a share of the $43 million school-linked grant funded through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. If the district’s grant proposal is successful, the district will be able to add 10 or more mental health positions through partnership with a mental health agency. The district may get word as early as October on this potential funding.
Even without the grant, however, the program is scheduled to expand to include more district sites. “We want district staff to observe the early warning signs of mental health issues, engage parents, and make referrals for services. If medically necessary services are identified and the services can be provided effectively in a school setting, our contracted mental health partner will provide them,” said Dr. Kumar.
