Action 15.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
County Schools
- Meeting Date:
- 12/10/2024
- Title:
- US Department of Education School Based Mental Health Services Grant
- Submitted By:
- Kimberly Madden, County Schools
- Department:
- County Schools
Presentation:
PowerPoint
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature NOT Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Jacqui Clay
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Cochise County School Superintendent
Mandated Function?:
Federal or State Mandate
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
You will use this Agenda Item template if your item involves a Grant (whether a new or renewal grant). You also must attach the Grant Approval Form to the item before Finance will approve it. Select the SPECIAL LINKS on your left-hand menu and Click on "Grant Approval Form". Then complete the form, save it and attach it to your item (on the Attachments tab).
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve US Department of Education, School Based Mental Health Services Grant, in the amount of $2,785,652, effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029.
Background:
The objective of the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Funding is to alleviate the strain caused by the insufficient number of mental health providers in Cochise County, while ensuring equitable access to and participation in mental health services for all students in the region. The Cochise Educational Service Agency (ESA) will collaborate with the Sheriff’s Office CARE Team to increase the number of mental health providers in Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that have demonstrated a need for these services. To achieve equitable access, the County Superintendent of Schools Office is committed to reducing the student-provider ratio from 804:1 to 459:1 in districts with an established need. Over the five years of the capacity-building grant, nine additional mental health (MH) providers will be hired. These MH providers will deliver services to any Cochise County school lacking adequate on-site support and will strategically allocate resources to underserved areas. The Sheriff’s Office CARE Team will be able to provide comprehensive care by serving at-risk students with extended services to family units outside of the school setting. Dr Brunacini will also provide clinical supervision and training to the SBMH providers hired under this funding.
The Cochise Educational Service Agency aims to create a network of support that reaches every corner of the county, providing comprehensive assistance to both rural and urban areas. An aggressive "recruit, train, and retain" approach for mental health providers is essential for attracting a diverse talent base. This strategy will forge a brighter future by addressing the mental health needs of our youth in Cochise County, regardless of background or circumstance.
Timeline for measurables and deliverables:
Year 1
CochisESA will identify LEA’s in Cochise County with a demonstrated need for mental health support and will hire 3 school based mental health providers and a grant coordinator. Services will begin within 180 days of staff onboarding to ensure students have timely access to mental health services in the school environment, during year 1. Decrease the student to SBMH provider ratio by 3%.
Year 2
CochisESA will hire 1 additional SBMH provider and complete a needs assessment to target the best utilization of the staff member within the county schools. Decrease student to SBMH provider ratio by an additional 5%.
Year 3
CochisESA will develop a partnership with the Cochise College Behavioral Health Science Certificate Program and Grand Canyon University to recruit additional SBMH providers. Hire 1 additional SBMH provider. Decrease student to SBMH provider by an additional 5%.
Year 4
Hire 2 additional SBMH providers to address identified barriers. Data will be analyzed and necessary adjustments will be made to address barriers in the school environment. Decrease student to SBMH provider by an additional 7%.
Year 5
Hire 2 additional SBMH providers. CochisESA will work with strategic partners to strengthen the network of SBMH services, study student mental health trends, and ensure the sustainability of the networks of support CochisESA and the Sheriff’s Office CARE Team have put in place. Decrease the overall student to SBMH provider ratio by 20% over the course of the funding.
The Cochise Educational Service Agency aims to create a network of support that reaches every corner of the county, providing comprehensive assistance to both rural and urban areas. An aggressive "recruit, train, and retain" approach for mental health providers is essential for attracting a diverse talent base. This strategy will forge a brighter future by addressing the mental health needs of our youth in Cochise County, regardless of background or circumstance.
Timeline for measurables and deliverables:
Year 1
CochisESA will identify LEA’s in Cochise County with a demonstrated need for mental health support and will hire 3 school based mental health providers and a grant coordinator. Services will begin within 180 days of staff onboarding to ensure students have timely access to mental health services in the school environment, during year 1. Decrease the student to SBMH provider ratio by 3%.
Year 2
CochisESA will hire 1 additional SBMH provider and complete a needs assessment to target the best utilization of the staff member within the county schools. Decrease student to SBMH provider ratio by an additional 5%.
Year 3
CochisESA will develop a partnership with the Cochise College Behavioral Health Science Certificate Program and Grand Canyon University to recruit additional SBMH providers. Hire 1 additional SBMH provider. Decrease student to SBMH provider by an additional 5%.
Year 4
Hire 2 additional SBMH providers to address identified barriers. Data will be analyzed and necessary adjustments will be made to address barriers in the school environment. Decrease student to SBMH provider by an additional 7%.
Year 5
Hire 2 additional SBMH providers. CochisESA will work with strategic partners to strengthen the network of SBMH services, study student mental health trends, and ensure the sustainability of the networks of support CochisESA and the Sheriff’s Office CARE Team have put in place. Decrease the overall student to SBMH provider ratio by 20% over the course of the funding.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Hire grant coordinator and 3 SBMH providers in year 1.
Perform a needs assessment and identify barriers, strategy development, cultivate collaborative partnerships with other mental health service providers in Cochise County, and implementation of strategies.
Hiring of 5 more MH providers in year 2-5.
Perform a needs assessment and identify barriers, strategy development, cultivate collaborative partnerships with other mental health service providers in Cochise County, and implementation of strategies.
Hiring of 5 more MH providers in year 2-5.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Many areas in Cochise County face significant challenges in accessing mental health services. The mental and behavioral health needs of our youth have created barriers to learning, increased incidents of bullying and self-harm, and posed challenges for school safety. Without the School-Based Mental Health funding, Cochise County will continue to lack sufficient mental health services to support our student population. Barriers to learning will intensify within the classroom, and students will struggle to navigate daily learning and important social skills.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
No signatures required.
Fiscal Impact
- Fiscal Year:
- 2025
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 353,789
- Source of Funding?:
- ED
- Fiscal Year:
- 2026
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 425,757
- Source of Funding?:
- ED
- Fiscal Year:
- 2027
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 507,067
- Source of Funding?:
- ED
- Fiscal Year:
- 2028
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 667,198
- Source of Funding?:
- ED
- Fiscal Year:
- 2029
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 831,841
- Source of Funding?:
- ED