08/05/2020 Meeting Minutes Attachment

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED BY GARRETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

AUGUST 5TH, 2020

MARY VANSICKLE,LCSW-C

MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR

Pupil Services Staff:   3 school psychologists                      2 school social  workers

13 school counselors                        1 Mental Health Coordinator

Pupil Services staff provide: Individual and group counseling, social/emotional classroom lessons, crisis sessions,  threat assessments( suicide and threat to others), referrals for outpatient therapy, referrals to the Emergency Room for further assessment, referrals to Dove Center, referrals for family services/inhome services, direct services to homeless and foster children. After care meetings and case management services for children that were hospitalized.  Work with various mental health providers/psychiatric rehabilitation services.  Many phone calls to parents/guardians to discuss student concerns.

The role of the Mental Health Coordinator, which was developed as part of the Maryland School Safety Act, includes monitoring children in need of mental health services to receive those services. However, services can’t be mandated, parents/guardians must consent.   These services may be referrals, crisis assessments, wrap around services, mentoring/tutoring and transportation.  Clinical consultation and a tiered team approach is provided for threat assessments.  Support for students sent to the Emergency Room includes referrals to mental health services at the Garrett County Health Department, in school counseling and follow up with family medical providers.

During Covid 19: Students received services via phone or Google Meets.

Home visits were conducted to deliver food and school supplies.

Statistics: From September 2019  through March 13th 2020

166 Threat assessments                 8 students hospitalized

Recommendations:  Explore options to increase child psychiatry

Need more providers that will see children

Need more support for families with substance abuse concerns

Need more adults to provide mentoring support

Need afterschool programs in communities with high substance abuse

Provide education to family practitioners as to what services are available

Provide education to community as to what services are available