HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — The Hamilton County School Board is expected to vote on a proposal Thursday night that would make several school-based mental health services available for students again.
The move comes after months of debate and concern over student mental health services in Hamilton County.
Earlier this year, the district ended its partnership with Centerstone, leaving many parents, students, and principals worried about gaps in care.
According to Thursday’s agenda, board members will review memorandums of understanding with companies that a selection committee picked to provide a choice of services for students’ parents.
Board members have narrowed their selection process to these 5 companies, some or all of which may ultimately be contracted:
CenterstoneELU LLCThe Helen Ross McNabb CenterPsychiatry of TexasThrive Therapies Group
Read more about each company here.
District officials say these agreements could expand the options for providing therapy, counseling, and other mental health support to students directly on school campuses.
The MOU’s on the agenda note that each vendor requires parental consent before working with students.
The memo says the district wants to respond to feedback from the community and the board, including not missing valuable core-classes for therapy.
The MOU is written so it would take students out of extra-curriculars instead.
Another part of the agreement requires all vendors to supply background checks on any employees who work with students.
This is a developing story and will be updated.