A new partnership will place licensed behavioral health clinicians on three Waco ISD middle school campuses to expand access to counseling and support for students.
WACO, Texas — Waco Family Medicine and Waco ISD are launching a new partnership to expand behavioral health services for middle school students by placing licensed clinicians directly on school campuses.
The pilot program will begin this academic year at Cesar Chavez, Tennyson and G.W. Carver middle schools. The initiative aims to offer early identification and treatment for students experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD and other behavioral health challenges.
The collaboration builds on Waco Family Medicine’s effort to provide community-based care. The organization already operates mobile dental clinics in schools and is developing an optometry and vision program with Transformation Waco and Waco ISD.
“Behavioral health is essential to whole-person health,” said Dr. Jackson Griggs, CEO of Waco Family Medicine. “When students have access to clinical care where they learn and grow, we can identify needs early, treat them effectively and change the trajectory of a child’s life.”
District leaders said the clinicians’ services will complement, not replace, the work of existing school counselors and support agencies.
“Our students and staff deserve the absolute best we can give,” Waco ISD Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spicer said. “This partnership ensures that students in need have access to compassionate, professional care right on their campuses. When we invest in the whole child, we strengthen our entire community.”