Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is contracting with mental health provider Cartwheel to launch a countywide, school-based telehealth initiative aimed at reaching 50,000 students in its first year.
This program will expand access to telemental health services across Maricopa County, focusing on areas designated as medically underserved based on criteria such as provider shortages and barriers to care. In many of these communities, families can wait months to access mental health services. MCDPH has identified an initial list of schools and Cartwheel will be reaching out to gauge interest in participation.
“Providing behavioral health services to students in their schools is enormously effective,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee, District 3. “We can connect with students and their families and more quickly identify and address behaviors that could lead to harmful outcomes.”
Through this partnership, participating K-12 schools can refer students to evidence-based therapy, family support, parent coaching, and psychiatric care through a coordinated model that works alongside existing school support systems. Services are voluntary and require parental consent, with families involved throughout care. Initial telehealth appointments are often available within about a week, helping connect students to licensed providers in days rather than months. Cartwheel will bill the family’s insurance, and Maricopa County will supplement any remaining costs, ensuring no family is denied services due to inability to pay.
Cartwheel brings experience supporting school districts across Arizona, including rural counties, through a statewide initiative led by the Arizona Department of Education. The telehealth model supports Maricopa County’s efforts to expand access to mental health services locally, particularly for students in areas where care is harder to access.
“Every student in Maricopa County deserves access to high-quality mental health care without waiting months, without transportation barriers, and without cost standing in the way,” said Dr. Juliana Chen, child and adolescent psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel. “We have spent the past year building the clinical team and community relationships needed to serve Maricopa County families from day one.”
MCDPH competitively awarded approximately $586,000 in Juul Labs settlement funding to Cartwheel to support this work. The initial contract began April 1 and is expected to continue through the 2026–2027 school year. Cartwheel and MCDPH staff will guide planning, onboarding, and coordination of the program.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to practical, community-based solutions that improve access to care and support student well-being,” said Carmen Batista, MCDPH administrator for the Health Outreach, Partnerships, & Empowerment (HOPE) division. “By working closely with schools and families, we are building a system that is responsive, sustainable, and designed to meet the needs of our communities.”
School districts in Maricopa County interested in this program and potential future partnership opportunities can learn more by contacting Cartwheel.
About Maricopa County Department of Public Health
Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is the 3rd largest health jurisdiction in the U.S., working to improve health outcomes for over 4 million residents. Our vision is a healthy, thriving community for all. We advance this vision through a data-driven, partner-supported approach that ensures everyone has the resources they need to make and maintain healthy choices.
About Cartwheel
Cartwheel is the nation’s largest and most trusted telehealth provider for K-12 schools, students, and families. Cartwheel partners with 350 school districts across 15 states to deliver comprehensive mental health services to students, families, and school staff. Founded in 2022 by educators and clinicians, Cartwheel combines evidence-based clinical care with technology to ensure every child has access to high-quality mental health support. Cartwheel accepts all major insurance plans including Medicaid and provides care at no cost to uninsured families.
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Public Health media contact: Courtney Kreuzwiesner, 602-540-5473, c.kreuzwiesner@maricopa.gov
Cartwheel media contact: Emily Paisner, emily.paisner@cartwheelcare.org