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Lamoille South Supervisory Union
The Lamoille South Supervisory Union was grateful to receive a grant from the Agency of Education through Act 112 to facilitate support for student mental health. The needs in Lamoille County are high and like most places around the country, we have families that are navigating rising inflation, economic hardship, and an opioid epidemic that is taking a toll on our schools and community. According to the Department of Health, Morristown has recently experienced a 300% increase in fatal opioid overdoses and critical staffing shortages are facing our local mental health agencies. Despite their best efforts, these agencies have reported waiting lists with over 200 potential youth clients.
By funding a school-based coordinator, Act 112 provides a path forward when considering a proven model for supporting students and caregivers. Schools are often the safe space where children come every day and the coordinator was able to bring mental health services to the students while also offering support after school hours. In partnership with Lamoille Health Partners, we were able to hire a clinician that worked flexible hours, enabling her to support students and families during school and outside of the academic day at the local community center. Lamoille Health Partners supported this space where children had an environment with caring adults to spend time after school. The combination of these two supports benefited many families who were able to have increased access to mental health support and other health services offered by Lamoille Health Partners (e.g., pediatrician, dental, respite).
The position was designed with the support of the administrative and counseling team working in collaboration throughout all three towns (Elmore, Morristown, and Stowe). It was based on a model in Massachusetts that has been working successfully for nearly two decades in Suffolk County Mental Health, just north of Boston. After piloting this position successfully, Lamoille South was able to garner support for funding the clinician with federal grant dollars in the coming year. We will also be working to expand this role and hire additional clinicians in the coming years