Frontier Health and Planning District One Behavioral Health Services (PD1) are excited to announce that we have been selected by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as one of the grantees for a School Based Mental Health Services award. This new funding, in the amount of $936,317.00 over the next three and one half years will provide PD1, in partnership with Frontier Health, the opportunity to expand outpatient therapy and case management services throughout the Lee County Public School System. The new School Based Mental Health Services award can potentially serve an estimated 856 students in six schools, reducing the transportation barrier to accessing essential services.
“Our team with Frontier Health is really excited to partner with Lee County Public School System to enhance and expand on the services that we have been providing to children and adolescents in Lee County. In partnership with School Superintendent Brian Dean, we submitted a grant request to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health Services earlier this year and were awarded funding for the services. In the past two years, we have seen an increase in children’s mental health needs nationwide and we are working to address those needs locally. We appreciate the working relationships that we have with all services agencies in Lee County and especially with the Board of Supervisors who assist in funding services and with the Lee County Public Schools.” - Sandy O’Dell, Executive Director of Planning District One
Over the 3 1/2-year grant period, funds will be allocated for:
- Two outpatient therapist positions to provide individual, group, and family therapy. These therapists will also receive training in three evidence-based treatment models.
- One case manager to offer wraparound services for truant students and/or those placed in the system’s alternative education classroom. This case manager will assist those students reintegrate into their home school.
- Coordination of care with other providers.
- Consultation to school personnel, including on how to deal with students in crisis.
- Home visits to introduce and educate parents about services.
“Lee County Public Schools is thankful for the opportunity to partner with Frontier Health as a grant recipient of The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide school-based mental health services for our student population. Lee County Public Schools acknowledges the importance of social and emotional learning, as well as identifies the need to ensure that all students have access to mental health services. This partnership will greatly promote and provide awareness to mental health treatment options, as this is an increasingly growing necessity nationwide.” – Brian Dean, Division Superintendent of Lee County Public Schools