MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOL HEALTH CENTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA

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MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOL HEALTH CENTERSIN NORTH
CAROLINA
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Brief Overview of State-Funded School Health
Centers in North Carolina

• Managed by School Health Unit of NC Division of
  Public Health
• Centers are partially supported by state funds
• 28 School Health Centers in 15 counties are
  included in NC Division of Public Healths school
  health center program
• 25 centers are school-based (most in middle and
  high schools) and 3 are school-linked
• All have community-based advisory councils and
  strong collaborative support from community
  partners
• Consultation/TA provided by state
  multi-disciplinary team

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Types of School Health Centers

• Comprehensive model
• Preventive
• Medical
• Nutrition
• Mental/behavioral health
• Health education

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Types of School Health Centers

• Alternate Model
• Offers Basic Health Services and at least one of
  the following services
• Preventive
• Medical
• Nutrition
• Mental Health
• Includes health risk screening and referral for
  medical and mental/behavioral risks

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School Health Center Sponsors

• Local Health Departments
• Hospitals
• Federally funded Community Health Centers
• 501 c 3 organizations

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Benefits of Integrating Health and Mental Health
Care in School Setting

• Holistic approach to adolescent healthscreening,
  assessment, treatment and /or referral for health
  and mental health issues
• Non-threatening setting for addressing mental
  health concerns
• On-site multi-disciplinary consultation available

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Framework for Mental/Behavioral Health in School
Health Centers

• NC Quality Assurance Standards
• Scope of Services
• Provider Qualifications
• Documentation Requirements
• Content areas for policies/procedures

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Framework for Mental/Behavioral Health Services

• Mental/Behavioral Health Performance Measures
• ADD/ADHD
• Inappropriate, violent or aggressive behavior
• Social skills/relationships
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Tobacco
• Alcohol/drugs

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Mental/Behavioral Health Scope of Services

• Prevention
• Psychosocial Screening
• Anticipatory Guidance
• Intervention/Treatment (Basic)
• Case Management
• Problem Solving/Supportive Counseling
• Situational Crisis Intervention
• Consultation to school and school based personnel
• Referral/follow-up

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Behavioral / Mental Health Scope of Services

• Intervention / Treatment (Advanced)
• Crisis Intervention Involving Serious
  Mental/Emotional Issues
• Short-Term Individual Psychotherapy
• Short-Term Group Psychotherapy
• Optional Services
• Psycho-educational Groups
• Psychological Testing
• Substance Abuse Treatment

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Mental Health Providers in School Health Centers

• Provider qualifications for each level of service
  are specified in Standards
• Must meet Medicaid and Health Choice requirements
  in order to bill
• Amount of mental health provider time varies
  across centers from 4 hours per week to 72 hours
  per week

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Mental Health Providers in School Health Centers
May Be

• Employed by centers sponsor
• Contractual (individual provider or private
  mental health agency)
• In-kind contribution (school, LME)

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Continuous Quality Improvement in School Health
Centers

• NC Quality Assurance Standards
• Mental Health Performance Measures
• Chart Review
• Center Multi-disciplinary Team Meetings
• Bi-Annual Reports to State
• Consultation/Technical Assistance from State
• Credentialing/Re-credentialing

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Technical Assistance for School Health Center
Behavioral/Mental Health Providers

• Clinical Issues
• CQI Process
• Credentialing
• Coding / Billing
• Policies/Procedures
• Orientation of New Staff
• Information about Resources
• Facilitation of Mental Health Work Group

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Questions/Information

• Contact
• Beverly Hester
• Beverly.hester_at_ncmail.net or 919-707-5604
• Or
• Dan Garson-Angert
• Daniel.garson.angert_at_ncmail.net or
• 919-707-5666