Sept 5, 2018, Munster, IN, NWI Times: Portage schools open proposals for mental health providers for students https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-schools-open-proposals-for-mental-health-providers-for-students/article_c3e85f35-d393-5566-85a0-9724f35e0572.html
PORTAGE — The Portage Township Schools board took its next step in providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health care services to students this past week.
The board opened requests for proposals from two area counseling services. The proposals from Porter-Starke Services of Valparaiso and Crown Counseling of Crown Point where taken under advisement. A contract is expected to be awarded at a meeting next month.
Superintendent Amanda Alaniz said the effort to bring counseling services to students and families is part of the district's seven-part school safety plan introduced in June….
"They said they wanted mental health services for themselves or their peers," said Alaniz.
Alaniz said the chosen provider would offer clinical assessments, individual and family therapy, medication management, on-site training and consultations and day treatment as an alternative to suspension or expulsion.
The proposals did not include a cost to the school district. Alaniz said the provider would bill the student's insurance company to cover the costs. In the case of a student not having insurance, the school district would pick up the cost for the services.
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017