Utah: State house working on $32.1M plan for school mental health services

Feb 28, 2019, Utah, Deseret News: Utah House committee endorses bill to target $32.1M for school mental health, support services https://www.ksl.com/article/46501108/utah-house-committee-endorses-bill-to-target-321m-for-school-mental-health-support-services SALT LAKE CITY — There is an acute need for more mental health providers and other support personnel in schools, educators and community members told the House Education Committee on Thursday. … Two years ago, the school district "scraped together" funding for a licensed social worker to serve five elementary schools. "We're having tremendous success, but he's spread so thin," Douglas said. The district needs another licensed clinical social worker and three therapists for its secondary students, he said. Douglas urged committee members to support HB373, sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, which would appropriate to the Utah State Board of Education more than $32.1 million ongoing for school support personnel or permit schools to contract with local mental health authorities for students who need clinical services. "Our goal is to hire immediately using these funds," Douglas said. Eliason said HB373 would build upon the efforts of previous legislation he sponsored to provide matching grants to schools to hire more school counselors. Under HB373, "qualifying personnel" would include school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers or school nurses. These professionals will collaborate with educators and a student's parents on early identification and intervention of the student's academic and mental health needs. … In Carbon County, a flyer was sent home to parents asking if they would like their child to undergo mental health screening. "I believe 90 percent of parents opted in voluntarily," Eliason said…. "My only regret about this bill is, it's long overdue," said Eliason….