Schools considering elementary mental health facility

Oct. 12--A proposal by Youth Haven Services may allow the Stokes County School system to offer a day-treatment facility for elementary school students with mental health challenges that impair their ability to function in a traditional classroom setting.

The system currently offers a similar program for middle and high school students at Meadowbrook Academy, but has been unable to fund a such a program at the elementary school level in the past.

Director of Special Programs Traci Royal told the school board that the system's new mental health provider, Youth Haven Services, had proposed setting up a new facility in an existing modular unit at King Elementary School that could serve elementary students from throughout the county.

"They are willing to take on most of the costs to make it happen," said Royal.

Under the proposed agreement the school system would be responsible for cleaning out and cleaning up the existing modular unit that is currently being used for storage, but New Haven Services would pay for the the therapeutic staff and reimburse the school system for a half time faculty position needed to make the new center a reality.

"The only real cost to us will be to clean up the mobile unit," said Royal.

The program would help students with mental health issues to develop the skills and tools necessary eliminate or reduce the mental health symptoms so the students can return to their home school and be academically and socially successful.

"It will be good if we can start catching them at an earlier age," said Assistant Superintendent Tony George. "It is tougher to try to address these issues at older ages."

Royal said the system has been offering school based treatment for elementary students that need it, but they have not been able to offer a separate facility where the students can get more in-depth help.

Under the proposal Youth Haven Services will develop a child and family team for each referred student that includes the student, a parent or guardian and school personnel as well as an individual therapeutic plan for each child which will require parent participation.

Royal said King Elementary School was well-suited for the facility, not only because there was an existing mobile unit that could be used, but also because they offer pre-K services.

Parents of students attending the proposed day-treatment who already have students being transported to King Elementary School on county buses will be able to continue to use those buses, but parents with students at other schools who may need the facility would be responsible for their own transportation.

Royal said she had been very pleased with the services offered by Youth Haven Services.

"They are doing a great job at responding to referrals and responding to all of our schools," she said. " They seem really concerned about the kids."

The board will hear more on the proposal at its next meeting and is expected to vote on the matter at that time.

Royal said if the proposal is approved the new facility could be operational by January.

Nicholas Elmes may be reached at 336-591-8191 or on Twitter @NicholasElmes.

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