During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the expansion of a multi-tiered mental health support model aimed at enhancing student well-being across Utah schools. Erin, a representative from the Utah State Board of Education, highlighted the importance of layered support systems, particularly in rural communities that have shown a strong interest in school-based health partnerships.

Tanya Albernoz, the board's coordinator for prevention, elaborated on the tiered system of support, which is designed to address both academic and behavioral challenges. The model consists of three tiers: Tier 1 includes universal strategies that benefit all students, Tier 2 provides targeted small group interventions for about 20% of students needing additional support, and Tier 3 offers intensive, individualized strategies for roughly 5% of students requiring more specialized assistance.

The meeting also featured Shelley Cooper, program development manager for the school-based telehealth program, who reported significant success in Wasatch County. Over the past two years, the program has seen a 326% increase in telehealth visits, with nearly 27,000 health room visits recorded last year. Notably, 96% of participating students remained in school, contributing to a reduction in chronic absenteeism. The program, which operates on an opt-in basis, has garnered strong parental support, with over 90% choosing to participate.

Cooper emphasized the program's financial benefits, noting that it provides affordable healthcare options for families, with costs as low as $69 per visit. The initiative is set to expand from servicing nine schools to over 60, further enhancing access to mental health resources for students across the state.