State education officials described expanded school‑based mental‑health services, but warned that a persistent shortage of therapists limits immediate access to long‑term care.

The department described a three‑tiered approach: universal prevention and first‑response training for school staff (tier 1); mental‑health service coordinators and targeted supports for students with short‑term or moderate needs (tier 2); and referral to clinical therapy when students need ongoing treatment (tier 3). The department said the legislature funded 114 mental‑health service coordinator positions this year to facilitate local partnerships and provide tier‑2 supports in schools.

Dr. Warfield, the department’s mental‑health lead, explained coordinators’ responsibilities: facilitating connections to school‑based community health centers, supporting counselors and social workers, and helping arrange therapy provided by community mental‑health providers. She and other staff emphasized the department’s focus on training, early‑warning systems and stronger referral pathways.

Board members and staff said the biggest operational challenge is therapist availability for tier‑3 care. The department noted community providers and the Alabama Department of Mental Health are partners for therapy services, and that those agencies can bill Medicaid or insurance for clinical sessions; the education agency itself does not bill Medicaid for therapy. Staff said some districts are using telehealth to bridge gaps, but both department and mental‑health partners cautioned teletherapy is not a universal substitute for in‑person treatment in more serious cases.

Officials outlined additional steps: expanding the number of districts that participate in school‑based mental‑health collaboratives, increasing training for teachers and staff (including Youth Mental Health First Aid), and using brief screening tools to check student well‑being. The department said it will run training sessions this fall and that districts which hired their own coordinators without grant awards may participate in the department’s September training.

Board members praised the expansion but urged the department and legislative partners to address workforce shortages and insurance/payment barriers so therapy can be delivered at scale.