County to reestablish school-based mental health clinic in New Lebanon; services billed to insurance

The Human Services division told the committee on July 15 that the county will reestablish a school-based mental health satellite clinic in the New Lebanon School District, beginning with one day a week and an identified clinician.

Why it matters: County officials said the school-based clinic aims to reduce barriers to care — in particular transportation — for students who otherwise struggle to access county mental-health services.

Human Services staff member Kate told the committee the clinic will begin with one day per week split between an elementary building and the middle/high school building. "We are currently looking at 1 day a week," Kate said, and added that the county already has "approximately 15, maybe a handful more referrals from the school that included parents signed releases and referrals."

Funding and operations: Kate said services will be provided as billable clinical care — primarily through Medicaid and commercial insurance — rather than as a county-subsidized program. "It's all billable services," she said, adding that the arrangement is intended to be financially sustainable.

The county identified one clinician, Stephanie, to staff the site. Kate said the plan is to maintain services through the summer when an administrator is present and to explore telehealth options during short breaks when an on-site administrator may be absent.

Committee members asked about continuity across school breaks and whether the county would expand hours if demand grows; Kate said the department expects New Lebanon to request additional days if referrals continue and that the county will assess viability.

Ending: The committee supported the reestablishment and asked the department to report back on utilization and reimbursement outcomes; no new county operating subsidy was authorized at the meeting.