With the assistance of full grant funding, the Washington Community School District will soon be offering mental health care access for students in each building.

At Wednesday’s school board meeting, Special Education Director Sam Brinning explained there is a need and this will increase access to care for students, “And what those funds are intended to cover is if a student is either under-insured or not insured at all, and cannot benefit from maybe wrap-around funds that we have in our community then the school district could end up covering those costs for students, so finances aren’t a boundary.”

Service providers will be going to each of the buildings weekly, and will collaborate with the school guidance counselors. Superintendent Jeff Dicks said it prevents students from missing time away from school, “And the other benefit is in-district the kid doesn’t miss more than they need to. We provide the place, service, and back to class. Parents don’t have to get involved, and parents will be fully aware obviously, because some of these kids are younger than you’d expect.”

Board member Troy Suchan said it will be a relief to parents, as they won’t have to take time away from work for their children to receive care. The district hopes to start the program as early as October 15th, working with area providers in a community-based effort.