Ten Sleep School participates in statewide mental health services connection program

Wyoming Superintendent of Schools Megan Degenfelder and the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) announce Care Coordination, a free statewide service connecting Wyoming students, families, and school district staff with mental health care providers both locally and nationally.

This resource will create the opportunity for improved mental wellbeing while keeping Wyoming parents in charge. The program also furthers the WDE’s strategic plan initiative to value and support teachers. 

In a press release, Degenfelder said, “Mental and behavioral health of students was one of the top issues I heard about on the campaign trail, and it was an issue I promised to address. If our students are not physically or mentally well, we cannot expect them to learn.”

“Parents are the number one decision maker when it comes to their child’s physical and mental health. Our role in education is not to take the place of parents, but rather to connect parents with as many resources and choices as possible so they have all the tools to best meet their child’s mental health needs. Care Coordination does exactly that. Parents can get help for their child quickly, effectively and on their own terms.” 

Not only does Care Coordination connect individuals with provider options, but it does so more efficiently and quickly. On average it takes an individual making 60 calls over four to five weeks to be matched with a mental health provider. With Care Coordination, individuals in need are typically matched with providers in under a week. This confidential and anonymous service will help those seeking care overcome the many barriers they experience such as language, long wait times, and insurance complexities. 

There are currently 24 school districts participating in the Care Coordination program statewide. Among those are Ten Sleep/Washakie County School District No. 2, all four districts in Big Horn County and all three districts in Park County.

Ten Sleep Supt. Annie Griffin said they have participated the last two months and said they decided to join the program because it offers free searching for families for counseling services. “It takes the burden off families in making multiple calls and having to find counseling providers,” she said.

Griffin said families can enter the system on their own or have the district do a “Warm Handoff” by entering them in the system. Once the family is in the system they include what they are looking for regarding services. Families can decide if the provider is the right fit for their child and family.

She said the services are also available for staff.

They have had a “couple of successful warm hand-offs” since they began participation, Griffin said. “Because we are such a small community, there are only so many providers in the area, it can also connect them to telehealth providers. It can open doors for families that maybe would not be open without this service,” Griffin said.

The WDE has contracted with Care Solace, a trusted national provider to deliver these mental health care coordination services.

According to the press release, “The services of Care Solace have proven invaluable. The assistance in connecting families with vital mental health resources has demonstrably reduced stress for both our caring staff and families facing crisis,” said Craig Barringer, Superintendent at Sweetwater County School District #2.

For more information about Care Coordination, visit https://edu.wyoming.gov/for-district-leadership/health-safety/.