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Catania Hears Update on School Mental Health Programs |
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School Mental Health Initiative Entering Third Year
Washington, DC – Today,Councilmember David Catania, Chair of the Committee on Health, held a hearing to discuss the School-Based Mental Health Program in the District of Columbia. At the hearing, the Department of Mental Health (DMH) gave an update on their progress with the 3-year old initiative. According to DMH officials, 1,133 students were screened and referred for treatment during the 2007-08 school year – a 12.5% increase. In addition, DMH expanded mental health services to six additional schools for a total of 58 and began a project aimed at assisting primary school children to adjust to the school environment.
Catania commended DMH officials for their work on the program and for the great outcomes they are achieving with District youth. However he said, “We must also ensure that the program is best prepared to meet the needs of the community at large and address the problems facing our children today.”
DMH also provided a status report on the new Two-Tiered School-Based Mental Health Services Model which allowed DMH to expand to ten additional schools without an increase in funding. DMH plans to implement mental health initiatives in several D.C. Public and Public Charter schools.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 24 October 2008 )
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