NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) says its school-based behavioral health program is expanding to all 95 counties in the state.
The department says the program provides liaisons for face-to-face consultation with classroom teachers whose students are at-risk for Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), behavior problems or substance use disorders.
Liaisons also provide training and education for classroom teachers and serve as a link between schools and families.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting so many facets of life, there has never been a time of greater focus on the mental health of our children, youth, and young adults. It is both fortunate and fortuitous that Governor Lee and the General Assembly budgeted the funding to expand this much-needed service,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Marie Williams.
Currently, the program serves elementary, middle and high schools in 36 Tennessee counties. To expand the program, the department says Gov. Bill Lee budgeted and the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated an increase of $3 million for the current fiscal year.
