Regional Policy Council webinar: Getting and funding mental health services in schools
Join Mental Health America’s Regional Policy Council to explore how to address the mental health needs of children and youth in schools. Throughout this session, we will provide examples of early intervention strategies and highlight how to maximize funding opportunities and innovations, including youth peer support.
Meet the speakers
Ben Harrington, CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee (MHAET) for 30 years, will discuss MHAET’s signature Mental Health 101, a school-based mental health and outreach program serving more than 34,000 middle and high school students annually at 160 schools from 45 school districts in 35 Tennessee counties.
Lindsey Stone, senior director of mental health programming at the McNabb Center, which provides school-based clinical services in East Tennessee, will speak about the successes and challenges of managing the center’s school-based services.
Caren Howard, senior director of policy and advocacy for Mental Health America, has over 13 years of experience in congressional and political affairs and advocacy. She will help attendees understand and take advantage of new federal rules, making it easier to fund school-based services through their state’s Medicaid programs. Howard will also talk about how to advocate for youth peer support, programs led by youth, and excused mental health absences.