INTERAGENCY SUPPORT COUNCIL OF EASTERN WILLIAMSON COUNTY INC

Interagency Support Council of East Williamson County, Inc. recognizes the ongoing threat that the lack of mental health services poses to our community. During a time of reducing services for children and school cuts, our rural school-based mental health program remains crucial. The impact of this program has proven extremely beneficial. Therefore, Interagency remains committed to securing funding to continue providing community-based social service solutions, with school-based mental health as a top priority.
Preventing crises, early intervention and providing family support will help avoid severe mental health challenges. Our rural school-based mental health program serves in this capacity with on-campus mental health services for students, families, and staff in East Williamson County.

Texans Care for Children's Policy Recommendations, “Supporting children's and parents' mental health is a high priority for 2017, as reflected by the work of the House Select Committee on Mental Health as well as other efforts by state leaders". Funding for our school-based mental health project is of utmost importance. In addition to providing monetary support, each school district provides some combination of dedicated office space, desks/chairs, computers, phones, etc. to allow social workers a professional working environment.
Interagency board will explore how best to leverage support. Intervention Services will track the number of referrals, increased academic achievement, improved attendance and behavior. This comprehensive approach to mental health will allow seamless services, equip students for success and create a positive influence in the community.

Interagency has a 10-year history providing school-based mental health services. We have demonstrated positive outcomes, and witnessed an increase in services needed. We have seen academic achievement in students, excellent progress toward counseling goals, and improved parental involvement. School districts realize the positive effects of this program and continue to pay their portion of the program services. Funding has allowed the Interagency to contract with professional, school social workers- licensed and certified, with master's degrees in social work. Jaime Nelson provides Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner services through a contract with Interagency. A unique strength of the Interagency is the monthly networking lunch open to all non-profit organizations in the area. A dedicated bookkeeper is on board as well as a finance committee to provide oversight.

Since August 2007, students, families, and school personnel have benefited from group and individual counseling, consultations, crisis intervention and case management. By 2010, family therapy and psychiatric services were added. The number of days of requested services have increased from our start date in Bartlett, Granger, Thrall, Jerrell, and Coupland. Social workers have been trained in trauma, suicide prevention, mental health first aid, and other areas. The Interagency has built strong partnerships, and together, we have improved mental health services in East Williamson County. Funding remains an obstacle. Long term, we want everyone to have access to convenient mental health services.