Children’s Mercy Hospital and the Blue Valley School District have formed a partnership they believe is unprecedented.
Beginning this upcoming school year, Children’s Mercy will be sending 19 social workers and an administrator to Blue Valley schools. The goal is to further enhance student well-being.
"I'm not aware of other hospitals that are doing this program,” said Mark Schmidt, assistant superintendent of well-being and student services for Blue Valley Schools.
Schmidt arrived eight years ago when he said school professionals noticed an increase in anxiety among students.
"They were noticing that we had more students in foster care or who were homeless or who were struggling food or security,” said Schmidt.
A mental health task force was formed. And although they feel resources to help students have been more available, there's still more help needed.
“Here recently we've seen about three suicides over the last two years,” said Schmidt.
Through a local third-party doctor, Blue Valley Schools was teamed up with Children's Mercy, which was already looking for a way to get more involved with the community.
"It’s harder than ever to be a kid and to face some of the challenges life throws your way,” said Carey Spain, director of social work care continuum at Children's Mercy Hospital.
Children’s Mercy is footing part of the bill to send social workers to Blue Valley Schools. The social workers will play a similar role as the existing counselors, only supplementing what's been an overwhelming need from students.
"They're going to be helping kids with mental health needs. They're going to be helping kids on specialized education plans,” said Spain.
The partnership will cost the school district $650,000. Schmidt believes there's no question it will be money well spent.
"We need to be more proactive and part of the social workers is to be more proactive to provide services to our kids,” he said.
Children's Mercy said they will not be mandating that Blue Valley students be referred to them if a medical professional is needed outside of school.
The partnership will be reevaluated after one year.
There are 37 schools in the Blue Valley School District.
