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Behavioral health in
schools

The state of Arizona created the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund (CBHSF) so that all students can receive behavioral health services. It means we can help more people — even if you’re not a Mercy Care member.

Whole health for students

Whole health for students

Mental health issues can affect anyone, including students in school. In fact, they affect 1 in 6 children before age 8. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common in children and youth. Other problems can also affect their ability to benefit from the classroom.

 

What are mental health issues? These include serious changes in the way children learn, behave or manage emotions. Changes like this can cause distress and trouble getting through the day. Finding problems early means students can get the support they need. And that means better whole health. 

What’s covered and who benefits

What’s covered and who benefits

Schools can give students a referral to counseling for:

 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Social isolation
  • Stress
  • Behavioral issues
  • Any other mental health service

 

Those who can take part are uninsured or underinsured Arizona students. They can receive these services on or off school campus (depending on the provider). 

Referrals and coverage

You’ll want to check with your child’s school for a referral to behavioral health services. You could receive services from these sources:

 

 

Not a Mercy Care member? We can help you get started with benefits from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Call us at 602-586-1841 or 1-800-564-5465 (TTY 711). We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Mercy Care contact for Maricopa County school districts and schools

Are you with a Maricopa County school district or school? You can email Lauren Tomchak to:

 

  • Get more info about behavioral health
  • Find behavioral health providers in your area
  • Learn about partnerships with behavioral health providers

School staff can contact these providers to ask questions or get help completing referral forms. 

 

Arizona Youth & Family Services (AYFS) 

Email Jennifer Sander

Phone: 602-277-4833 Extension: 303 

Referral email

AYFS School Referral and FAQs (PDF)

 

Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) 

Email Shannon Powell

CBI Adolescent Referral Form (PDF)

 

Devereux 

Maricopa County Referrals

Email Valerie Malone

Devereux CBHSF Referral Form (PDF)

 

Family Involvement Center* 

Parent Assistance Center/Parent HelpLine   

602-288-0155 

Email Vania Schmidt

Email Olivia Ruiz

Email Sarah Fleming

FIC Referral Form for School Services (PDF)

 

Horizon Health and Wellness 

Email HHW Eligibility and Benefits Department

HHW School Referral Form (PDF)

 

Jewish Family and Children’s Service 

Referral CSRC fax: 602-254-8611 

CSRC phone: 602-256-0528 

JFCS BH Referral Form (PDF)

 

LaFrontera-EMPACT 

Referral email

LaFrontera-EMPACT Referral Form (PDF)

 

New Hope of Arizona, Inc.* 

Email Juan Alvarez

New Hope School Referral Form (PDF)

 

Open Hearts 

General email

Referral email

Phone: 602-285-5550 

Open Hearts Family Wellness Referral Form (PDF)

 

Resilient Health 

1-877-779-2470 or 602-995-1767 

Referral email

Resilient Health Referral Form (PDF)

 

Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H) 

Email SB&H

Southwest Behavioral & Health Services Referral School Form (PDF)

 

Southwest Network 

Phone: 602-304-0014   

Email Southwest Network

SWN School Referral Form (PDF)

 

Terros Health 

Phone: 602-389-3660 

Email Terros Health

Terros School Referral Forms 

English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

 

The Resolution Group Inc.* 

Phone: 480-962-9288 Extension: 2 

Email The Resolution Group Inc.

The Resolution Group School Referral Form (PDF)

 

Touchstone Health Services 

Member phone: 1-866-207-3882 

School email  

THS Referral Form (PDF)

 

Valle Del Sol 

Email Valle Del Sol

Valle Del Sol Referral Form (PDF)

 

* = specialty provider

More about behavioral health in schools

You can learn more about behavioral health in schools.

Questions about this grant? Email Lauren Tomchak. Or call 602-586-1841 or 1-800-564-5465 (TTY 711). We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mental health block grant

You can also learn about the mental health block grant. This grant funds mental health services for people with serious mental illness (SMI).

Not yet a member?

Learn about becoming a member in Mercy Care Medicaid plans or Mercy Care Advantage.