Behavioral Health in Schools

Mental health conditions can affect anyone including school-aged children. One in 5 children is affected by a mental health condition. The two most common conditions among children and adolescents are anxiety and depression but other difficulties can affect their ability to benefit from their classroom.

Mental health issues among children are described as serious changes in the way they learn, behave or handle their emotions that causes distress and problems getting through the day. It's important to watch for symptoms in children because they can affect a childs overall health and relationships throughout life. Identifying problems early can help children get the support they need.

School professionals (i.e., counselor, social worker, psychologist, nurse, etc) can make referrals to community mental health providers after getting parent/guardian consent. The School-Based Universal Referral Form can be found on the AHCCCS website at www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Initiatives/BehavioralHealthServices/.

 

If a school district or school within Arizona would like information on behavioral health providers within their geographic area or are interested in obtaining a partnership with a behavioral health provider, schools can reach out to Lauren Tomchak, TomchakL@mercycareaz.org for more information.

The Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund (CBHSF), in Senate Bill 1523, provides funding for behavioral health services for children who are uninsured or underinsured when behavioral health services are referred through an educational institution. Schools that meet the requirement are able to refer students for behavioral health services and services can be provided on or off school campuses.

For more information on this funding, go to the AHCCCS website Accessing Behavioral Health Services in Schools.

 

Provider Name

Contact Information

Arizona Youth & Family Services

Direct:  602-277-4833 x 303

Referral Email: QSPreferral@azyfs.org 

Brain Solutions PLLC

Jonathan C. Mackey,

Mackey@brainsolutionsaz.com 

Community Bridges, Inc.*

AMATReferrals@cbridges.com 

Family Involvement Center*

Parent Assistance Center/Parent HelpLine  

602-288-0155

Vania Schmidt, Vania@FamilyInvolvementCenter.org  
Olivia Ruiz,  Olivia@FamilyInvolvementCenter.org
Sarah Fleming, Sarah@FamilyInvolvementCenter.org

Free Life Wellness

Courtney Gooch, courtneyg@freelifewellnesscenter.com

Horizon Health and Wellness

HHW Eligibility and Benefits Department: EB@hhwaz.org

 

Jewish Family and Children’s Service

Referrals should be sent to the existing CSRC fax # 602-254-8611

CSRC Telephone # 602-256-0528

LaFrontera-EMPACT

Referrals-Outpatient@lafrontera-empact.org

or EMPACTPinalInfoLiaison@lafrontera-empact.org 

Lifeline PCS

Referrals: healthhome@lifelinepcs.com 

New Hope of Arizona, Inc.*

Email: referral@newhopeofarizona.com

Open Hearts

Email: opreferrals@openheartsaz.org 

Phone: 602-285-5550

Paper Cranes Healthcare

Email: sbpreferrals@papercraneshealthcare.com 

Resilient Health

1-877-779-2470 or 602-995-1767

Email referrals to: Referrals@rhaz.org

Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H)

SchoolBasedReferrals@sbhservices.org

Southwest Network

602-304-0014  childrensleadership@southwestnetwork.org

Spectrum Healthcare

anywherecarereferral@spectrumhg.org 

Terros Health

ChildrensDepartment@terroshealth.org

602-685-6000

The Resolution Group Inc.*

referrals@trzg.net

480 962-9288 X 2

Touchstone Health Services

Members: Member Services at 866-207-3882

Schools: Erica Chavez Erica.Chavez@touchstonebh.org

Valle Del Sol

SchoolOutreach@valledelsol.com

 

*=Specialty Provider