B6.06 -  Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Mental Health Care, Inc. d/b/a Gracepoint for Exceptional Student Education Services, 2020/2021 (Climate and Culture)  

We request approval of the agreement with Gracepoint for the continuation of services for the 2020/2021 school year.  Since August 1994, the district has contracted with Gracepoint to provide therapeutic services, coordination of resources and case management for students and their families.  Gracepoint personnel provide on site therapies and support to students being served in behavior support programs including students identified as having Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (E/BD), Other Health Impairment (OHI), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  The goal of this service is to improve behavior and increase the academic success of our E/BD, OHI, and ASD students with intense behavioral needs.

Students with intense behavioral challenges may also need mental health supports.  To achieve successful outcomes, students and families benefit when mental health services that are integrated into the total school program with wrap around services provided to families.  EB/D, OHI, and ASD students with intense behavior needs require supports from a mental health therapist including psychosocial assessments, mental health therapy, and case management for the student and family.

During the 2019/2020 school year, Gracepoint provided psychiatric, respite, counseling, and wrap around services for approximately 143 students (PreK – High School) being served in behavior support classes at exceptional student education centers.  The program supports included a full-time program supervisor, four full-time therapists, and a therapeutic mentor serving students and families.  The therapists provided individual, family and group therapy to students and their families, and helped to provide referrals to other resources within the community. The Gracepoint staff work collaboratively with the school teams on behavior and mental health for students with disabilities.  When students transition back to a less restrictive environment or a new school, the therapists follow them to assist in making the change a positive experience.  

Gracepoint therapists will continue providing services at Mendez/Carver Exceptional Center, South County Exceptional Center, and Simmons Exceptional Center. For the 2020/2021 school year, services will be expanded to six additional sites including Citrus Park, Kimbell, and Palm River Elementary Schools, and Greco, Progress Village, and Smith Middle Schools. The Gracepoint therapists will provide individual, family, and group therapy up to two hours a week, as well as individual educational plan counseling on a multidisciplinary level. Because the Gracepoint therapists are on site, intense, flexible, right-time supports can be provided to students.  These supports range from crisis intervention to in class supports that promote the integration of strategies learned.  The therapists will also complete psychosocial assessments, mental status evaluations, treatment plans, and assist the schools with completing threat assessments. Some of the therapies provided to the students will include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy techniques, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Grief Therapy as needed. There is also a focus on Anger Management, Behavioral Modification, increasing social interaction, the development of personal skills, anxiety management and coping skills, identifying specific educational goals, and crisis intervention.

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child

* Develop a culture of respect, trust, collaboration and equity

* Engage and communicate with families and stakeholders

That the Board approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Mental Health Care, Inc. d/b/a Gracepoint for Exceptional Student Education Services, 2020/2021.

Kimberly Workman, General Director, Exceptional Student Education, kimberly.workman@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7025
Tracye H. Brown, Chief of Climate and Culture, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4879

Funds will be available to serve students with disabilities needing intense behavioral supports, E/BD, OHI, and ASD.  $517,098.30 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs Individuals with Disabilities Education Act budget and $27,215.70 will be included from the divisional general operating budget not to exceed $544,314.