Success Beyond Six is a Medicaid program that allows schools to partner with their designated community mental health agencies to provide mental health services in schools. The intent of Success Beyond Six is to both strengthen the partnership between schools and mental health agencies so both entities may meet the needs of students and families as well as reduce the cost burden on education by using Medicaid for eligible services to eligible students. These services include counseling, behavioral supports, consultation to schools, and therapeutic schools. Services and supports can be tailored depending on the needs of schools and students. Last year there were 181 partnerships with schools and supervisory unions/districts in Vermont funding 605 full-time mental health employees supporting schools. Learn more about this collaborative program that supports children’s social, emotional and behavioral needs.

Please note that because this program is Medicaid funded it has to meet eligibility requirements for the services and those receiving the services. There is some room to support some non-Medicaid eligible students with counseling, but it is limited. Additionally, the clinicians may have capacity to work with the schools at a systems-level, which impacts all students, but that is dependent on the school’s capacity to prioritize that work.

Presenters:

• Laurel Omland, MS, NCC, Director of the Child, Adolescent and Family Unit in the Vermont Department of Mental Health
• Marianna Donnally, LICSW, School Mental Health Programs Manager in the Vermont Department of Mental Health