[Huntsville, AL] – WellStone announces the strategic expansion of its School-Based Therapy Program with the placement of a therapist in every Madison County and Huntsville City school, beginning with the FY19-20 academic year. The School-Based Therapy Program is operated by WellStone’s Nova Center for Youth & Family, and it serves over 1,500 students in 60+ schools across North Alabama each year.
The program helps children and adolescents who are facing behavioral, emotional, cognitive or crisis management issues to receive counseling during school hours. WellStone School-Based Manager Brittany Scott says, “Far too often, students aren’t able to receive the counseling services they need either because they lack transportation to a counselor’s office, or they miss too much time at school. On-site counselors remove barriers to treatment by providing proximity and easy access to services. This arrangement benefits parents as much as the students.”
Scott continues, “Expanding this program is an incredible milestone for WellStone. Our partnership with the public-school systems demonstrates how we can impact students’ mental health and wellness when we collaborate to achieve common goals.” She adds, “The mental health of our students is becoming more and more of a priority. When we work with education and community leaders who share that passion, our possibilities are endless.”
Dr. Cary Grant of Huntsville City Schools adds, “Nova’s school-based therapists are essential to our students who have situations and barriers that are out of their control. The Nova therapist allows students to be in attendance while simultaneously receiving counseling services that address barriers that could potentially hinder their educational progress. Overall, we are pleased that our students and parents can conveniently and confidentially receive counseling services that provide interventions and strategies throughout the student and parents educational career.”
More Huntsville City Schools professionals shared their praise for WellStone’s School-Based Therapy Program:
- “I appreciate the partnership between Huntsville City Schools and Wellstone/Nova School-based Therapy Services. Nova therapists are responsive to the needs of our students and collaborate in a productive manner with our school counselors and administrators.” – Leigh Ann Brown, M.Ed, Counseling Services, Coordinator, Huntsville City Schools
- “I have worked with the Wellstone/Nova School-based Therapy Services for many years. Nova school-based therapy services provides an extra layer of social-emotional support for our students. It also aligns with the goals in Huntsville City Schools Strategic Plan, Pillar II, the Whole Student.” – Donna Clark, Coordinator, Behavioral Learning, Huntsville City Schools
Allen Perkins serves as Madison County Schools Director of Equity and Innovation. He shared, “I truly appreciate our partnership with WellStone. Our students, schools and community benefit greatly from Wellstone’s services.”
To request services from a school-based counselor or to learn about the School-Based Therapy Program, contact WellStone’s Nova Center at 256.705.6493.
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About Wellstone Inc.: WellStone Inc. is a non-profit community organization that provides mental health and substance abuse services supporting the integrated health of the whole person. WellStone operates 12 facilities throughout North Alabama and Cullman. WellStone is certified through the Alabama Department of Mental Health. WellStone offers programs for children, adolescents, adults, substance abuse, school-based outreach, community services and more. For more information, visit www.wellstone.com. Additional media inquiries can be directed to the Communications Office by emailing pr@wellstone.com or by calling (256) 705-6301.