School and Behavioral Health Partnerships Guide

In collaboration with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the Arizona Department of Education is proud to provide the School and Behavioral Health Partnerships Guide for principals and school mental health professionals to help increase students’ access to the mental health care system. In addition, the Arizona Department of Education is mindful of student wellbeing impacted by the pandemic and the challenges they may experience when adjusting to in-person learning as schools reopen. Some students may need formal support from community behavioral health partners. To help families connect students to needed supports, the Department of Education partnered with state and national agencies to develop guidance on how to access the mental health system of care in Arizona to include funding sources that offer free and/or reduced services for all Arizona students. Due to Covid relief funding and SB1523, students who are not currently eligible for Medicaid, are uninsured or underinsured, can receive mental health services at no cost through the Community Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) allocated to Title XIX/XXI funding or through the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund.

Mental Health Considerations & Guidance to Referral Process for Schools in Arizona