The program trains local residents as community health workers and service navigators, who help connect students and families to behavioral health resources through telehealth capabilities, according to an April 5 news release.
It was made possible through a $500,000 matching grant from Point32Health — formerly the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation — and MCD Global, which leveraged the matching grant and acquired additional funding from the Pull Up Fund, Maine Health Access Foundation, Bingham Program and Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.
The initiative has now accumulated $1.5 million in funding and matched 30 students with behavioral health providers across four schools. It is on track to match 50 more students by July through year-round support.