There has been an increase of 44 school-based mental health programs in schools since June, 2000. DMH collaborated with Communities In Schools - South Carolina to provide training, technical assistance for these programs. Evaluation is contracted through the University of Wisconsin at Madison. SC DMH has 221 mental health professionals located in schools working with guidance programs, teachers and administrative staff to assist as needed in each particular school environment. The MHPs offer services to students and families and school staff as requested.
Parental consent is obtained prior to services for student in schools.
There has been an increase of 24 mental health professionals in SC schools since June 2000. College interns from the departments of psychology, social work, and education provide services to students in some schools in the areas of counseling, groups, mentor programs, tutoring and recreational activities. Psychiatric resident interns from William S. Hall Institute are available in some schools to provide consultative services to school staff and teachers, and psychiatrists offer medical appointments for families and children in schools in a few communities. The programs' focus on prevention and early intervention for the youth and families located in a specific school. All 17 CMHCs have school-based programs as the following chart illustrates.