HUTTO — More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control, yet of those, fewer than half will receive help for their disorders. Hutto Independent School District is taking steps to change that statistic for its students and staff utilizing a bevy of free mental health resources.
“Our school counseling ratio is one of the best ratios in our area,” said Jennifer Porter, director of student services. “It’s a truly tiered approach to providing counseling services.”
Hutto ISD currently supports the mental health of its students and staff with 26 certified school counselors, six district Licensed Mental Health Professionals and four LMHPs contracted from Impact Counseling, one of whom is dedicated solely to serving district staff.
“Our school counselors are the first line of defense for students. Every student in the building has access to a school counselor. Then, students who might need additional support have access to the student services team. Those are the LMHPs that we employ here in the district. We like to say that they’re really providing case management services,” Porter said.
Students can receive mental health services by being referred through their counselor. Parental permission is required for students to receive these services.
There are various reasons a child may be referred to the special services team, including a student experiencing homelessness, major life changes, demonstrating suicidal outlooks, being under investigation for bullying or being in the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program or Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program.
As of the end of September, the district had received 76 referrals from the elementary schools, 45 referrals from the middle school, 29 referrals from the Ninth Grade Center, 77 from the high school, 12 from River Horse Academy and 42 from DAEP. Porter said the 281 total referrals is on track to equal last year’s number.
As part of the overall approach to mental health care, the district works with other resources in addition to Impact Counseling.
Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Cenikor Prevention Program provide an educational component, with ageappropriate lessons in the classroom on drug dangers, personal safety and healthy relationships.
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Mobile Crisis Outreach Team is an emergency response provider for students experiencing a behavioral health crisis that requires an immediate assessment.
A partnership with Dell Medical School and the University of Texas provides mental health services via video or phone sessions for assessment, medication management, therapy or care coordination.
Cenikor Youth Recovery Community Services provides group and private counseling for students with drug and alcohol issues.
Hutto CARES is the program that supports district employees, and Impact Counseling LMHP provides the service.
“We use Impact because the types of services Impact is providing is something people prefer to keep private. Especially when this is a service we are providing to our employees, they really appreciate that separation, and that they’re not talking to a Hutto ISD employee about their most personal things that they’re struggling with,” Porter said.
To access mental health services through Hutto ISD, a student should start by contacting the counselor at their home campus. Services are provided at the student’s school with no out-of-pocket costs for the family. Counseling is available in both English and Spanish.
Director of Student Affairs Kyle Ruggirello, Counseling Coordinator Nikkita Butler and Director of Student Services Jennifer Porter address district leaders at an Oct. 12 board meeting. Courtesy of Hutto ISD
