H-BC, Luverne pursue child mental health position

By Lori EhdeRock County and the school districts of Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne are continuing to work together to help mentally ill children.During their most recent school board meetings, Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek school districts took action to name H-BC as the fiscal agent for the position.This done, the districts are positioned to seek funding in order to hire a shared child mental health specialist.The person would ideally be a licensed mental health social worker specializing in child mental health. The person would be shared by the two districts and Rock County Family Services, and he or she would deal specifically with issues more serious than current school counselors typically deal with.Randy Ehlers, director of Rock County Family Services presented information at meetings with both districts.According to the Surgeon General, 21 percent of children ages 9-17 are emotionally impaired at least at the minimal level; 11 percent are significantly impaired; and 5 percent are extremely impaired.Among the most diagnosed impairments, depression has a 6 percent prevalence, ADHD is 3 to 5 percent, oppositional defiance disorder is 2 to 16 percent and anxiety disorders are as high as 13 percent.Often, if a child is diagnosed with one disability, there’s a good chance he or she will also have additional, overlapping impairments.The schools currently have an arrangement with the county for mental health services, but the position would take those services to a more preventative level."The earlier problems are identified, the more efficiently and effectively we can intervene," Ehlers said. "We must screen were youth are — schools."The districts are seeing high school students, for example requiring significant mental health attention. The belief is that had those same students been helped earlier on, their problems likely wouldn’t be so severe today."The implementation of early identification for the general student population makes sense," Ehlers said.Neither school district can afford to hire right now, but school officials recognize that it’s reached the point where paying an extra salary to help with prevention will pay off in the end.Funding sources are being explored, but the person’s salary would likely be paid from the two districts’ special education reimbursements and from grants.The H-BC board voted at its May 24 meeting to serve as the employer of record for the position. Wages will be paid for by State Special Education funds (68 percent of salary) and County Children’s Mental Health funds. H-BC agreed to provide phone service, computer, fax, office space, etc. for the employee. The Rock County Board will advance about $20,000 a year to the district to cover a two year delay in special education reimbursement payments from the state.In other business at their May 27 meeting, Luverne School Board
Reduced the number of Title I paraprofessionals from 11 to six, to reflect a $42,000 reduction in Title I grant money. Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff told board members in other years, if there was less grant money, she could reduce hours here and there to make up the difference, but $42,000 required more serious cuts.
Heard a presentation by Dennis Moritz on the agriculture education curriculum.
Approved the summer curriculum schedule, summer school contracts and special education summer school services.
Accepted the resignation of Jaime Creegan as Discovery Time Preschool teacher effective at the end of the school year.
Accepted the resignation of Kari (Stoakes) Lais as ninth-grade volleyball coach, and hired Susan (Remme) Bork to replace her.
Accepted the resignation of Terry Althoff as assistant football coach.
Started the negotiating process with unions, department heads and administration.