Pilot Program for Students’ Mental Health to End in 2025

BOISE, August 12, 2024 – Central District Health reminds students and their families in the Boise, Kuna and West Ada School Districts that there are free mental health resources available until December 31, 2024 through the Student & Family Assistance Program (SFAP). The program will end at the end of this calendar year.

SFAP, a partnership between Central District Health, Idaho-based BPA Health and the Boise, Kuna and West Ada school districts, is a two-year pilot program that includes free counseling sessions for families with children enrolled in the school districts all year long. Eligible family members — parents, guardians and siblings — can use the program even if the student does not participate. Families participated in the program through almost 1,000 sessions in the last two years.

“This is a confidential and free-to-families resource to help students and families get the mental well-being support they need in order to be successful in school and life,” Dana Menlove, BPA Health chief operating officer, said.

“Thanks to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, we were able to offer this pilot program in the three public school districts in Ada County to address the needs of many families in the area to find free mental health support,” said Connor Young, CDH health policy analyst. “ARPA funds were intended to address the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and were earmarked to end in 2024. While we applied for other funding sources, we were not able to secure new funds and are not able at this point in time to continue this program beyond 2024,” he said.

Though the Ada County School Districts are set to stop authorizing new counseling requests at the end of 2024, clients will be able to schedule their sessions through March 31, 2025. BPA Health also will continue to offer the SFAP in the Twin Falls, Kimberly, Wendell and Nez Perce School Districts. This includes in-person and virtual counseling sessions as well as other well-being resources and follow-up.

Mental Health Resources Available

For students and families who need continued mental health support, CDH offers affordable counseling services in their Boise clinic and via telehealth. Call 208-327-7400 for an appointment or for more information.

CDH also offers free suicide prevention trainings as well as safety supplies like medication lock boxes and gun locks to community members in Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. Please contact CDH at suicideprevention@cdh.idaho.gov to learn more or visit the CDH Storefront to order free resources.

In addition, anyone in Idaho can use the following free or low-cost resources:

• Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else; to speak or chat with a trained listener, call or text 988.
• Findhelpidaho.org connects Idahoans seeking help with resources in their local community. It’s free, confidential, easy to use, and provides up-to-date information in more than 100 languages.
• The 2-1-1 Idaho Careline database includes programs that offer free or low-cost health and human services or social services. Call 211 or 800-926-2588; text 898211; or visit 211-idaho.communityos.org.
• FYIdaho Family Support Line helps families navigate the youth mental health system in Idaho, connect youth to services, and helps find useful resources to empower parents as they advocate for their child and family. Call 208-433-8845.
• Pathways Youth Community Support Center of Southwest Idaho (Ages 12-17) is open 24/7/365. Call  1-833-5-CRISIS (274747) or visit their Boise office (9196 W. Emerald St. Suite 100).
• Pathways Community Crisis Center of Southwest Idaho (Age 18+) is open 24/7/365. Call 208-489-8311 or visit their Boise office (7192Potomac Dr.).
• Empower Idaho is an organization that advocates for adults with behavioral health conditions and their families, and offers educational activities. Call 208-947-4288.

About Central District Health

Central District Health, Public Health District IV, is one of seven public health districts within the state of Idaho, serving the counties of Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley. With a vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities, CDH’s emphasis is on decreasing risk factors for chronic disease, improving quality of life and increasing the years of healthy life among residents.

Contacts:

Maria Ortega

Marketing and Communications Manager, CDH

Office: 208-327-8639 | Cell: 208-871-1712

mortega@cdh.idaho.gov

Annie Reeder, Sr. Business Development Manager, BPA Health

Office: 800-211-9477 | Cell: 208-991-7934

annie.reeder@bpahealth.com

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