From Struggles to Solutions: How Kennett Schools Transformed Student Health Coordination With CrossTx

Creating Safer, More Inclusive Learning Environments

School districts that help students receive mental health and healthcare treatment are creating safer, more inclusive learning environments. By making care accessible, reducing stigma, and fostering early intervention, students are empowered to thrive both emotionally and academically, ultimately benefiting families, schools, and society at large.

The Challenge: Integrating Behavioral Health Services

Schools often struggle to integrate behavioral health services into the educational environment. Despite recognizing the importance of addressing mental health, many schools lack comprehensive programs to provide these services. On-site services, such as counseling or therapy, are frequently limited, leading to reliance on external providers. This can result in inefficiencies and delays in receiving vital care.

The Solution: Kennett School District’s Partnership with CrossTx

Kennett School District in Missouri faced similar challenges. Initially, the district encountered difficulties with workflow, communication, and recordkeeping, which led to students missing out on essential services. Often, staff lacked clarity on whether students had received services or made progress.

To address these issues, the team at Kennett Schools reached out to the Missouri School-Based Health Alliance. This led to a partnership with Healthy Blue to access funding for a cloud-based software and training solution implemented and delivered by CrossTx, a care coordination and referral management platform used by rural health clinics, health networks, and school districts across the country.

CrossTx: A Game-Changing Solution

CrossTx is a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant platform designed to support bi-directional and multi-directional referral management and care coordination. This specialized platform is integral in school, community, and healthcare workflows. By integrating CrossTx, school districts can ensure that no student falls through the cracks, providing a seamless and efficient system for connecting students with necessary mental health services.

Positive Results: The Transformation of Kennett School District

The implementation of CrossTx as part of the Project AWARE initiative has been instrumental in transforming the student health coordination at Kennett School District. Morgan Blankenship, the ED S. for Project AWARE, shared the remarkable story of one student, Lucy. Lucy faced significant behavior challenges and found it difficult to stay in class for even an hour without being sent to the office. Thanks to the new student referral system, she was able to start mental health services, leading to extraordinary strides. Now, Lucy is able to attend school all day and fully participate in classroom activities alongside her peers.

This transformation highlights the critical role of mental health resources in fostering student success. The dedication of many individuals, including the availability of the referral system, the hard work of school staff, and the invaluable support from the behavioral health agency, have all contributed to Lucy’s continued growth.

How CrossTx Works

CrossTx’s closed-loop referral management system ensures that all necessary information is tracked and reported effectively. This includes:

• Enhancing existing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): CrossTx integrates with existing school systems to streamline the process of identifying and supporting students in need of mental health services.
• Closed-loop referral management: The platform allows for seamless referrals to mental health providers, ensuring that students receive prompt appointments and that necessary tracking information is available.
• Improved care coordination: CrossTx connects students, families, and school district staff with appropriate mental health providers, including substance abuse disorder treatment and social service providers.
• Multilingual care coordination support: Optional 24/7 multilingual care coordination support services ensure that all students and families can access necessary care regardless of language barriers.

The Impact: Creating a Safer and Healthier Environment

By activating CrossTx, Kennett School District has made significant strides in creating a safer and healthier environment for its students. The platform has:

• Reduced stigma around mental health: By making mental health services accessible and normalized, CrossTx has helped reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
• Enhanced early intervention: The platform’s ability to track and manage referrals has allowed for early intervention, preventing problems from escalating.
• Improved student outcomes: Students like Lucy are now able to fully participate in their education, leading to improved academic performance and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Kennett School District’s transformation in student health coordination with CrossTx serves as a model for other school districts across the country. By integrating a comprehensive care coordination and referral management system, schools can ensure that no student is left without the mental health support they need. This not only creates safer and more inclusive learning environments but also empowers students to thrive emotionally and academically.

As Morgan Blankenship noted, “CrossTx has proven to be an invaluable program for our district, effectively ensuring that no student falls through the cracks.” The dedication of many individuals, coupled with the innovative use of technology, has made a profound impact on the lives of students like Lucy. As we continue to support the mental health needs of our students, it is clear that solutions like CrossTx will play a critical role in fostering success for generations to come.

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References:

1. Kennett Consolidated School District: Support – Kennett Consolidated School District
2. CrossTx: Networks for School Districts – CrossTx
3. Kennett School District’s Partnership with CrossTx: From Struggles to Solutions: How Kennett Schools Transformed Student Health Coordination With CrossTx