Pasco County Schools is dedicated to ensuring that students with mental health disorders receive not only a world-class education and also the necessary support services. By partnering with community organizations like Premier Community HealthCare Group, Inc., BayCare, and Youth Family Alternatives, the district provides comprehensive mental health resources at its Full-Service Community Schools. Additionally, the collaboration with BayCare’s Community Health Activation Team to host mental health groups, with parental or guardian consent, further enhances the support available to students.

These initiatives reflect Pasco County Schools’ commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive academically and emotionally.

 

Mental Health Services Available

Pasco County Schools is dedicated to making sure students can get the mental and behavioral health support they need. To do this, they allow mental and behavioral health agencies, such as Premier, BayCare, YFA, and others, to meet with students during school hours. However, this can only happen if the students' parents give their permission. These health professionals visit the school to help students with their mental and emotional well-being, providing support and care right where the students are. This makes it easier for students to get the help they need without having to leave school.

Before they can work with students, all mental health providers must pass a background check to make sure they are safe to be around kids. They also need to have a license from the State of Florida, which means they are officially allowed to give mental and behavioral health services. This helps ensure that students get the best care possible from qualified professionals.

Mental Health Services that are being provided include but are not limited to:

• Psychosocial Assessment
• Counseling and Therapy:
  • Child and Adolescent
• Crisis Intervention
• Patient Care Coordination
• Chronic Care Management

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Consistent with section 1012.584, Florida Statutes (F.S.), the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has identified an evidence-based, nationally recognized youth mental health awareness and assistance training program to help school personnel identify and understand the signs of mental health concerns and substance use disorders, and provide such personnel with the next steps to find help for a person who is developing or experiencing mental health concerns or a substance use disorder. The evidence-based, nationally recognized youth mental health awareness and assistance training program identified by the FDOE is Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). 

Baycare Chat groups

CHAT: A group of 16 professionals comprised of an LPN, Master’s level Practitioners, and Bachelor’s level Prevention Facilitators with a goal of improving the health and wellness of Pasco County residents by empowering people to make healthier decisions, improving access to care, promoting healthy and safe community environments, and eliminating health disparities through a variety of programs. 

 For a list of current CHAT Groups and contact information please click here.