Board authorizes MOU to expand school-based mental-health clinicians

Deputy County Administrator Brett Chardin presented a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Community Services Board (CSB) and Hanover County Public Schools to sustain and refocus the county's school-based mental-health program.

Chardin described a two-track model: "comprehensive coverage" embedded in select high schools for direct short-term therapy, group work, family guidance and care coordination, and "targeted coverage" in other schools focusing on students with highest needs. He said funding would come from existing local CSB budget allocations (to cover three positions) and State STEP Virginia funds to cover a fourth position. The MOU adds specificity on confidentiality, use of study halls rather than core instructional time, and program metrics for annual evaluation.

Dr. Pablo Miller explained day-to-day operations for targeted coverage: clinicians would coordinate with school counselors and building leadership, obtain parental consent, and deploy clinicians who have capacity to assess and serve students in need. The CSB board recommended approval at its August 17 meeting. The board voted to authorize the CSB executive director to execute the MOU with three minor nonmaterial edits noted in the meeting packet.