Q&A
Overview of existing DOHMH mental health initiatives in schools
0:52:05
·
70 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about current DOHMH programs involving mental health professionals engaging with young people in school settings. DOHMH provides an overview of their existing initiatives.
- DOHMH mentions multiple programs, including the School Mental Health program
- They oversee licensure of Article 31 clinics and work with community-based organizations
- DOHMH staff are present in 548 schools, ensuring quality mental health services and collecting utilization information
Rita Joseph
0:52:05
that involves mental health professional engaging with young people in school settings?
Dr. Erica Lynne Smith
0:52:09
Yes.
0:52:09
Many.
Rita Joseph
0:52:10
You have many?
Dr. Erica Lynne Smith
0:52:11
Yeah.
0:52:11
So we, School Mental Health, which is, I'm the director of that program, we work closely with our colleagues from, New York City Public Schools in an advisory capacity.
0:52:21
Capacity.
0:52:23
We oversee in our with our partners at Children, Youth and Families the licensure of Article 30 1 clinics as well as community based organizations, that provide mental health services.
0:52:33
They might not be in Article 31, but they provide services that are are, you know, aligned very closely with with mental health services that Article 30 ones provide.
0:52:46
And, you know, I have I have staff who are in schools, in 540 8 of those schools.
0:52:54
Capacity does not allow us to be in in all the schools, but we ensure that whatever mental health services that are in those schools are of quality.
0:53:03
We collect information around utilization.
0:53:07
Traffic, unfortunately, I think you you were delayed.
0:53:09
I I spoke a lot about that, but I'm happy to, you know, explain more about what the what what they do in those schools.
Rita Joseph
0:53:15
Would an initiative like this complement your your existing programming?
