(KIWA Staff Photo)Northwest Iowa — Two local school districts have started a behavioral health program, and it seems to be going well.
Wellmark Foundation Officials say that for Sioux Center and Sibley Ocheyedan Community School Districts, the first year of a school-centered behavioral health program is already transforming lives. With grant funding from The Wellmark Foundation, students now have easier access to behavioral health services — a change that reduces travel barriers and gets help to kids sooner.
Wellmark officials tell us behavioral health conditions among children have been on the rise in the U.S., with 1 in 5 adolescents having a behavioral health diagnosis (Sappenfield et al., 2024). In rural Iowa, care often means long drives, time away from work for parents, and missed school. They say this program changes that by embedding care inside schools or connecting students quickly through telehealth services.
Feedback from school officials highlights the impact these services are having on students and families.
The Wellmark Foundation tells us Sioux Center school leaders are saying that parents have been very gracious in their support of the district, working hard to find more options and alternatives to serve our students. They say it seems that they have a very trusting clientele and their continued attempts to find more support for students are a well-known factor.
Sibley-Ocheyedan officials say they too have received positive feedback from families as they don’t have to make any special arrangements to bring their child somewhere to receive these services.
Why it matters
The Wellmark Foundation says research shows that 50 percent of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75 percent start by age 24 (NAMI Northern Virginia, n.d.). Early support can prevent challenges from becoming lifelong barriers.
Statewide impact
In its first year, The Wellmark Foundation’s School Centered Behavioral Health program supported 37 school districts and 105 building locations, reaching more than 33,400 students. With stronger connections now in place, year two is expected to have an even greater effect.
For more on this program, you can read the full story at Behavioral health care is making an impact in rural Iowa.
