Dustin Morris, Director of Development and Communications
When most people think of school, they picture classrooms, playgrounds, and backpacks—not therapy rooms. But for many Anchorage students, a safe space to talk with a mental health professional is just as important as their reading or math lessons. That’s exactly what VOA Alaska’s School-Based Services program provides.
For decades, mental health care carried a stigma—something to be feared, hidden, or used as a form of punishment. “I grew up in a time when mental health was treated like a negative—like something you ‘got in trouble’ for,” said Haylee Donovan, Program Director of School & Family Services at VOA Alaska. “As a parent, I saw how limited the options were when a young person needed help. Our school-based model changes that.”
VOA Alaska embeds mental health clinicians directly in schools as full members of the school community. Unlike traditional co-located models—where a therapist visits a few hours a week—VOA clinicians are on campus, attending parent-teacher conferences, joining family nights, and collaborating daily with educators. The result: stronger relationships, less stigma, and easier access for families who might otherwise never seek help.
The work aligns with the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): Tier 1 serves all students, Tier 2 provides targeted supports, and Tier 3 offers intensive, individualized care. School counselors typically focus on Tier 1; VOA clinicians specialize in Tier 3 while partnering with educators so Tier 2 students don’t fall through the cracks. “Think of it as flipping the triangle,” Donovan explained. “Counselors lead strong Tier 1 supports for everyone; our clinicians anchor Tier 3. Together we bridge Tier 2 so kids don’t get lost in the middle.”
National research shows that youth are six times more likely to complete mental health treatment when services are provided in schools rather than in community settings (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). This access gap is exactly what VOA Alaska is addressing. By placing clinicians where kids already spend their time, families face fewer barriers like transportation, scheduling, or navigating complex healthcare systems. “When clinicians are in the building, families see us, know us, and feel safe saying ‘yes’ to help,” Donovan said.
The program’s growth—from four schools to thirteen in just a few years—reflects both the need and strong partnerships. The Anchorage School District, Providence Health & Services, and United Way of Anchorage have been key to scaling, prioritizing schools with solid Tier 1 foundations like PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and universal screeners that ensure quiet, internalizing students aren’t overlooked.
For VOA Alaska, success means more than crisis response. By fostering trust, reducing barriers, and supporting students holistically, School-Based Services is helping rewrite the story of mental health in Alaska’s schools.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services & Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2021). Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs. Washington, DC. Available online (PDF).
