“The special ingredient in this school-based mental health work,” said Julia Luey, President and CEO of VOA Alaska, “has been the value of our relationships.”
That sentiment was at the heart of VOA Alaska’s School-Based Services Partner Appreciation Event, held on September 20, 2024 at the BP Energy Center. Over 60 guests attended, representing funders, program partners, government officials, and elected leaders.
“Our relationships with the schools—principals, counselors, nurses, teachers, and even coaches—are integral to our success,” Luey emphasized. “Without our funding partners and policymakers, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Collaborations with providers such as Providence and Alaska Behavioral Health have also played a crucial role. Luey highlighted how these partnerships help staff feel less isolated in schools, fostering unity across the 18 schools involved.
The new integrated model offers deeper family engagement. “Our staff greets kids at the doors, hosts family nights, and connects with families when it’s most convenient,” said Luey. This trust, built through tiered services, encourages families to access more support over time.
The impact of these relationships is evident in the results. Over 1,200 consultations have been provided to Anchorage School District staff regarding student concerns, with 98% of crisis interventions successfully resolved within schools—avoiding the need for more costly care outside the system.
Luey stressed that 153 students would have required higher levels of care or intervention without these relationships. While not all would have needed inpatient treatment, it would have cost the state significantly more to provide services outside the school setting. Investing in community-based solutions like school-based services not only saves resources but also delivers better outcomes for students.
“This model is a solution, and it’s working,” Luey concluded. “Without these relationships, more children would have required higher levels of care.”
Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health, echoed this, citing the importance of meeting students “where they’re at in the school setting.” The 2024 legislative session responded to this need by passing a bill that removed the requirement for an Individualized Education Plan or disability status for Medicaid services.
However, challenges remain. Hedberg noted that “discrepancies between services provided in schools and Medicaid-eligible service codes,” as well as complex billing processes, have limited Medicaid billing to just six of Alaska’s 54 school districts. The Department of Health has secured a $2.5 million grant to address these barriers and explore solutions. “Early intervention is the focus,” she emphasized, ensuring better outcomes for children as they progress through school and into adulthood.
Brenden Wilson, Principal Coach with the Anchorage School District, reflected on the transformation at Begich Middle School during his tenure as Principal, when the school transitioned from a co-located to an integrated model. “[Our clinician] was in the lunchroom building relationships with kids. She was at Family Nights building relationships with parents,” Wilson shared. These interactions led to noticeable improvements, such as chronically absent students attending more regularly and students with anxiety engaging in class.
Wilson stressed the importance of collaboration, stating, “The secret sauce is the relationship between the school counselor and the clinician.” He also called on the state to increase funding and simplify mental health screenings, noting that some student’s mental health struggles remain “invisible” and are at greater risk.
Sven Gustafson, Anchorage School District Chief Academic Officer, shared his experiences as a West High School Principal. After years of trying to secure mental health support for his school, he received an offer for a VOA clinician just as students were struggling to return post-pandemic. “I said yes—this is what I’ve been asking for forever,” he recalled. Together with the clinician, they launched “Mental Health Mondays,” where the entire school focused on wellness topics. Gustafson praised the impact of the VOA clinician, noting, “Katie became part of our school.”
Looking ahead, Gustafson is committed to expanding partnerships and dedicating resources to student mental health. “I hear from principals every day how hard you’re working and how much you’re loved in your schools,” he told the audience, addressing the VOA and Providence clinicians in attendance.
Luey concluded the event by acknowledging the challenges in sustaining VOA Alaska’s model. “We rely on grants and private funding for nearly 80% of its costs,” she said.
However, she says expressed optimism for the future. “With continued support, we hope to expand this model across Anchorage and Alaska, strengthening relationships between schools and the state’s behavioral health community.”
Thank You to our School-Based Services Funding Partners
- Alaska Community Foundation
- Anchorage Masonic Lodge 17
- Anchorage School District
- ConocoPhillips Alaska
- Municipality of Anchorage
- School-Based Health Alliance
- School-Based Health Centers
- State of Alaska
- United Way of Anchorage
