CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Habersham County Board of Education heard a series of presentations Monday highlighting mental health and student services, including growing partnerships with community agencies and new school-based initiatives.
United Way
Candice Holcomb, president and CEO of Georgia Foothills United Way, told board members about her organization’s work with the district.
“As educators, you all know that academic success doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” Holcomb said. “Students bring their entire lives with them into the classroom, from emotional and mental health needs to food insecurities, family stress, and lack of safe after-school options.”
Holcomb said United Way strategically funds local agencies that provide counseling, after-school programs, basic needs support, parent resources and crisis intervention.
“These services are directly impacting the same students that we see every day in the schools, often stepping in where school resources have to stop,” she said.
Superintendent Patrick Franklin thanked Holcomb for the organization’s support.
“You give to some very, very needy groups that work in our schools,” Franklin said. “So, thank you for the work you do, absolutely.”
The board also heard from district mental health specialists Miriam Duncan, Angie Kerr and Kelsey Ondriezek.
Mental Health Community Partnerships
Duncan outlined three priorities: expanding community partnerships, launching a peer-led program at the high school, and improving crisis intervention. She noted that six community partners now provide in-school counseling, up from just one or two in previous years, and that telehealth options have been added for students.
“I’m proud to say that we currently have six community partners who come into the school
and provide individual counseling,” Duncan said. “In the past, it’s been one or two, and one of those in the past had somebody part time, and last year, they didn’t get the position filled until like, the last month of the school.”
Of the six counselors, there is one full-time person located at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy who provides services to the high school, middle schools, and the Success Academy. Additionally, five of the providers accept Medicaid and two accept private insurance.
Suicide Prevention
Angie Kerr highlighted the district’s new suicide prevention program at Habersham Central High School. Thirty-one students began training this week as peer leaders in a class designed to build resilience and reduce suicide attempts.
“It is an evidence-based suicide prevention program that focuses on hope, health and strength,” Kerr said, adding that national surveys show schools using the program report a 29% reduction in suicide attempts.
Crisis Services
Ondriezek told the board about new efforts to provide crisis services after Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Demorest stopped offering free crisis evaluations last year. The district has since contracted with Ridgeview to provide free telehealth evaluations for secondary students.
“That’s a major success for us,” Ondriezek said. “Even though they’re not in person, we always want to make sure that our students have some sort of access to services at the beginning of the school year.”
Franklin praised the three specialists for their work.
“These three amazing employees go over and beyond every single day for our students,” he said. “I’ve seen you go from us not having a mental health program to having one, to having three, and then our new focuses are going to be wonderful for our students.”
The board adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel and real estate matters but took no action. Its next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
