By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 superintendent will testify Thursday to the Kansas Legislature's 2021 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization on the success of its mental health liaison program.
Hays USD 489 implemented the program three years ago. Hays Superintendent Ron Wilson was the superintendent in Herington before being hired in Hays. That district piloted the liaison program.
Hays has implemented the program at Hays High School and Hays Middle School and is considering extending the program to the elementary schools.
Fifty-five districts out of 280 districts in state have implemented the program.
The goals of the program include:
• Improve students academic preparation
• Improve school attendance
•
Improve internalization of systems, such as improving self-esteem and
social skills and helping students cope with anxiety and depression.
•
Improve external behaviors, such as in-school-suspension, office
referrals, out-of school suspension, visits to the school counselor or
nurse, and law enforcement contacts.
"This is something that is near and dear to my heart," Wilson said. "It's great what's happening in our district. I wanted to share some positive data."
The program served 155 students last year. That is a little less than 10 percent of the students at HHS and HMS.
• 53 students showed improvement in attendance
• 75 students who were struggling with academic performance showed improvement
• 108 students showed improvement of internalized symptoms
• 71 students showed improvement of external behaviors
"I think the biggest advantage to this program is we're providing assistance to families," Wilson said. "We are making this work for them. I think families want the best for their kids, but sometimes they're just not able to make everything work."
The state provides more than half of the funding for the program. Wilson said he will promote the continuation of state funding for the program when he testifies Thursday.