The provincial government says they will be investing $4.4 million to enhance access to school-based mental health and addictions supports.
“This innovative initiative allows for enhanced access to supports prior to requiring a referral to other community services or regional health authority programs,” said Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen. “These additional resources will reduce wait times for children and youth attempting to access supports at community clinics, strengthen inter-agency co-ordination, and provide parents and families with a voice and choice in the treatment plans for their children.”
The money will enhance existing school-based clinical teams with psychiatric nurses and addiction support workers. Teams will provide mental health services directly in schools beginning in Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Steinbach.
The province says that based on outcomes they expect additional teams to be added in the third year of the funding.
© News4.ca 2020
