The Bo Tkach Under the Helmet and Hat Foundation recently instituted a new pilot program, Improving Access to Outpatient Behavioral Health Counseling Project.

The project provides a one-time $2,000 award to nine area school districts that have been supported by the foundations efforts.

The aim of the project is to provide funding for the behavioral health counseling needs of school aged children.

One of the core missions of the foundation since its inception has been providing a portion of its fundraising to contract with local behavioral health professionals for students who may need financial assistance in obtaining counseling services.

However, since the COVID pandemic, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of schools requesting these funds for counseling authorizations.

Following a recent survey conducted with the nine school districts that are supported by these funds, it was discovered many of the schools now have outside mental health provider contracts for school-based counseling services.

However, it was also clear in the survey that for privately-insured children and their families, there was a need to help cover the cost of insurance copays and deductibles which could impede a child’s access to receive the necessary care.

Other areas to be supported with the grants are: providing money for Mental Health or Drug & Alcohol prevention/education services; Aevidum educational materials or training; creating a “safe space” for students to talk with counselors; school staff attendance at early detection or intervention skill seminars; Student Assistance Program team training or seminars; professional speakers focused on issues related to supporting good mental health practices; suicide prevention or interventional program needs; or a 988-suicide hotline marketing campaign.

The mission of the foundation has always been to assist school communities with removing whatever barriers stand between a child in need of behavioral health treatment and their access to receiving the proper care.

To further the mission, each of the following schools have received a $2,000 check from the foundation to support their efforts in bringing the issue of mental health awareness and treatment out of the darkness and into the light: Carbon Career and Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe Area School District, Lehighton Area School District, Marian Catholic High School, Northern Lehigh School District, Northwestern Lehigh School District, Palmerton Area School District, Panther Valley School District and the Weatherly Area School District.