The Arlington Independent School District and the University of Texas at Arlington are renewing their partnership that provides free treatment for the district’s students who exhibit signs of mental health issues or disorders.
According to a UTA news release, AISD guidance counselors refer students to UTA’s School of Social Work’s Center for Clinical Social Work, where a team of licensed clinical social workers, masters-level interns and externs diagnose, counsel and connect the students with prescribers and community mental health facilities.
“Providing this opportunity for counseling is one step to improving the future of our students.”
AISD Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos
“This collaboration with the UTA School of Social Work serves an important need for many of our students and families,” AISD Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos said in the UTA release. “Providing this opportunity for counseling is one step to improving the future of our students.”
Center director Alexa Smith-Osborne leads the UTA staff involved in the contract with the district.
Selected students — grades pre-K to high school seniors — and their parents agree to be seen by the Center’s staff in 10 after-school sessions.
The staff has made referrals in a wide variety of primary diagnoses, UTA said, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders.
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