Senate Bill 245 establishes a pilot school-centered mental health program in Wisconsin for the 2025-27 biennium. The bill mandates the Department of Health Services to allocate funds to a provider for operating this program in two schools—one in a rural district and one in a suburban or urban district. The program aims to support at-risk pupils and their families by providing year-round services, including evidence-based therapy, family coaching, and collaboration with school staff to develop tailored behavior interventions. The provider is responsible for employing full-time therapists and family coaches to facilitate these services.
Additionally, the bill requires the selected provider to submit a report to the Department of Health Services within six months after the program's conclusion, detailing its impact on pupils and families. This report must include information on changes in social determinants of health, mental health symptoms, and academic performance. The Department of Health Services is then tasked with distributing this report to the legislature, ensuring transparency and accountability regarding the program's effectiveness.