AISD Expands Mental Health Services

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The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees this week approved a contract with Austin-based Vida Clinic to provide access to clinical mental health services in 16 additional campuses across the district.  While these campuses have been served by other providers in the past, the recent action represents an expansion of the district’s partnership with Vida Clinic. 

“With our innovative, on-campus care model, Vida Clinic offers students, families and entire school communities access to ongoing mental health care with licensed mental health professionals,” said Dr. Elizabeth Minne, co-founder of Vida Clinic.  “We are pleased the trustees recognize the importance of this program for students, staff and families and appreciate the real results we’ve achieved in our eight-year partnership.” 

Vida Clinic has partnered with AISD for eight years to provide ongoing clinical mental health services in local schools and currently offers ongoing clinical mental health services on 27 AISD campuses. Under the new contract, Vida Clinic will offer services in a total of 43 schools.  

According to AISD, during the 2017-18 academic year, high school youth receiving ongoing clinical care with a licensed Vida Clinic therapist demonstrated the following outcomes: 

  • Increased attendance
  • Fewer disciplinary-related issues in schools, including expulsions and suspensions
  • Decline in psychological distress such as mood and behavior problems; decline in somatic issues such as headache, stomach ache, muscle tension and more.
  • Improvements in psychological strengths, such as self-esteem, problem-solving and overall behavioral functioning
  • Improved standardized test performance 

In the fall of 2018, Vida Clinic’s licensed therapists worked with 2,630 individuals, including students, caregivers and school staff. 

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