South Routt School District Superintendent Kirk Henwood says he'd like to hire two social workers to help his students, but a shortage of mental-health professionals and a lack of long-term funding is keeping that from happening.
"Just because there are grants and data, doesn't mean there is a person to fill the position," Henwood tells the Colorado Springs Gazette, noting that salary levels and housing struggles continue to complicate hiring in a competitive market for mental-health professionals.
The district employs a secondary-level certified school counselor with a focus on academics with some mental-health duties, and Mind Springs Health is the provider partner when students need counseling.
But appointment availability at Mind Springs that also fits family schedules in South Routt can cause delays in care, Henwood says.
Another option is using online counseling support, but some students prefer in-person counseling.
"If South Routt School District Superintendent Kirk Henwood had his wish, he would immediately hire two social workers to serve the district's students, in addition to the two school academic-focused counselors," Henwood says.
"However, he does not see that happening any time soon due to lack of long-term funding and a profession-wide shortage of school social workers,
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