Kindergarten through 12th grade students across Maricopa County may have easier access to mental healthcare in the next school year.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health announced Thursday it has contracted with a company called Cartwheel to provide telehealth services for some schools.
Participating schools will be able to refer students to telehealth services for therapy, family support and psychiatric care.
“Providing behavioral health services to students in their schools is enormously effective,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee said in a press release. “We can connect with students and their families and more quickly identify and address behaviors that could lead to harmful outcomes.”
According to Cartwheel, initial telehealth appointments are typically available to students within a week of referral.
Services will be voluntary and will require parental consent. Cartwheel will bill the family’s insurance, and Maricopa County will cover any remaining costs to ensure no families are turned away because of an inability to pay, according to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
The department said the program will target medically underserved areas based on criteria such as provider shortages and barriers to care.
The county will use about $586,000 in payout money from a lawsuit against the vaping industry to fund the program through the 2026-2027 school year.
School districts in Maricopa County interested in participating can contact Cartwheel.
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