Mental health program increases academic success

Mental health services available at school for at-risk youth were shown to have a positive effect on students in Union County.

Last week’s Union County board of supervisors meeting gave an update on one of Crossroads Behavioral Health Services programs for teenagers. Certified Prevention Specialist Jess Petter outlined how these programs were assisting youth in Union County.

Through Crossroads’ prevention programming, fourth and fifth graders at East Union Elementary and high school students at Creston High School were able access behavioral health resources. High school students are recommended to the program through teachers and guidance counselors.

Petter noted how post-program tests showed a 15-20% increase in test scores of students at East Union. Across both grades, 58 students took part in the program. She noted multiple students have sent her thank you cards for her work in the program.

At the high school, 96% of students taking Crossroads’ programs said it helped them achieve academic success. High school students can only be a part of the program once every two years, although Crossroads Executive Director Brittany Palmer said it was unlikely a student would go through the program again due to the material being the same year-to-year.

In regards to the return on investment of these programs, Petter cited a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study which said school-based programs return $18 per $1 spent on programs.

“The youth are six times more likely to then engage in services and be open to those services that they may be needing because of risk factors,” Petter said. “It’s really catching those engagements earlier so they have those interventions if they need.”

Crossroads hopes to expand these programs to more schools and grade levels. Besides Union County, Crossroads also works in school districts in Adams and Adair counties. Early plans have been made for Crossroads to work in Taylor County through the Lenox school district.

Over the summer, at-risk youth can choose to be a part of Crossroads’ summer Coping And Support Training program. The mental health service had received funds for the program through the county’s opioid fund, but was willing to pay the county back if other funding routes became obtainable.

“If [we] do get approved, we could pay the county funds to the opioid dollars,” Palmer said. “Our hope is their funding source will pay for that summer program moving forward.”

Supervisor Dennis Hopkins noted how this would mean opioid funding could to go to multiple programs, creating more ways Union County residents can access mental health services.

As Iowa allows for more services like what Crossroads provides, the wider acceptance of mental health services will hopefully see positive effects in local communities.

“Hopefully, we’ll have more statewide data,” Petter said. “Iowa, traditionally, lacks some of that data on our youth and in our smaller counties. All of the things in these programs are getting recorded in an evidence-based report.”

In other Union County news...

Roads Superintendent Al Hysell noted the “unusual” weather of the previous week has caused unique difficulties for road maintenance projects across the county. He reported marsh around Green Valley Lake had risen 4 feet from rainfall, with lakes in the area recovering from the drought of recent weeks.

“I would say all the lakes recouped everything plus that they’ve been low.” Hysell said.

Union County accepted a bid of $265,211 from Hebert Construction of Sioux City for a bridge construction project on 120th Street.

Sharon Moffitt was approved to continue on the Veterans Board Commission.