Wyoming Department of Education partners with Care Solace to expand mental health support services

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) -In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering mental health support for families and communities, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has joined forces with Care Solace, a leading mental health care coordination service. This partnership seeks to offer an array of vital resources to families across the state without any financial burden on the districts. Care Solace’s innovative approach is set to break down barriers that often hinder access to mental health care, such as language barriers, extended wait times, and complex insurance processes.

The collaboration is particularly significant considering the mounting mental health challenges faced by students, families, and personnel within Wyoming’s school districts. On average, it takes around 60 phone calls and several weeks to connect with a mental health provider. With the introduction of Care Solace, individuals can now expect to be matched with a suitable mental health professional in under a week. Moreover, the progress of each student referral can be conveniently tracked, ensuring timely and effective support.

“Dustin Brown, Wyoming Project AWARE Director, noted, “This partnership is a significant step towards enhancing mental health services for our communities. By streamlining the process and reducing wait times, we aim to provide essential support to those who need it most.”

Care Solace’s platform effectively addresses the challenges faced by individuals seeking mental health care. By connecting families and students to a vast network of verified mental health professionals, Care Solace is set to revolutionize the landscape of mental health care in Wyoming.

The initiative is an extension of the Wyoming Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education), which was established in August 2020 after receiving a five-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Project AWARE is designed to promote mental health and resilience within educational settings, offering services such as school-based mental health care, substance abuse education, violence and bullying prevention education, and family engagement.

Since its inception, Project AWARE has experienced significant growth, expanding its services to cover 13 school districts. The program aims to increase access to mental health and substance abuse services for school-aged youth, enhance district-wide awareness of available resources, develop student skills for resilience and prosocial behavior, and establish infrastructures that promote the well-being of youth and their families.

With the integration of Care Solace into the Project AWARE framework, Wyoming is taking a momentous step toward bridging the gaps in mental health care and ensuring that vital support is readily available to all who require it.

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