Centerstone is denied again at Hamilton County School Board
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County School Board voted to remove Centerstone mental health services from their schools months ago.
Nothing has replaced it since they took it away.
Tensions were high again as the Centerstone MOU was back on the board’s agenda October 9th.
Board member Ben Connor of district six said, “We have been failing kids for two months. The RFP is great for the future. For the future we are safeguarding that children in Hamilton County will have mental health support. It doesn’t help kids today.”
Connor put the MOU back on the agenda to provide services until they choose another one.
However, other board members later removed the MOU from the agenda.
Board member Jodi Schaffer of district seven removed the MOU.
She said, “The RFP is on the agenda. I am making a motion to pull the Centerstone MOU off until we go through the RFP process.”
Parents in the Hamilton County school system worry that children will fall through the cracks.
Matt Adams came to speak to the board about the service.
He said, “Not every child in Hamilton county was as lucky as I was to have supportive parents, to have people that were by my side. The people that are employed by Centerstone are just that, they are a support system for the students of Hamilton county.”
The board approved the RFP at the meeting, but the decision will leave students without mental health services until at least November 20th.
Board member Karitsa Jones of district five will continue to ask for mental health services.
She said, “I am bound legally and ethically to do as a masters level social worker, I will ask for it to go back, and will ask every time until a service is provided because it violates my code of ethics.”
The goal for students is simple. Keep trying to get their services back.
Reed Hampton is a part of Students Organizing Students.
He said, “The goal is to keep coming back and keep organizing. We have at least one more meeting with this one on the agenda. We are going to make sure no matter who gets selected to replace Centerstone is supporting students.”
Centerstone could reapply for the service and ultimately be selected again in November. Or the board may choose a new service or multiple.
November 20th is not when services would be reinstated.
That day is when the board will have recommendations for a mental health service provider.
