How school districts are using telehealth to help students

Silver McDonald

VP of Growth

Silver has served in education for over 20 years, including as GM of the US for LEGO Education and SVP of Solutions for Pearson. At Hazel she works with school districts to drive equity and access by bringing physical and mental health services to all students.

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School districts have turned to innovative solutions that address student health needs to combat growing concerns about student well-being, absenteeism, unfinished learning, and learning loss. School-based telehealth is one solution school districts are implementing to meet the growing health needs of their students. With school-based telehealth, students connect for secure video visits and appointments with licensed mental and physical health care providers for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

School-based telehealth benefits students by enabling them to return to class after a telehealth visit instead of being sent home as they usually would without a provider's evaluation. The student is able to stay in school and learn, and the parent or guardian avoids having to miss work to pick up the student and take them home or to a doctor's appointment.

For families, school-based telehealth is a game changer. It brings care directly to students where they are, where they already spend much of their time–in school. School-based telehealth reduces or eliminates many barriers to care for students and their families. Students can access care without long wait times and avoid being burdened by provider shortages. Guardians do not have to miss work or worry about transportation to and from a doctor or therapist appointment. Children can access Hazel from home, allowing families to address medical concerns before the child goes to school. For families experiencing financial barriers, many school-based telehealth services, like Hazel Health, are no-cost families.

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Expanding the scope of the school nurse

School-based telehealth improves access to qualified physical and mental health providers. Via telehealth (with permission from a legal guardian), students can connect with a licensed medical provider or therapist to address their medical or mental health concerns. Access to health care helps students remain in class and focused on learning.

School nurses and counselors play a critical role in minimizing disruption to children's education by managing conditions such as diabetes, asthma, life-threatening allergies, seizures, ADHD, developmental disorders, and some behavioral health needs at school, but other conditions, such as a bacterial infection, might require input from a physician or specialist. Without telehealth access, children need to leave school for those visits.

School health staff are essential in minimizing disruption to students' education by managing physical and mental health concerns. They often need additional support from a physician or counselor. With telehealth access, students do not have to leave school to access a physician or counselor.

Additionally, school districts can address the growing school nurse and counselor shortage by offering telehealth services. In the United States, only 14 percent of school districts met the ratio of one school counselor to 250 students recommended by the American School Counselor Association during the 2020-21 school year. During the same year, the average national student-to-counselor ratio was 415:1. The National Association of School Nurses recommends a ratio of 1 school nurse for every 750 students. Today, the national average is 1:1,471. This massive shortage is coming when students need more support than ever before. Telehealth can help school districts fill these gaps by expanding staff capacity, and enabling access to qualified providers across state lines.

School-based health services do not replace the role of the school nurse or counselor. Instead, they augment their expertise, serving as an extension and support. With school-based telehealth, school health staff can help students more holistically and ensure students get the care and treatment they need and deserve. =

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Telehealth providers partner with school health staff to provide high quality care to students

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School-based mental health services

Mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes for young people, and across the country, mental health concerns among students are growing. Students are experiencing more mental health challenges than ever before, and many cannot access the support they need. Many students' symptoms worsen without access to mental health support, and their well-being and academic performance are often negatively impacted.

School-based telehealth enables students to connect with a licensed therapist for a video visit in a private location within the school setting. For a student to access Hazel's mental health service, a parent or guardian must consent by completing a consent form. Students over 18 can consent for services, and minor consent is an option in some states, like Colorado.

Therapists help students understand and cope with their feelings via secure video appointments. They use evidence-based strategies to help students with their mental health concerns. Common mental health challenges students use Hazel therapy for include:

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
PTSD
Grief
Peer and family relationships
Anger management
Academic stress
Bullying
Navigating important life events

During therapy, the student and therapist identify and practice strategies to cope, and the therapist supports the student in developing a plan to start to feel better.

‍

Silver McDonald

VP of Growth

Silver has served in education for over 20 years, including as GM of the US for LEGO Education and SVP of Solutions for Pearson. At Hazel she works with school districts to drive equity and access by bringing physical and mental health services to all students.

‍

School districts have turned to innovative solutions that address student health needs to combat growing concerns about student well-being, absenteeism, unfinished learning, and learning loss. School-based telehealth is one solution school districts are implementing to meet the growing health needs of their students. With school-based telehealth, students connect for secure video visits and appointments with licensed mental and physical health care providers for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

School-based telehealth benefits students by enabling them to return to class after a telehealth visit instead of being sent home as they usually would without a provider's evaluation. The student is able to stay in school and learn, and the parent or guardian avoids having to miss work to pick up the student and take them home or to a doctor's appointment.

For families, school-based telehealth is a game changer. It brings care directly to students where they are, where they already spend much of their time–in school. School-based telehealth reduces or eliminates many barriers to care for students and their families. Students can access care without long wait times and avoid being burdened by provider shortages. Guardians do not have to miss work or worry about transportation to and from a doctor or therapist appointment. Children can access Hazel from home, allowing families to address medical concerns before the child goes to school. For families experiencing financial barriers, many school-based telehealth services, like Hazel Health, are no-cost families.

‍

Expanding the scope of the school nurse

School-based telehealth improves access to qualified physical and mental health providers. Via telehealth (with permission from a legal guardian), students can connect with a licensed medical provider or therapist to address their medical or mental health concerns. Access to health care helps students remain in class and focused on learning.

School nurses and counselors play a critical role in minimizing disruption to children's education by managing conditions such as diabetes, asthma, life-threatening allergies, seizures, ADHD, developmental disorders, and some behavioral health needs at school, but other conditions, such as a bacterial infection, might require input from a physician or specialist. Without telehealth access, children need to leave school for those visits.

School health staff are essential in minimizing disruption to students' education by managing physical and mental health concerns. They often need additional support from a physician or counselor. With telehealth access, students do not have to leave school to access a physician or counselor.

Additionally, school districts can address the growing school nurse and counselor shortage by offering telehealth services. In the United States, only 14 percent of school districts met the ratio of one school counselor to 250 students recommended by the American School Counselor Association during the 2020-21 school year. During the same year, the average national student-to-counselor ratio was 415:1. The National Association of School Nurses recommends a ratio of 1 school nurse for every 750 students. Today, the national average is 1:1,471. This massive shortage is coming when students need more support than ever before. Telehealth can help school districts fill these gaps by expanding staff capacity, and enabling access to qualified providers across state lines.

School-based health services do not replace the role of the school nurse or counselor. Instead, they augment their expertise, serving as an extension and support. With school-based telehealth, school health staff can help students more holistically and ensure students get the care and treatment they need and deserve. =

‍

School-based mental health services

Mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes for young people, and across the country, mental health concerns among students are growing. Students are experiencing more mental health challenges than ever before, and many cannot access the support they need. Many students' symptoms worsen without access to mental health support, and their well-being and academic performance are often negatively impacted.

School-based telehealth enables students to connect with a licensed therapist for a video visit in a private location within the school setting. For a student to access Hazel's mental health service, a parent or guardian must consent by completing a consent form. Students over 18 can consent for services, and minor consent is an option in some states, like Colorado.

Therapists help students understand and cope with their feelings via secure video appointments. They use evidence-based strategies to help students with their mental health concerns. Common mental health challenges students use Hazel therapy for include:

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
PTSD
Grief
Peer and family relationships
Anger management
Academic stress
Bullying
Navigating important life events

During therapy, the student and therapist identify and practice strategies to cope, and the therapist supports the student in developing a plan to start to feel better.

‍

Silver McDonald

VP of Growth

Silver has served in education for over 20 years, including as GM of the US for LEGO Education and SVP of Solutions for Pearson. At Hazel she works with school districts to drive equity and access by bringing physical and mental health services to all students.

‍

School districts have turned to innovative solutions that address student health needs to combat growing concerns about student well-being, absenteeism, unfinished learning, and learning loss. School-based telehealth is one solution school districts are implementing to meet the growing health needs of their students. With school-based telehealth, students connect for secure video visits and appointments with licensed mental and physical health care providers for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

School-based telehealth benefits students by enabling them to return to class after a telehealth visit instead of being sent home as they usually would without a provider's evaluation. The student is able to stay in school and learn, and the parent or guardian avoids having to miss work to pick up the student and take them home or to a doctor's appointment.

For families, school-based telehealth is a game changer. It brings care directly to students where they are, where they already spend much of their time–in school. School-based telehealth reduces or eliminates many barriers to care for students and their families. Students can access care without long wait times and avoid being burdened by provider shortages. Guardians do not have to miss work or worry about transportation to and from a doctor or therapist appointment. Children can access Hazel from home, allowing families to address medical concerns before the child goes to school. For families experiencing financial barriers, many school-based telehealth services, like Hazel Health, are no-cost families.

‍

Expanding the scope of the school nurse

School-based telehealth improves access to qualified physical and mental health providers. Via telehealth (with permission from a legal guardian), students can connect with a licensed medical provider or therapist to address their medical or mental health concerns. Access to health care helps students remain in class and focused on learning.

School nurses and counselors play a critical role in minimizing disruption to children's education by managing conditions such as diabetes, asthma, life-threatening allergies, seizures, ADHD, developmental disorders, and some behavioral health needs at school, but other conditions, such as a bacterial infection, might require input from a physician or specialist. Without telehealth access, children need to leave school for those visits.

School health staff are essential in minimizing disruption to students' education by managing physical and mental health concerns. They often need additional support from a physician or counselor. With telehealth access, students do not have to leave school to access a physician or counselor.

Additionally, school districts can address the growing school nurse and counselor shortage by offering telehealth services. In the United States, only 14 percent of school districts met the ratio of one school counselor to 250 students recommended by the American School Counselor Association during the 2020-21 school year. During the same year, the average national student-to-counselor ratio was 415:1. The National Association of School Nurses recommends a ratio of 1 school nurse for every 750 students. Today, the national average is 1:1,471. This massive shortage is coming when students need more support than ever before. Telehealth can help school districts fill these gaps by expanding staff capacity, and enabling access to qualified providers across state lines.

School-based health services do not replace the role of the school nurse or counselor. Instead, they augment their expertise, serving as an extension and support. With school-based telehealth, school health staff can help students more holistically and ensure students get the care and treatment they need and deserve. =

‍

School-based mental health services

Mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes for young people, and across the country, mental health concerns among students are growing. Students are experiencing more mental health challenges than ever before, and many cannot access the support they need. Many students' symptoms worsen without access to mental health support, and their well-being and academic performance are often negatively impacted.

School-based telehealth enables students to connect with a licensed therapist for a video visit in a private location within the school setting. For a student to access Hazel's mental health service, a parent or guardian must consent by completing a consent form. Students over 18 can consent for services, and minor consent is an option in some states, like Colorado.

Therapists help students understand and cope with their feelings via secure video appointments. They use evidence-based strategies to help students with their mental health concerns. Common mental health challenges students use Hazel therapy for include:

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
PTSD
Grief
Peer and family relationships
Anger management
Academic stress
Bullying
Navigating important life events

During therapy, the student and therapist identify and practice strategies to cope, and the therapist supports the student in developing a plan to start to feel better.

‍

School districts have turned to innovative solutions that address student health needs to combat growing concerns about student well-being, absenteeism, unfinished learning, and learning loss. School-based telehealth is one solution school districts are implementing to meet the growing health needs of their students. With school-based telehealth, students connect for secure video visits and appointments with licensed mental and physical health care providers for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

School-based telehealth benefits students by enabling them to return to class after a telehealth visit instead of being sent home as they usually would without a provider's evaluation. The student is able to stay in school and learn, and the parent or guardian avoids having to miss work to pick up the student and take them home or to a doctor's appointment.

For families, school-based telehealth is a game changer. It brings care directly to students where they are, where they already spend much of their time–in school. School-based telehealth reduces or eliminates many barriers to care for students and their families. Students can access care without long wait times and avoid being burdened by provider shortages. Guardians do not have to miss work or worry about transportation to and from a doctor or therapist appointment. Children can access Hazel from home, allowing families to address medical concerns before the child goes to school. For families experiencing financial barriers, many school-based telehealth services, like Hazel Health, are no-cost families.

‍

Expanding the scope of the school nurse

School-based telehealth improves access to qualified physical and mental health providers. Via telehealth (with permission from a legal guardian), students can connect with a licensed medical provider or therapist to address their medical or mental health concerns. Access to health care helps students remain in class and focused on learning.

School nurses and counselors play a critical role in minimizing disruption to children's education by managing conditions such as diabetes, asthma, life-threatening allergies, seizures, ADHD, developmental disorders, and some behavioral health needs at school, but other conditions, such as a bacterial infection, might require input from a physician or specialist. Without telehealth access, children need to leave school for those visits.

School health staff are essential in minimizing disruption to students' education by managing physical and mental health concerns. They often need additional support from a physician or counselor. With telehealth access, students do not have to leave school to access a physician or counselor.

Additionally, school districts can address the growing school nurse and counselor shortage by offering telehealth services. In the United States, only 14 percent of school districts met the ratio of one school counselor to 250 students recommended by the American School Counselor Association during the 2020-21 school year. During the same year, the average national student-to-counselor ratio was 415:1. The National Association of School Nurses recommends a ratio of 1 school nurse for every 750 students. Today, the national average is 1:1,471. This massive shortage is coming when students need more support than ever before. Telehealth can help school districts fill these gaps by expanding staff capacity, and enabling access to qualified providers across state lines.

School-based health services do not replace the role of the school nurse or counselor. Instead, they augment their expertise, serving as an extension and support. With school-based telehealth, school health staff can help students more holistically and ensure students get the care and treatment they need and deserve. =

‍

School-based mental health services

Mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes for young people, and across the country, mental health concerns among students are growing. Students are experiencing more mental health challenges than ever before, and many cannot access the support they need. Many students' symptoms worsen without access to mental health support, and their well-being and academic performance are often negatively impacted.

School-based telehealth enables students to connect with a licensed therapist for a video visit in a private location within the school setting. For a student to access Hazel's mental health service, a parent or guardian must consent by completing a consent form. Students over 18 can consent for services, and minor consent is an option in some states, like Colorado.

Therapists help students understand and cope with their feelings via secure video appointments. They use evidence-based strategies to help students with their mental health concerns. Common mental health challenges students use Hazel therapy for include:

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
PTSD
Grief
Peer and family relationships
Anger management
Academic stress
Bullying
Navigating important life events

During therapy, the student and therapist identify and practice strategies to cope, and the therapist supports the student in developing a plan to start to feel better.

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How Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) leveraged Hazel Health to expand the district’s mental health infrastructure

"We have students who may not have had mental health concerns previously, but due to COVID-19, they now have mental health concerns. Some of our areas for providing mental health support are at capacity due to higher demand. Hazel is able to fill these gaps that we have, allowing us to avoid referring a family to outpatient care. With outpatient care, we expect the parent to make an appointment for the student as well as transport the student to the appointment. Hazel removes the barrier by providing mental health services within the walls of the student home."

Katrina Taylor
Director of School Behavioral Health

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Read Duval's Case Study

School-based physical health services

With school-based telehealth, pediatric providers, like pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician associates, can address students' health needs within minutes. When a student visits the school health office with a medical concern, the school health staff helps connect the student to a telehealth provider. From there, the provider evaluates the student's symptoms over live video. Providers help address acute medical concerns, like:

Flu symptoms
Headache
Rash
Allergies
Minor injury
Stomach ache
Nose bleeds
Sore throat
Diarrhea
Pink eye
Insect bites and stings

The provider evaluates the student's symptoms, provides treatment recommendations, and follows up with the student's guardian. When needed, the provider can prescribe a medication or refer the student to a local specialist or mental health support.

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Holistic care that addresses the whole child

In the United States, health-related issues are the top reason students miss school, and student academic outcomes are primarily affected by their physical and mental health. Children experiencing health-related issues are more likely to suffer from chronic absenteeism and learning loss.

Many school districts are bringing innovative solutions to their school communities to meet the growing demand for health care services. By offering telehealth, school districts are serving as an access point to health care services, ensuring every child has the opportunity to be healthy physically and mentally so that they can learn and thrive.

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About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel’s diverse, culturally competent providers specialize in the health challenges of children and teens and partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel is committed to improving health care equity and is available regardless of family income, geography, insurance status, or ability to pay. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care, because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel serves nearly 2 million students across 100 school districts, helping to reduce chronic absenteeism and unfinished learning by addressing gaps in health care access. As an extension of the school health team, Hazel helps schools immediately address student physical and mental health care needs. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel helps school districts address chronic absenteeism, unfinished learning, and school enrollment, by addressing gaps in health care access.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a doctor or therapist, children can see a Hazel provider for a telehealth visit, at no cost to families. With guardian permission, Hazel’s telehealth platform allows children to connect with a health care provider within minutes, or a therapist within days of referral. Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.