• E3 Mental Health Services

     

    Okemos Public Schools has partnered with Child and Family Charities to provide a mental health clinic within Okemos High School.  This opportunity is made possible because of the Expanding, Enhancing Emotional Health (E3) grant through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Adolescent Health Center Division.  The clinic will provide on-site comprehensive mental health services from mild to moderate severity of need.  There will be a full-time therapist at the OHS clinic five days a week and will be able to serve all OPS youth ages 5 to 21 years.   

    Many insurance plans are accepted by Child and Family Charities.  There is a sliding fee scale for those without insurance.  Counseling services will be provided regardless of ability to pay.

    The intent of the E3 program is to meet the growing mental health needs of young people by providing on-site support and therapeutic care to the K-12 population.  It is important to acknowledge that the E3 Program values parents, youth and school staff as important partners, and their involvement is not only encouraged, but is viewed as a core component of the E3 Program.

    Quick Facts About E3

    • OHS has partnered with Child and Family Charities to provide a mental health clinic for students aged 5-21.

    • Funding for the provider and program oversight are provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through the Expanding, Enhancing Emotional Health (E3) Program.

    • The E3 provider at OHS is not licensed to prescribe medication.

    • State law prohibits the prescription of medication to minors without parental consent.

    • Parents are included when services begin unless a student qualifies for and requests to be seen under minor consent.  Per Michigan’s Mental Health Code, MCL 330.1707, parental consent is not required for minors age 14 or older. This is commonly called “minor consent.”  A minor age 14 or older may request and receive up to 12 outpatient sessions or four months of outpatient counseling.

    • If a student indicates they want or plan to harm themselves or another person, the provider is required to notify the appropriate staff within the school and the parent/guardian.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How can I access services for my student?  If you're interested in services for your student, please complete this referral form. If you have questions, you can reach out directly to our E3 provider, Sana Sumbal (sana.sumbal@okemosk12.net).
    • How does the school collaborate with the E3 program?  When school staff have concerns about a student’s mental health, they may talk to you about referring your student to E3 for services.  When our E3 partners receive a referral, they will reach out to you for consent to treat your student.
    • Is parental consent required?  Per Michigan’s Mental Health Code, MCL 330.1707, parental consent is not required for minors age 14 or older. This is commonly called “minor consent.”  A minor age 14 or older may request and receive up to 12 outpatient sessions or four months of outpatient counseling.  
    • Is parental access to the minor’s information permitted?  Provider discretion applies when minor consent is involved. Information may be given to a parent/guardian for a compelling reason based on a substantial probability of harm to the minor or to another individual.  In this case, the mental health professional must notify the minor of their intent to inform the parent/guardian.
    • When a student is being seen under “minor consent,” how do the provider and student deal with the lack of parental consent?  Services shall, to the extent possible, promote the minor's relationship to the parent/guardian, and shall not undermine the values that the parent/guardian has sought to instill in the minor.
    • How long can a student use “minor consent”?  After the twelfth session or fourth month of services, the mental health professional shall terminate the services or, with the consent of the minor, notify the parent/guardian to obtain consent to provide further services.
    • What if the E3 provider suspects that the student has been abused or neglected?  The minor consent law does not relieve a mental health professional from his or her duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect Michigan’s child protection law (Act No. 238 of the Public Acts of 1975, being section 722.623 of the Michigan Compiled Laws).  If abuse or neglect is suspected, the E3 provider will report their observations to Children’s Protective Services.

    If you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Lara Slee, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (lara.slee@okemosk12.net, 517-706-5011).