Wabeno Area School District

The Wabeno Area School District has partnered with the NorthLakes Community Clinic and Forest County Potawatomi Behavioral Health to provide School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) services to elementary, middle, and high school students and their families. SBMH therapy is separate from our school counseling services but aligns with our goals of providing social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health support to achieve academic success. SBMH therapy sessions will be individualized for each student to address mental health concerns, increase engagement in learning, minimize classroom behavior issues, and help improve the overall well-being of each student.

Why provide school-based mental health services?

• *Remove barriers for students to access needed mental health services
• *Provide services to students in a familiar and comfortable setting
• *Reduce out-of-school time related to travel to therapy appointments
• *Increase opportunities to coordinate services with school, staff, and family
• *Creates a connected network of caring adults to support the ongoing mental health of students

How do I arrange for school-based mental health services for my child?

Parents and guardians may request SBMH services for their child by contacting NorthLakes Community Clinic (715) 276-6321 or Forest County Behavioral Health (715) 478-4332 directly, or they may contact one of the following school counselors directly:

Chelsie Stefanski - Wabeno Elementary School Counselor, (715) 473-3633 ext 1207,  cstefanski@wabeno.k12.wi.us
Michele Rocole - Wabeno Middle and High School Counselor,  (715) 473-5122 ext 1210,  MRocole@wabeno.k12.wi.us
 

Is there a cost for this service?

Yes. Therapy sessions are fee-based but may be covered in whole or part through your health insurance plan, including BadgerCare. Insurance coverage varies between plans and the provider's licensing level. Private pay and reduced fee services are also available. Any costs will be discussed with you, once you get connected with the clinic. They can work through any insurance benefits or costs with you prior to starting any support from a provider.

Who is the mental health provider that will be working with my child?

Betty Thunder is the primary therapist for NorthLakes Community Clinic and Brandy Jastrow is the primary therapist for Forest County Potawatomi Behavioral Health. They both work with our students to provide counseling services. Both Betty and Brandy are trained in a variety of therapy interventions specific to working with children and adolescents and have extensive experience in numerous mental health concerns.  They are dedicated to helping our students on their healing journey by building resilience and helping them grow while developing a safe space and fostering a strong therapeutic alliance.  

What’s the difference between a school counselor and a family counselor/therapist?

Our District School counselors provide practical solution/short term counseling to help students identify strategies and solutions they can use immediately to manage symptoms and overcome challenges. The SBMH therapists will have more time to spend with individual students and provide more in-depth counseling services over a more extended period of time.

Is SBMH confidential?

Yes, with a few exceptions when safety is a concern, all counseling services and the content of sessions are kept confidential.  Both NorthLakes Community Clinic and Forest County Potawatomi Behavioral Health operate independently from the school.  Information is only shared with school staff on a need-to-know basis and only if a signed release of information permits communication.  This communication is intended to foster collaboration, ensuring students receive consistent support across their support systems.

How often do SBMH counseling sessions occur?

The frequency of counseling sessions depends on the student’s needs and the therapist’s recommendations.  Most students start with weekly sessions and may reduce frequency over time.  Therapists work with school representatives to schedule appointments at times that are least disruptive to the student’s schedule.  Caregiver involvement is also beneficial and can include regular phone calls or emails with the therapist, periodic meetings, or family sessions to support the student.