School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons

Through grants, TDMHSAS funds local community mental health centers to provide the school-based behavioral health liaison program. School-based Behavioral Health Liaisons are employees of local community mental health centers and are strategically placed and co-located, in coordination with local school district leadership, in identified schools. 

Services provided by School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons with parental/caretaker consent include:

• Individual counseling sessions
• Mental health assessments and referrals for services and supports
• Group interventions and psychoeducation to students to develop positive coping and de-escalation strategies
• Liaison services to foster positive relationships between the school, families, and other critical resources such as the Children’s Behavioral Health Safety Net for uninsured children
• Support and consultation to teachers and school personnel in implementing schoolwide trauma-informed practices
• Training and education to school personnel in behavioral health topics (including mental health issues and substance abuse prevention) and trauma-informed approaches

With new state funding added in recent years, TDMHSAS expanded this program to all 95 Tennessee counties and created more than one liaison position in many counties.  With $8 million in new state funding in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget, we're expanding this program with even more positions.  Click the image of the map below to view a larger version, and find contact info for School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons at this link.

School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison Success Story

Child must be in an elementary, middle, or high school which has the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons program in order to participate.  If you are unsure about the status of the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program at your child’s school, please use the contact information below to learn more.