The Menasha Joint School District and United Way Fox Cities announced that funding has been awarded to a consortium of mental health agencies to provide school-based mental health counseling in three Menasha schools. 

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin and Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan will be working in collaboration to provide services in Clovis Grove Elementary School, Maplewood Middle School and Menasha High School.

Catholic Charities, Family Services and Lutheran Social Services ar not-for-profit organizations serving the residents of northeastern Wisconsin, including the Fox Cities.

Based on extensive education and research in the area of mental health, United Way Fox Cities' Promoting Health, Healing and Crisis Intervention Impact Area developed a pilot project and business plan for increasing mental health access for area youth by providing therapy services in local schools.  The project was proposed to the Menasha Joint School District and approved for implementation, reaching students in elementary school, middle school and high school.

The Menasha Joint School District and United Way Fox Cities issued a request for proposal in January 2008 to any mental health provider interested in developing a school-based mental health program.  Start-up funding for the first two years of operation is being provided by United Way Fox Cities.

A Selection Committee, composed of representatives from the Menasha Joint School District, United Way's Promoting Health, Healing and Crisis Intervention Impact Area and the community at large reviewed the applications and awarded the school-based mental health project to the consortium.

The School-Based Mental Health Project will provide mental health counseling to students who are unable to access services in the community for a variety of reasons including lack of insurance coverage or the inability of parents to leave work to take their children to appointments.

The project is expected to begin in April 2008 and services will be provided during the school year as well as during summer and holiday vacations.