Accessing Behavioral Health Services in Schools

AHCCCS covers medically necessary behavioral health services for Medicaid-enrolled students. Many of these services are provided directly on school campuses, making it easier for students to get services where they are, and as soon as they need help. If you need help accessing behavioral health services for yourself or others, see How to Access Behavioral Health Services flowchart.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) created the Behavioral Health Resource Guide for principals, other education administrators, school mental health professionals and anyone who wishes to be a voice that promotes the need for school mental health resources in Arizona. Another guide for school administrators and districts that provides instructions to support youth and families in need of support from community-based providers and explains referrals and addresses funding.

Jake’s Law and The Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund

In 2020, the Arizona State Legislature passed Jake’s Law which allocated $8 million for behavioral health services for students who are underinsured or uninsured.This special allocation of one-time state funding, known as the Children’s Behavioral Health Services fund allows schools to refer students for Behavioral Health services for anxiety, depression, social isolation, stress, behavioral issues, or any other mental health concern. Families will not receive a bill for these services; they are covered by tax dollars.

Jake’s Law requires that schools must develop a policy to refer students for behavioral health services, and to allow families to opt-in or opt-out of the referral process each year. Additional Jake’s Law requirements for schools are outlined in ARS 36-3436.01. The Arizona School Board Association has created a policy that schools can use to create their own district policy.

Behavioral health services under this funding are provided to students by participating health care providers contracted with the three Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs), Mercy Care (in Central Arizona), Arizona Complete Health Complete Care (in Southern Arizona), and Health Choice Arizona (in Northern Arizona). See this flyer for a list of contracted providers with each RBHA, or see the chart below. AHCCCS registered providers not listed may be able to work with the RBHA in their area to become a recognized provider with this funding.

Southern Arizona Central Arizona Northern Arizona
Arizona Complete Health Complete Care Plan Mercy Care Care 1st
Arizona Children's Association
Casa de los Niños
Community Health Associates
COPE Community Services
Horizon Health & Wellness
Intermountain
La Frontera
MiKid
Pathways
Pinal Hispanic Council
 Arizona Youth & Family Services
Community Bridges Inc.
Devereux
Family Involvement Center
Horizon Health and Wellness
Jewish Family and Children’s Service
LaFrontera-EMPACT
New Hope of Arizona
Open Hearts
Resilient Health
Southwest Behavioral and Health Services
Southwest Network
Terros Health
The Resolution Group
Touchstone Health Services
Valle Del Sol 		Change Point Integrated Health
Encompass Health Services
Little Colorado Behavioral Health Centers
Mohave Mental Health Clinic
Polara Health (formerly West Yavapai Guidance Clinic)
Southwest Behavioral & Health Services
Spectrum Healthcare
The Guidance Center

For further inquiries, please email bhinschools@azahcccs.gov

FAQ for Parents

  • How do I get behavioral health services for my child?
    • If your child is a current Medicaid member, call the number on the back of your insurance card.
    • If your child is not currently a Medicaid member, call the phone number for the AHCCCS Complete Care-Regional Behavioral Health Agreements (ACC-RBHAs) in your area, OR request a referral for services from your child’s school.
  • Does my student need an individualized education plan to receive behavioral health services in their school?
    • No, an individualized education plan is not required to receive behavioral health services in their school. Each school has unique relationships with behavioral health providers in their area. Some schools allow services to be provided on campus; other schools refer students off campus. Speak with your school nurse or principal on how to connect your student with services.
  • Do I need to provide permission for my child to receive a referral, or to receive behavioral health services in their school?
    • Yes. A parent or guardian must provide permission for their child to receive a referral, or to receive a behavioral health service.
  • How much does it cost to receive behavioral health services?
    • This is different for everyone, though there should be little to no out-of-pocket cost for services provided in, or referred by,our child’s school. You may be required to pay premiums or co-payments to receive medical services under some AHCCCS programs. Generally, the amount of these payments depends on the AHCCCS program and your monthly income. If a student is eligible for services under CBHSF, there will be no out of pocket cost for these services.

FAQ for Schools

  • How do I get behavioral health services for students at my school?
    • The Behavioral Health Resource Guide for Schools gives school leadership and parents steps to follow to partner with a behavioral health provider in your community, and to create the necessary policies to make referrals. This guide was created by AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Education. Sample policy templates are included.
  • Who pays for behavioral health services in schools?
    • Behavioral health services for children who qualify for Medicaid (AHCCCS) may receive services through their AHCCCS health plan. Further, uninsured and underinsured students may also receive behavioral health services paid by AHCCCS under the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG), the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG), and, for a limited time, with the Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund.
  • What is the Mental Health Block Grant and which children are included?
    • The Mental Health Block Grant provides grant funded services to children with serious emotional disturbances and individuals who have experienced a first episode of psychosis within the past 2 years.Learn more on the Mental Health Block Grant web page.
  • What is the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and which children are included?
  • Did the CBHSF end in June 2022?
    • No, the CBHSF did not end in June 2022. The CBHSF is non-lapsing funding that will be available until all 8 million dollars has been spent. Schools can continue to refer students to Behavioral Health providers to utilize this fund.

AHCCCS School-Based Universal Referral Form

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System is making efforts to improve the system of care for school professionals making referrals to community mental health providers. As part of these efforts we are sharing the School-Based Universal Referral Form which can be used by school professionals (i.e., counselor, social worker, psychologist, nurse, etc) who have obtained parent/guardian consent and are following district policy to make referrals to community mental health providers.

FAQ for School-Based Universal Referral Form

  • Who should use this form?
    • This form is to be utilized by school staff who make referrals to community mental health providers.
  • Who can make referrals to community mental health providers?
    • A school professional ( i.e., counselor, social worker, psychologist, nurse, etc.) must get the parent/guardian consent and follow district guidelines prior to making a referral for a student to a community mental health provider.
  • Does a school need to know the student’s insurance information before making a referral?
    • No. Referrals can be sent to community mental health providers without knowing the student’s insurance information. Insurance information and available funding sources can be discussed/determined during the intake with the community mental health provider.
  • How much does it cost to receive behavioral health services from a community mental health provider?
    • This is different for everyone, though there should be little to no out-of-pocket cost for services provided in, or referred by, your child’s school. You may be required to pay premiums or co-payments to receive medical services under some AHCCCS programs. Generally, the amount of these payments depends on the AHCCCS program and your monthly income. If a student is eligible for services under Children’s Behavioral Health Service Fund (CBHSF), there will be not out of pocket costs for these services.

School Feedback Form

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) wants to ensure a smooth and easy process for school districts to refer students to community behavioral health providers. It is our priority for students to receive timely services, regardless of the funding source (i.e., Medicaid, Children’s Behavioral Health Services Fund [CBHSF], federal grants, etc.). The intention of this feedback form is to capture the experience of schools working with community behavioral health providers and to identify the successes, the delays, and/or barriers schools have experienced. We hope to use this feedback to collaborate with our contracted health plans to remove barriers for school districts, and improve the timeliness of service delivery for students. Please fill in as much information as you have available. If you do not have information for a particular question, please leave it blank. Also, indicate if you would like assistance with resolving barriers. If you do not want assistance at this time or choose to remain anonymous, your feedback will be used to inform overall system improvements.

This form can be completed multiple times by the same district, so if you are not currently experiencing a barrier or do not wish for assistance at this time, you can always complete this form again if anything changes. AHCCCS greatly appreciates you taking the time to provide us with feedback.

Please find our feedback form at this link: School Feedback Form

Revised 05/11/2023