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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 984
January 25, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives DITTRICH and ZIMMERMAN,
cosponsored by Senator TESTIN. Referred to Committee on Education.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to create 20.435 (5) (bx) of the statutes; relating to: a pilot
school-centered mental health program and making an appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires the Department of Health Services to distribute $428,000 in
each fiscal year of the 2023-25 biennium to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin
and Upper Michigan, Inc., to operate a school-centered mental health program in
two schools in this state. Under the bill, LSS must use the money to support full-time
therapist positions, family coach positions, and any other positions necessary to
operate the school-centered mental health program. Finally, under the bill, the
school-centered mental health program must meet various criteria, including that
it serve the most at-risk pupils and families at the school, serve pupils and families
year-round, include classroom observations and pupil-specific behavior
intervention, include evidence-based individual or family therapy, and provide
family coaching that provides skill development and parent education aligned with
therapeutic goals.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
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SECTION 1 ASSEMBLY BILL 984
SECTION 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert
the following amounts for the purposes indicated:
2023-24 2024-25
20.435 Health services, department of
(5) MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
(bx)School-centered mental health
program; Lutheran Social Ser
vices GPR A 428,000 428,000
SECTION 2. 20.435 (5) (bx) of the statutes is created to read:
20.435 (5) (bx) School-centered mental health program; Lutheran Social
Services. The amounts in the schedule for payments to Lutheran Social Services of
Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., under 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section
3 (1). No moneys may be encumbered from this appropriation after June 30, 2025.
SECTION 3.0Nonstatutory provisions.
(1) SCHOOL-CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM PILOT.
(a) In each fiscal year of the 2023-25 biennium, the department of health
services shall distribute the amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (cm) to
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., to operate a
school-centered mental health program at 2 schools in this state. Lutheran Social
Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., shall use moneys distributed under
this paragraph to support full-time therapist positions, family coach positions, and
other positions necessary to operate the school-centered mental health program.
(b) The school-centered mental health program operated under par. (a) shall
satisfy the following criteria:
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SECTION 3
ASSEMBLY BILL 984
1. The program serves the most at-risk pupils and families at each school at
which the program is operated,
2. The program is designed to engage the pupil and the pupil's family and other
identified supportive individuals in the pupil's life.
3. The program provides services to the pupil year-round.
4. The program includes evidence-based individual or family therapy at school,
at the pupil's home, or elsewhere in the community.
5. The program helps to connect families to community health services and
services addressing social determinants of health needs and to establish primary
care providers.
6. The program provides family coaching that provides skill development and
parent education aligned with therapeutic goals.
7. The program includes classroom observations and pupil-specific behavior
interventions.
8. The program facilitates school staff training.
9. The program includes an independent audit of the program's outcomes,
including a comparison to other school-based mental health models.
(END)
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