Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine Frequently Asked Questions From Teachers
How will the TCHATT program benefit the child?
This program can help any student who is experiencing symptoms that indicate an emotional
or behavioral concern. TCHATT is meant to be a collaboration with school staff to
provide resources you may not have access to such as mental health referrals and counseling.
By referring a child to counseling, it allows them to learn coping skills and gain
potential insight, thus developing a healthy way to cope with stressors.
Do the students know about the TCHATT program?
Each school will have their own process of how to inform the staff and students about
the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program. Should a school
have a preferred method of communication, the TCHATT staff will assist in coordinating
the best way to distribute that information.
Will there be information provided to the students other than what is being sent to the parent/legal guardian?
At this time, there is no additional information being distributed other than what
is provided to the parent/legal guardian. However, the school liaison will be coached
on how to inform the parent/legal guardian about the TCHATT program.
What if the parent/legal guardian is given a referral and refuse to follow up for
counseling?
For any student that the TCHATT provider feels a referral to another provider or organization
would be the best fit, the provider will always consult the family first. Agreeing
to or pursuing the referral is not a requirement. If the student/family is unable
to participate in the referral at that time, they have the opportunity to pursue therapy
should the opportunity arise. We will ensure they have the needed contact information.
What assessments do we provide?
TCHATT has access to a wide range of assessments and screening tools that will allow
us to focus on areas of concern, while also considering the age of the student. If
more in-depth or specialty evaluation is needed, a referral might be placed for the
specific need.
Will referrals be made for care outside of TCHATT?
Should the therapist deem that a referral is recommended for the student, they will
discuss the recommendation with the family. Should the family give consent, a referral
will be placed through our own electronic medical record system. Part of our responsibility
is to make every effort to pair our clients with providers for ongoing care as needed.
TCHATT will take payment method accepted by external providers into account when making
referrals.
Where will the sessions be held?
Each school will have a designated location where sessions will take place. The location
may be different for each school. For students participating in at-home schooling,
there is a potential we can perform the sessions within their preferred environment.
For that option, specific information will need to be gathered to determine if the
session can take place. Should we conclude that an in-home session is warranted, information
will be sent to the parent/legal guardian informing them of the recommendations and
rules that would allow a session to take place.
What virtual program will be used for the sessions and will they be recorded?
Microsoft® Teams will be used, and it is HIPAA compliant. Sessions will not be recorded.
By using this method, it will allow us the opportunity to have families participate
without having to be in the same location as the student. Training or informational
meetings on how to use Microsoft® Teams will be available to the school liaison if
needed.
What is the time frame of scheduling the student’s first appointment?
Our goal is to have something scheduled within a week of the referral being completed.
However, this is dependent on the family returning all necessary signed documents
to us in a timely manner. Since the sessions are completed at school, the student
should only miss one class period. The school liaison will assist in scheduling all
appointments to ensure the best time for the student.
How many sessions does a student receive with TCHATT?
TCHATT provides an intake appointment, during which the intake specialist will gain
more information about the student’s symptoms, stressors, and concerns. Should additional
sessions be recommended, a limited number of telehealth sessions may be scheduled
with a licensed provider. At any point during the sessions, a therapist can recommend
a referral to a community resource. The TCHATT provider can see the student to ensure
continuous coverage until the student is established with their new provider.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions generally last about an hour, though they may extend up to 1.5 hours depending
on the session type.
How will everyone be able to sign the consent forms?
The parental consent form will be available through electronic means, or it can be
provided as a physical document. Should a physical document be requested, the school
liaison will scan it and send it to the TCHATT Referral Coordinator.
If I suspect that a student may be struggling in certain areas, am I overreacting
if I refer them to counseling?
No! Please remember that you are the eyes and ears for your students. If you see a
sudden change in a student and feel they may need counseling, please refer them. You
know your students better than anyone. All referrals will go through the school liaison
who is familiar with our program and eligibility criteria. We would much rather you
refer than withhold a referral that might have helped a student
What is the referral process?
You will refer the student to the school liaison who will then look over the information
and determine which program would be the best fit for the student’s needs. Should
the liaison feel TCHATT is the best program, they will refer the student to us. However,
in the event of imminent crisis, the liaison will follow the school’s crisis protocols
to ensure the student gets immediate assistance. While TCHATT is geared toward assisting
children, we are not a crisis clinic and do not have the immediate resources in place
that are often needed for children who are actively in crisis.
How do I get more information from TCHATT on mental health?
For more information, please let the school liaison know and they will refer you to
us. We hope to offer educational opportunities that will focus on mental health for
both the students and the staff. Should there be specific topics the staff would like
more information on, we are here to assist.
How much work will this be for the teachers?
All staff are encouraged to refer students in need to the school TCHATT liaison. As
for the work responsibility, there will be a presentation given on the TCHATT program
and the processes involved. Additionally, we will offer educational trainings throughout
the year. The only thing we ask is for school staff to keep doing what they are doing.
If you notice signs that indicate a student is having a problem, please talk to the
school liaison or submit a request for the student to be assessed.