LACOE, through a historic partnership with L.A. Care Health Plan, Health Net, and the L.A. County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), is poised to offer access to mental health services for L.A. County’s 1.3 million K-12 public school students.
The partnership with school-based telehealth company Hazel Health will use virtual care to deliver mental health support for all students, resulting in shorter wait times to connect with qualified therapists, and enabling earlier intervention.
Timely care is essential for early intervention and prevention. Hazel’s virtual mental health platform allows California-licensed therapists across the U.S. to support students conveniently in school and at home.
To help make mental healthcare more accessible for students, all districts and schools in Los Angeles County may opt-in to participate in the Hazel Health virtual mental health program.
Through funding from the California Department of Health Care Services’ Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP), this service will be provided at no cost to participating LEAs in Los Angeles County through 2024.
To initiate implementation in your district, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, once an district or school has implemented services, students are referred for a mental health intake and assessment either by a school counselor, social worker, or parent/guardian. In some cases, students may self-refer. Hazel’s Family Resource Managers will work with families to get students scheduled with a Hazel therapist for short-term therapy sessions if deemed appropriate from the intake and assessment. Sessions are scheduled to occur at school (during school hours) or at home and are generally available from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
District leaders can learn more via information sessions held by LACOE and Hazel Health. Visit hazel.co/lacoe for more information.
Information sessions will provide opportunities for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to learn about the implementation process and next steps. Districts participating in the program will have access to marketing and communications information to share with their families to help drive awareness and ensure that families know the program is at no cost to them and how they can access these services.
Hazel Health’s virtual mental health services will be made available to all LEAs in the county and will be launched in each participating LEA and their schools based on mutually agreed upon timelines.
Currently, L.A. Care, HealthNet, and their plan partners, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield Promise, and Molina Healthcare - are all partnered to support the program.
The partners are committed to connecting students to therapists who reflect and understand diverse populations. More than 60 percent of Hazel Health therapists identify as people of color, and more than 30 percent are bilingual. This commitment to culturally competent care is unique among service providers and reflects the LEAs’ commitment to equity and inclusion.
