There are currently 125 schools that have a mental health professional.
The district says it's hopeful that by the end of the school year, all 198 Wake schools will have their own dedicated therapist.
"We were hoping to get to that number sooner with our federal funding, but we lost that. We're coming up with some other plans," said WCPSS Director of Social Work Michael Pesce.
Wake received grant money for this initiative.
District leaders also discussed plans to expand a program where grief counselors provide group therapy to students experiencing loss.
An update was additionally given on the ongoing partnership with Alliance Health.
Educators can write referrals and help link students to needed services.
We're told most families are now being seen within 48 hours.
The district is looking to make continued mental health investments at a time the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reporting suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 18, and 50 percent of high schoolers who were bullied reported poor mental health.
Pesce says there are challenges in meeting the need because of federal and state funding cuts.
"We have 126 social workers, for example. Some of them are in two or three schools, and every time we have either a cut in that service, that means they have to spread out to more schools," he said. "Our goal is, of course, to get that type of service and that position in every school."
Keeping the A/C on
The district is also taking proactive steps to keep A/Cs running in school during this hot, humid weather.
Wake Co. Schools gives update on HVAC systems ahead of new school year
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Bugg Elementary is one campus the district says typically experiences HVAC problems and staff recently placed a temporary chiller here.
Similar equipment has also been placed at Cedar Fork Elementary, Wendell Middle, and Leesville Complex
There were 46 early dismissals or closures last year because the heat or air wasn't working properly.
This year, the district says starting day one, workers will be on standby.
"Contractors staged daily at Rock Quarry Road so that they can be dispatched immediately as needed. This approach should significantly shorten the gap between failure/discovery and repair," said WCPSS Maintenance and Facilities Senior Director Nate Slavick.
Wake says preventative maintenance was done throughout the summer on all HVAC systems.
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