Iowa Advisory Committee

Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Care for Students in K-12 Schools

The Iowa Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is currently conducting a study on access to mental and behavioral health care for students in K-12 schools. The Committee aims to examine the barriers, if any, to access mental and behavioral health services for students on basis of race, color, disability status, national origin, age, religion, and/or sex. The Committee is hosting a series of online public panel briefings to hear testimony from various stakeholders, including advocates, government officials, and impacted individuals. The Committee intends to provide the Commission with their findings and recommendations on this topic.

The Committee's project proposal discusses the background information and relevant federal, state, or local laws related to the Committee's chosen topic. It outlines the questions the Committee aims to address in its report and expects speakers to cover in their testimony. The project proposal also includes the methodology, anticipated outcome and timeline for this project.

Panelists

Jacob Priest, Associate Professor | Scanlan Center for School Mental Health

Allan Eckelman, High School Counselor | Beckman Catholic High School

Courtney Cook, President and Erin Lane, Vice President, | Iowa School Counselor Association

Agenda

I. Introductory Remarks (3:00 - 3:10 pm)

II. Presentations (3:10 - 4:10 pm)

III. Q & A (4:10 - 4:35 pm)

VI. Public Comment (4:35 - 4:50 pm)

V. Business Meeting (Tentative)

VI. Adjournment (5:00 pm)



Panelists

Karen Mackey, Director | Sioux City Human Rights Commission

Renee Hardman, President and CEO | Lutheran Services in Iowa

Kelly Garcia, Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services



Agenda

I. Introductory Remarks (3:00 - 3:10 pm)

II. Presentations (3:10 - 4:10 pm)

III. Q & A (4:10 - 4:35 pm)

VI. Public Comment (4:35 - 4:50 pm)

V. Business Meeting (Tentative)

VI. Adjournment (5:00 pm)

Panelists

Anne Harris Carter, Health Equity Manager | Linn County Public Health

Cindy Yelick, Chief Administrator| Heartland Area Education Agency

Tami Valline, High School Counselor | Perry High School

Tonya Hotchkin, Vice President of Clinical Prevention Services | Tanager Place



Agenda

I. Introductory Remarks (3:00 - 3:10 pm)

II. Presentations (3:10 - 4:10 pm)

III. Q & A (4:10 - 4:35 pm)

VI. Public Comment (4:35 - 4:50 pm)

V. Business Meeting (Tentative)

VI. Adjournment (5:00 pm)

Closed captioning is provided through Zoom and available by selecting "CC" in the meeting platform. Individuals requiring accommodations may contact csanders@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

There will be a public comment period near the end of the meeting. Members of the public may make oral comments for up to five minutes on the topic. Please note that the Committee is advisory in nature only and has no enforcement authority. The Committee, therefore, cannot investigate or resolve individual civil rights complaints.

Written comment will also be accepted—members of the public may submit written comments to csanders@usccr.gov within 30 days of the meeting to be included in the meeting records.

Meeting records are available publicly here

Each briefing is recorded and transcribed for the public record. To learn more about each briefing, please follow the button below:

Policy Brief

To learn more about the Committee, visit their Homepage below.

For questions, please contact:

Corrine Sanders, Support Specialist | csanders@usccr.gov

Ana Victoria Fortes, Designated Federal Officer | afortes@usccr.gov

For those interested in following the Commission's work, please click on the "Stay Connected" button below.