Medford Schools, Care Solace Partner On Mental Health Services

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford Public Schools this week selected Care Solace as its coordinator to expand access to community mental health and substance use treatment providers for students, staff and their families.

Care Solace provides a Care Companion team that can quickly find available providers in the community, and equips school systems with a customized online tool that gives community members a way to anonymously search for providers matched to their needs.

Stacey Schulman, director of School Counseling & Behavioral Health, has worked to find additional support for students and staff since the pandemic began.

"Finding quality mental health care has been challenging, this partnership will strengthen our resources and assist students, families, and faculty with searching for providers," Schulman said in a statement.

By providing an avenue for mental health assistance, the MPS expects to be better prepared to meet the needs of all of its students. This aligns with the district's priority of addressing the social-emotional needs of its students, while also taking into account race, equity, diversity and inclusion.

The MPS said its district-wide focus will help to maintain a learning environment built upon the pillars of safety, equity and consistency.

Care Solace's care navigation system uses proprietary technology and a vast database of behavioral and mental health care resources to find carefully verified therapists and programs in minutes.

"The return to in-person learning and the lasting effects of loss and grief pose new challenges for staff and families in the 2021-22 school year," said Chad Castruita, founder and CEO of Care Solace. "We are proud to support Medford Public Schools in prioritizing the well-being of its school community by providing timely access into mental health care and substance use treatment services."

The Care Solace service is now available at no cost to Medford Public Schools students, staff, and their families. For more information about Care Solace, please visit https://www.caresolace.org/medford.