After dedicating 38 years to working as a school psychologist, with over 14 years spent at the Moffat County School District, Teresa Laster, a 65-year-old retiree, finds herself returning for the 15th year. Despite officially retiring in June, Laster continues to work in the Craig schools out of concern for the mental and behavioral health, as well as the special education needs of the district’s 1,912 students, ensuring they receive the necessary support.
Laster had provided the school district with three years’ notice of her intended retirement, and the position has been posted on three separate occasions. Unfortunately, the district has failed to attract any viable candidates for the role, which requires a minimum of a master’s degree in psychology, according to Cuyler Meade, MCSD director of communications and grants.
The National Association of School Psychologists has highlighted the critical shortage in the field of school psychology, both in terms of practitioners and the availability of graduate education programs and faculty required to train the workforce. The association recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per 500 students to provide comprehensive services, yet the actual ratio is estimated to be one counselor to 1,127 students, and sometimes up to 5,000 students nationwide.
Recruiting and hiring school psychologists and social workers is even more challenging in rural Colorado, as the positions often offer thousands of dollars less in comparison to those in the Front Range. Furthermore, housing costs in resort regions, combined with the intermittent nature of grant-funded social work positions, also deter potential applicants.
Addressing these gaps, opportunities, and strengths in mental and behavioral health care support is the primary focus of the recently completed 2023 Yampa Valley Behavioral Health Landscape Scan. This study, commissioned by the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation in Steamboat Springs and the UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation, was coordinated by the non-profit organization The Health Partnership of Northwest Colorado.
In a recent landscape scan conducted in the Yampa Valley, a comprehensive exploration focused on specific populations including youth and young adults, the LGBTQ+ community in Moffat County, adult males working in traditional economies, and Latinx-identifying members within these groups. This study aimed to delve deeper into the lived experiences and mental health needs of these individuals.
Traditionally, reliance has been placed on surveys, quantitative studies, state data, and anecdotal information to gain insights. However, this landscape scan uniquely prioritized community voices, allowing individuals to share their experiences firsthand. As Bonnie Hernandez, director of impact at Craig-Scheckman, emphasized, listening to the community in their own words unveils a more authentic perspective.
Throughout the research, two common themes emerged among the different groups: a concerning lack of open discussion and normalized perception surrounding mental health, leading to stigma, and the significant impact of income inequality, which creates stressors that can profoundly affect mental well-being and hinder individuals from seeking appropriate help.
While numerous individuals and organizations tirelessly support young people in the Yampa Valley, there are limitations due to resource constraints. Efforts by Northwest Colorado Health, such as school-based mental health promotion and youth resiliency training, and Partners for Youth, who provide school-based mentors in select schools in Routt and Moffat counties, are deemed bright spots in this landscape scan.
Stephanie Einfeld, CEO of Northwest Colorado Health, acknowledged the importance of utilizing scan results to inform the agency’s 2024 strategic plan. Notably, the agency’s Youth Resiliency Program has demonstrated promising results for youth in the valley.
Like other rural school districts, Moffat relies on a combination of contracted online services and partnerships with nonprofit and healthcare agencies to meet the needs of students. Summit Psychological Assessment and Consultation, located in Colorado Springs, was contracted this year, with an employee serving virtually from Boulder. Additionally, virtual services play a crucial role in meeting the special education needs of students, such as speech and occupational therapy.
While virtual services can provide temporary solutions, it is acknowledged that they are not ideal in the long term. Jennifer Meade, a representative from the district, expressed concerns that some students may fall through the cracks when relying solely on external care outside of the school system.
Understanding the mental health needs within the Yampa Valley community is vital for developing comprehensive strategies that address stigma, improve access to care, and provide the necessary support systems. This landscape scan serves as a valuable foundation for initiating conversations, fostering collaboration, and guiding future initiatives to better serve the diverse population in the Yampa Valley community.
