School-Based Behavioral Health Support

When a child is struggling, getting help shouldn't mean missing school or waiting weeks for an appointment.

Alliance Healthcare Services places full-time mental health professionals (called School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons) inside Shelby County schools so students can get support during the school day.

Services are free at the school level, and we never start working with your child without your permission. If you have a child at one of our partner schools, you can ask for help today.

What support looks like for your child

Every child is different, so the kind of help we offer depends on what your child needs. With your consent, our liaisons may provide:

• One-on-one counseling at school, during the school day

• Small-group support with other students working through similar things

• Mental health check-ins and brief assessments

• Help connecting to outside care — including free mental health care for children without insurance.

• Help bridging school, home, and outside providers so your child's care is consistent

Common reasons families ask for our support include anxiety, sadness or depression, grief, big life changes at home, trouble with friendships, or behavior at school that has parents and teachers worried.

How it works at your child's school

Our liaisons are not visitors. They are part of the school community.

• On-site every school day. Your child's liaison is at the same school each day, not rotating between buildings.

• Available until 4:30 PM. Teachers, families, and school staff can reach the liaison during and after the school day.

• Care that doesn't stop in June. Liaisons continue to support students through school breaks, summer school, and summer camps — so families don't lose progress over the summer.

• Supervised, trained, and supported. Every liaison receives ongoing clinical supervision and professional development.

How to start a conversation about your child

1. Talk to your child's school counselor or principal. Tell them you would like to connect with the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison.

2. The liaison will reach out. They will explain what they do, answer your questions, and walk you through a simple consent form. Nothing begins without your written permission.

3. Sessions happen during the school day. You stay in the loop the whole time. You can ask questions, end services at any time, and request updates.

You can also call Alliance at (901) 369-1410 and we can help connect you to the right person at your child's school.

Schools we serve

Alliance currently has liaisons embedded at the following Shelby County schools:

• Douglas K-8

• Ford Road Elementary

• Grandview Heights Middle

• Hamilton High

• Hamilton K-8

• Kingsbury High

• KIPP High

• KIPP Middle

• Libertas

• MBA High

• MBA Middle

• Melrose High

• Millington Primary

• Perea Elementary

• Westside Middle

• Westwood High

Don't see your school? Call (901) 369-1410 — we can help you find local support for your child.

For schools and district partners

Alliance partners with Shelby County schools to embed full-time behavioral health professionals on campus, consult with teachers and school staff, and deliver trauma-informed training across the school community.

If you are a principal, counselor, or district leader exploring a partnership or interested in expanding services at a current site, we want to hear from you.

Get in touch: Call (901) 369-1410 and ask for the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program, or email Alliance to be connected with our program team.

If your child is in crisis right now

If your child is thinking about hurting themselves or someone else, or is in immediate danger, do not wait for school hours.

• Call or text 988 — the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Available 24/7.

• Call Alliance's 24-Hour Crisis Line: (901) 577-9400. A trained counselor will answer any time of day or night.

• If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

For children and youth ages 4–17, Alliance also operates the Children & Youth Wellness Center, a 24/7 crisis stabilization center in Memphis.

How this program is funded

This program is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services