This month, the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) partnered with DePelchin Children’s Center to provide mental health services to students at George I. Sanchez Charter School’s two campuses in Houston. Through this new collaboration the two nonprofit organizations will make it possible for George I. Sanchez Charter School students in need of mental health support to be referred to DePelchin Children’s Center’s Families COUNT program and to receive free counseling services on campus.

The Families COUNT program provides free in-person or telehealth counseling to children ages 3-17 and their families. Counselors address issues such as depression, anxiety, school problems, family conflict and much more.

“It is no secret that the global pandemic has disproportionately impacted many of our families. Part of our students are still living with the challenges brought about by isolation and social distancing, and mental health is a major factor in that process,” Adolfo Melara, President and Superintendent at AAMA explained. “This new collaboration with DePelchin Children’s Center will make their team of highly-trained and experienced counselors more directly available to our students and their families. This is one more way we are seeking to remove any barriers to access our families may be experiencing.”

AAMA’s George I. Sanchez Charter Schools operate two campuses in Houston: Sanchez Charter School South located at 6001 Gulf Freeway, Houston, Texas 77023, and Sanchez Charter School North located at 215 Rittenhouse Street, Houston, Texas 77076. Both campuses offer tuition-free charter school experiences to students in grades 6th to 12th grade, including wraparound programs and services in support of their student families.

Through this collaboration DePelchin Children’s Center will screen all referrals to the Families COUNT program; employ Master level counselors to provide evidence-based, mental health counseling services; provide mental health needs assessments, individual and/or family counseling, and individual support services for students; and maintain confidentiality for every student served. AAMA, in turn, will identify and refer students in need of behavioral health services to the Families COUNT program; and provide accommodations for private counseling sessions to take place at its two campuses.