Ellen Blanchard

As a long term employee of a school district, I have seen firsthand how great the need for mental health, support and wraparound services are for students, families, schools and ultimately society. Students are struggling with many issues and supporting them and their families is imperative to their ability to successfully access an education. What we do not provide in the earlier years of students' lives will negatively impact them and again, society will bear the burden of unresolved issues, an inadequate education and often substance misuse as a form of self medication.