BSISD partners with Texas Tech University to better serve students

Texas Tech University now offers psychological and psychiatric counseling to Big Spring ISD students, in a pair of programs approved by the school district.

BSISD Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Assessment Dr. Raemi Thompson explained the programs.

“We’re just serving as an opportunity. We’re not the experts; we don’t provide the service,” Thompson said. “But if a student is expressing a need, emotionally, or if a parent wants to reach out, we will help them get started and refer them to a professional.”

The two programs offered by Texas Tech through BSISD are known as Campus Alliance for Telehealth Resources (CATR) and Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN).

Thompson explained that CATR is offered during the school day to students in 4th through 12th grades, while the CPAN is offered outside of school to students in K-12.

“With the CATR, students are pulled out of class one at a time, and they hook you up with a virtual session,” Thompson said. “Parents can be involved; we want the parents involved. We’re just providing a local place to reach out. We’re not the ones providing the service. We’re just helping you

get in touch with people.”

On the other hand, CPAN offers consultation on psychiatric services such as assessment and diagnosis, medication management, referrals to local professionals, and, according to a flyer issued by the program,

“Consultation with a psychiatrist in 30 minutes or less.”

Thompson said there is no charge by BSISD or Texas Tech for either of the programs. She added that the programs provide referrals to professional help, and professionals not working directly through the programs will probably charge for their services.

Thompson said that, while students’ psychological health is always a concern, recent experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated those concerns.

“The COVID pandemic hasn’t helped things,” she said. “We’ve seen that students

Howard County has reported as of April 1:

• 2,998 positive cases

• 100 COVID-19 fatalities

• 12 Active cases

• 4,436 recovered

• 1,550 probable cases

Outpatient COVID testing