BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – A Brown County supervisor is introducing a proposal to help at-risk students.
Mark Becker is spearheading an effort that would make it easier for already troubled kids, or those showing early signs of getting to that level, to get “access to our mental health programs, services, and counselors through any school district in Brown County that could use a little bit of help.”
Becker notes it’s not just for students who are believed to be a risk to others.
“This could be a student at risk for suicide. This could be friends of someone that has completed suicide.”
He says the program could allow for either school officials or parents to raise concern about a child.
While Becker says bringing forth this proposal wasn’t spurred by last week’s mass shooting at a Florida high school that claimed 17 lives, he notes it was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back.’
“In every one of these (school shootings) that we have seen over the past many years, a big thing that has been a constant was mental health.”
Becker says he feels compelled to do something, noting there is support from local school officials and at least one fellow supervisor representing each of the county’s school districts.
“Communities are crying out for leadership. Communities are crying out for something to be done. If something’s not going to be done at the top, well then what we’ll do is we’ll act locally.”
Becker says there’s no word on a potential cost.
He plans on formally introducing it to his fellow board members Wednesday night.
It would go the board’s Human Services Committee for review and recommendation before returning to the full board.
