Lt. Governor Husted announces completion of first phase of Broadband Telehealth Pilot Project
Lt. Governor visits SHCC
On February 4, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted announced the first phase of the Broadband Telehealth Pilot Project at SOLSD is fully operational. The project included partners InnovateOhio, BroadbandOhio, the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Since this first phase has been completed, K-12 students will now have access to mental health counselors in real time. Previously, counselors had a commute of up to 60 minutes to reach children in need.
By connecting schools with mental health providers through telehealth, the project takes another step in the state’s efforts to expand and enhance high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved Ohioans.
In addition, the Lt. Governor announced the launch of the second phase of the project, which will work to connect the school’s existing fiber-optic network directly to remote offices of mental health professionals, so students can have access to care and additional services, beyond the two counselors who physically work in the schools. The first such connection is with pilot project partner Southeast Healthcare Facilities.
SOLSD was also able to leverage additional dollars through the Appalachian Regional Commission to receive a $500,000 grant that will extend broadband into the community.
