DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 announces a new partnership with Daybreak Health to provide free mental health services, including teletherapy, to students and families across the district. This grant-funded initiative reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to supporting the mental well-being of all students, ensuring that mental health care is accessible, inclusive, and tailored to meet individual and family needs.
According to NAMI Illinois and the Kaiser Family Foundation, American Psychological Association, 81 of 102 counties in Illinois have no child/adolescent psychiatrist access, and 54% of teens see “no point to plan for the future.”
"At DeKalb CUSD 428, we are deeply committed to providing our students with the resources they need to thrive academically, and mental health is an essential part of that support," said Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, Ed.D., Superintendent of DeKalb CUSD 428. "Our partnership with Daybreak Health allows us to remove barriers to care and offer mental health services in the languages and formats that best meet our families' needs."
Through this partnership, students can access comprehensive mental health support, including individual and family therapy, through a secure virtual platform. Daybreak Health’s teletherapy services are available in multiple languages, and families can work with a diverse team of licensed clinicians who reflect the varied backgrounds of DeKalb's community. The services are available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., providing families with flexible access to care at convenient times.
In addition to individual and family therapy, Daybreak Health will offer free online mental health classes for families. These virtual classes provide resources and strategies to help families understand and support their children’s mental health needs, empowering parents and caregivers to be proactive in fostering emotional well-being at home.
Services began on October 3, 2024. Families can access these services by visiting app.daybreakhealth.com or contacting their child’s school. This initiative aligns with the district’s efforts to promote mental wellness through its Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs.
About Daybreak Health
Daybreak Health is a leader in virtual mental health services for children and adolescents, offering evidence-based therapy and counseling tailored to young people's unique needs. With a diverse staff of licensed clinicians, Daybreak Health is committed to making mental health care accessible, effective, and engaging for students and families, including multilingual support, family therapy options, and free online mental health classes for families.