Daybreak Health Awards District 47 with the 2024 Elementary Partner of the Year Award

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 is proud to announce that Daybreak Health, a leading K-12 mental health provider, has awarded the district with the Elementary Partner of the Year award as part of its inaugural Mental Health Innovator of the Year awards. This award celebrates District 47’s exceptional efforts in supporting and addressing the mental health needs of students and families in the community. 

District 47 was the first district in Illinois to partner with Daybreak to offer teletherapy services to K-8 students. As Kristin Schmidt, Director of Social Emotional Learning, believes, “This partnership has bridged a critical gap for students and families.” Since April 2024, District 47 students have had access to 12 weeks of unlimited teletherapy sessions provided by licensed clinicians from Daybreak, all through referrals by district clinicians. Kristin Schmidt notes, “During the 6-week soft launch, 31 students were referred, 19 attended the intake meeting, and 93% of those students successfully received the services they needed.” This program is offered at no cost to families, ensuring that essential mental health services are accessible to those who need them most.

Access to high-quality mental care remains a significant barrier for children and families. Recognizing this, District 47 sought to enhance its capacity to provide mental health support to more students and families. While not intended to replace long-term therapy provided by local practitioners, the introduction of this teletherapy program aims to assist students facing mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, trauma, and depression, among others. District 47 supports the belief that students’ social and emotional well-being provides the foundation needed for all other learning to occur, recognizing that students’ academic success can suffer if they are experiencing mental health issues. 

This program has been funded through a school-based mental health grant, and Kristin Schmidt sees it as "an opportunity not only to enhance student well-being but also to foster a positive school culture.”

“This award is a testament to our commitment to the overall well-being of each and every student in District 47,” said Dr, Kathy J. Hinz, Superintendent. “We are honored to be recognized for this work, and we will continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our students as a foundation for their success both in and beyond the classroom.”

Daybreak Health CEO Alex Alvarado commended the district’s dedication, saying, “District 47’s mental health team has been instrumental in bringing these services into their schools. They have been incredible partners, ensuring these mental health services are equitable and accessible to all students and families in the District 47 community.”