February 3, 2025 – Miami, FL – Miami-Dade Public Schools (M-DCPS) is taking action to ensure that M-DCPS students have access to high-quality, clinically-proven care. Starting this month, students will have access to virtual mental and physical health care services through Hazel Health. This initiative, supported through an investment by UnitedHealthcare, is part of a broader effort announced last year to provide virtual school-centered health care for up to 1 million students across select states nationwide.
"Our schools have evolved into comprehensive support hubs where students can access vital resources that foster success both academically and personally," said Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. "Through our collaboration with Hazel Health, and with the support of UnitedHealthcare, we are expanding our offerings to connect students with timely, essential school-centered services. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to removing barriers for our students and families and transforming lives through clinically-validated care."
Approximately 1 in 5 children face mental health challenges, with depression and anxiety being the most common conditions. And, while there are early signs signaling improvement, the numbers still paint a grim picture of the health and wellbeing of our nation’s youngest generation. Recent data shows that many of these children lack access to essential health services, with barriers ranging from provider shortages to stigma and cost. This gap in care not only affects their wellbeing but can also impact their academic performance, social relationships, and long-term development.
“We have witnessed soaring rates of mental health challenges and declining health indicators among children, adolescents, and their families, and we understand the impact that it has on a student’s academic success,” said Andrew Post, President, Hazel Health. “However, this isn't just about academic success – it's about equipping our young people with the tools and resilience they'll need throughout their lives. By investing in student health and wellness today, we're not only improving their classroom performance, we're laying the foundation for their lifelong success.”
Starting this month, students can access virtual health care at school or at home through a connected device. School community leaders, principals, nurses, counselors, teachers, families and guardians are all able to refer a student to Hazel services. Approximately 50% of Hazel Health’s provider force identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and 40% of providers are bilingual. Providers speak 29 languages; 31 languages are spoken between all providers.
“Children spend a large part of their day in school and being able to provide medical and behavioral health services where they are in a culturally competent way helps to break down barriers to deliver care to families regardless of socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity,” said Michael Lawton, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida. “We’re honored to collaborate with Hazel Health and M-DCPS to expand these critical services to students and their caregivers.”
Hazel Health, the nation’s largest provider of school-centered telehealth, serves 5 million students in 17 states. A third-party study conducted by Clemson University found that 75% of students who participated in Hazel’s online therapy program experienced clinically significant reductions in depression and anxiety after an average of six sessions. Additionally, early research also indicates that Hazel’s therapy program can combat chronic absenteeism. One emerging data point: 68% of students who engaged with Hazel’s therapy program improved their attendance–and over 30% had zero absences!--since their referral to Hazel.
To learn more, please visit hazel.co.
Press Contact:
Elizabeth Austin
elizabethaustin@hazel.co
