Molina will provide up to $8,000 during the 2026-2027 school year to support counseling services for at least 10 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
The initiative builds on a community relationship between Molina and Tempe Elementary Schools that began in 2022 through back-to-school backpack distributions and winter coat drives.
The partnership also responds directly to a growing community need following the depletion of the Arizona Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund, which the Legislature created in 2020 to cover mental health services for students unable to access Medicaid-sponsored care. With those resources exhausted, many uninsured and underinsured students across the state have been left without access to support.
“For many families, funding can be the difference between a child receiving needed support or going without it. This partnership has helped bridge that gap and ensure children receive timely care when they need it most,” said Marie Sahin, LCSW, program coordinator at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services.
Three behavioral health providers will deliver counseling at Tempe Elementary Schools: Free Life Wellness, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services, and Terros Health. Each provider maintains an existing presence on campus at least once a week, allowing students to access care during the school day.
School counselors, nurses, and social services staff will identify and refer eligible students, with parent/guardian consent.
Molina and Tempe Elementary Schools will meet regularly to monitor program implementation and ensure funds are directed to students who cannot qualify for services through other means.
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