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Naples, Fl – The David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-forprofit mental health and substance use treatment facility serving children, adults and families, is pleased to announce the creation of an innovative new position designed to improve mental health services delivered to children within the Collier County Public Schools. Nicole St. Amand has joined the clinical team as the new School Liaison and Education Day Treatment Program Clinician. The position is being funded by the Naples Children & Education Foundation Beautiful Minds initiative. As School Liaison, St. Amand’s duties include connecting with guidance counselors, teachers and nursing staff to coordinate referrals and enhance communication between the David Lawrence Centers treatment providers and the educational and administrative school contacts of existing clients. As a result of increased calls from schools for crisis stabilization and Baker Act referrals, St. Amand will also be the point person for school personnel wishing to communicate and follow up on children referred to the Center for evaluation. As the Collier County Public Schools Educational Day Treatment Program Clinician, St. Amand provides mental health and substance use services in the classroom setting to struggling adolescents with exceptional needs. Services include assessments, ongoing consultation, on-site treatment planning, joint instructional planning with the teacher and behavioral analyst, case management review and individual and family therapy. St. Amand has over seven years of experience working in the mental health field. Prior to the David Lawrence Centers, St. Amand worked at SalusCare Florida in Fort Myers where she was a Therapeutic Behavioral Clinician working with at risk children and adolescents who have a mental health issues. St. Amand earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University and her Master of Social Work from Barry University. The David Lawrence Centers and Collier County Public Schools have been long-standing partners in ensuring the mental wellness of children in the classroom and beyond. This collaborative partnership is designed to improve student achievement by addressing mental health concerns and developing new strategies and initiatives that will assist with prevention, early intervention, treatment and improved care coordination for children with mental health concerns. Scott Burgess, David Lawrence Centers CEO stated, “David Lawrence Centers and the School District are committed to the health and happiness of our children. The creation of this new School Liaison position is just one of many ways we are working together to identify needs and ensure appropriate access to services for early identification and intervention. We are grateful for the generosity and continued support of the Naples Children & Education Foundation for their commitment to the mental health needs of children in our community.” David Lawrence Centers is the Southwest Florida-based, not-for-profit leading provider of behavioral health solutions dedicated to inspiring and creating life-changing wellness for every individual. The Center provides innovative, comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, residential and community based prevention and treatment services for the one in four local children and adults who experience mental health, emotional, psychological and substance use challenges. David Lawrence Centers has eight locations in Collier County and touches the lives of more than 50,000 people each year. For more information about David Lawrence Centers call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org. ####