Frequently Asked Questions
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Tutorials
What is the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program?
- The Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program is funded by the state Legislature as part of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium. TCHATT partners with school districts for free, virtual, mental health care with licensed clinicians. It extends the capacity of school counseling staff to give students access to much-needed services. TCHATT is free for all students and schools.
How do I schedule a TCHATT appointment for a student?
- Step 1. Talk to a student’s parent or guardian about TCHATT.
Step 2. If they are interested, you can help the parent/guardian sign up and give written consent. (If the child is 18 or older, they can give their own consent.)
Step 3. The school counselor or liaison is responsible for helping the student attend their in-school TCHATT appointments. You and the parent/guardian will receive appointment reminders.
Step 4. Someone from TCHATT will call, text, or email the parent/guardian from [phone #] or [email] to schedule the first appointment with the parent/guardian and child. All TCHATT sessions are virtual.
Step 5. The student will attend virtual sessions in a private space at their school, another location, or at home. Sessions can include assessments, coping techniques, and education for your child on managing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate.
Step 6. TCHATT will work to connect your student with additional community services if they need more mental health care.
What happens in a session if we can’t get ahold of the guardian to participate? Does the session still occur?
- It’s important for parents/guardians to know how treatment is going for their student. Parents/guardians must be part of the first TCHATT (intake) appointment with their student and are encouraged to be part of other sessions as much as possible and appropriate. All sessions are virtual and confidential. They must be held in a quiet, private place.
What do services look like for students aged 18 years or older, or emancipated?
- Students 18 years and older are able to sign their own consent paperwork to participate in TCHATT Services. Once the consent forms are complete, they will have online visits with a TCHATT clinician. Our team can also connect students to other community resources as needed.
What supports are available from TCHATT for families that were prescribed medication in a medication evaluation for their student but are unable to afford the cost of the medications?
- TCHATT can help problem solve these situations and assist in identifying low-cost and free options for families.
If a child is in therapy currently but presents with an urgent need at school, can they receive support from TCHATT?
- If a child is receiving therapy inside or outside the school setting and presents with an urgent need at school, they can still be seen for an urgent appointment. You can also use TCHATT for diagnostic clarification if needed. If you have an urgent question or urgent student need, complete the urgent assessment form and call 512-763-7523 if you require support.
When are consultations available with TCHATT clinicians?
- There are morning and afternoon consultation spots if there is not an urgent need. Consultations can be scheduled same day or in the future depending on your student’s schedule and needs.
How will I hear about new information and updates to the TCHATT program?
- Campus liaisons will receive a newsletter by email and announcements will also be posted on the partner dashboard.
What does CPAN stand for?
- Child Psychiatry Access Network.
What is BASC?
- Behavior Assessment System for Children.
What is Trayt and how does it work?
- Trayt is a protected health information referral and support platform that will be used for all TCHATT appointments going forward.
What if I need to schedule a registration appointment for multiple siblings?
- Please schedule a consultation appointment between yourself (i.e., campus liaison or district lead) and a TCHATT staff member before scheduling a registration appointment for sibling groups larger than two students. This helps us plan ahead so we can better accommodate them.
