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$200,000 Grant to Support Programs across Illinois through Cartwheel Care 

CHICAGO — As part of its ongoing investment in Illinois Medicaid, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has provided a $200,000 grant to Cartwheel Care, a virtual mental health care provider, serving students in several Illinois school districts. The grant will fund direct care for students including individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management, without waitlists.

Illinois has seen a significant increase in pediatric mental health issues for several years, a situation that was made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a report published in 2023, up to 40% of young people in Illinois who experienced major depressive episodes did not receive mental health care. 

“Our telehealth model can match students with clinicians who specialize in managing anxiety around attending school, which can lead to chronic absenteeism,” said Juliana Chen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel and child-adolescent psychiatrist. “We are grateful to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to support students and families throughout the state.”

Students and families have experienced challenges finding local mental health care providers, receiving multilingual care, and accessing services for elementary-aged students. This school year, students can be referred to Cartwheel by a parent, teacher, or school counselor when they are experiencing mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress.

Cartwheel’s services are provided by Illinois-licensed clinicians that specialize in working with students and their families. All services occur via telehealth appointments. Students usually begin care within 24 hours of a referral and participate in an average of 10-12 sessions, with 92% reporting positive outcomes. 

Services require parental consent and are available year-round and on weekends. 

“Telehealth-based behavioral care is especially effective because people often feel more comfortable talking with a therapist virtually,” said Dr. Tom Allen, Executive Medical Director for Behavioral Health at BCBSIL. “This investment in our schools is intended to make quality behavioral health care available regardless of family circumstances.”

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving 9 million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Cartwheel
Cartwheel is the trusted mental health partner to schools, delivering rapid access to care for students and helping schools build stronger mental health programs that catch kids before they fall. Our evidence-based mental health program is designed around the entire school community. Our licensed therapists and child psychiatrists are diverse, culturally sensitive, and committed to affordable care for everyone – including uninsured families and those covered by Medicaid. For more information, visit www.cartwheel.org. 

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Tricia Ament
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