skip to content

Initiatives & Programs

Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT)

Connect students to mental telehealth care through your school.

TCHATT supports students and their families by providing access to licensed mental health clinicians through secure telehealth services delivered in coordination with their schools.

  • Timely mental health support in a trusted location

  • Training opportunities for school staff

  • Vetted referrals and resources for families

  • Available for students in PreK–12th grade

Key Benefits

Referring students to TCHATT provides them with timely access to licensed mental health clinicians and care in the school setting.

  • Free, focused, and timely mental health services for students (no insurance required)

  • Virtual care delivered through school-based referrals

  • Focused support that fits the family’s schedule

  • All evidence-based and at no cost

When to Refer a Student

School staff can refer a student for a range of mental or behavioral health concerns, including:

Changes in mood or behavior

such as outbursts, isolation, or declining school performance

Anxiety or high stress

including social anxiety or sleep difficulties

Challenging relationships

at school or home

Thoughts of suicide or self-injury

Note: TCHATT is not for active crises. If in active crises, follow your school’s protocol or call 911.

Who Can Access TCHATT

Any public school in Texas can have TCHATT on its campus once a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place with the school district.

  • On the map above, you can see if your school or school district is enrolled or soon to be enrolled. The definitions below are designed to help you navigate the map.

How to read the map:

  • Active - TCHATT services are currently available at the school.

  • Onboarding - The school has signed an MOU and is preparing to launch services.

  • Pending - A draft MOU has been sent to the school district and is awaiting signature.

  • Planned - The school is scheduled to receive TCHATT services, but an MOU has not yet been initiated.

  • Inactive - The school previously participated in TCHATT but no longer receives services.

  • Declined / Unresponsive - The school or district has declined services or has not responded to outreach.

School districts that wish to change their TCHATT status should contact their local team or email us at: tcmhcc@utsystem.edu.

Important Program Basics

  • Sessions must take place in a quiet, private space with internet access.

  • A parent or guardian must participate in the initial assessment.

  • TCHATT is not for active crises.

    Students with active self-harm plans or attempts require immediate attention through the school’s crisis response protocol.

How Does TCHATT Work?

  1. 1

    Identify a student

    who needs mental health support.

  2. 2

    Begin the referral process

    Notify the student’s school counselor/designated TCHATT liaison.

  3. 3

    School liaison obtains parent/guardian consent

    to submit the referral and collects basic referral information.

  4. 4

    School liaison submits referral

    via TCHATT portal.

  5. 5

    TCHATT obtains written parent/guardian consent

    to provide services.

  6. 6

    Licensed TCHATT clinician provides a virtual assessment

    with student and family.

  7. 7

    Possible services:

    • Student has focused, virtual sessions with TCHATT clinician.
    • TCHATT may connect the family to additional community services if needed.

Why TCHATT?

African American female student studying from home during lockdown

  • Students with mental health care often do better in school, have more self-confidence, and learn to handle stress, anxiety, tough feelings, and other challenges.

  • We provide timely access to licensed mental health clinicians in the school setting, allowing students to receive care without leaving campus.

  • TCHATT supports early identification and intervention.

  • The virtual format reduces barriers for families who may struggle to find or travel to mental health services.

  • Anchored in regional health-related institutions (HRIs) across the state, TCHATT strengthens the system of care for children and adolescents across Texas.

Resources for School Counselors and School Staff

Program Materials for Schools

Explore TCHATT program flyers, FAQs, & information for school counselors and liaisons to use with students and parents/guardians.

TCHATT Resources

Sample Program Consent Forms

View a sample TCHATT services consent form for parents/caregivers. (Your local HRI team will provide official enrollment forms.)

View Sample Form

Curated Clinical Resources

Contact your local HRI team directly for vetted, personalized resources about student mental health and the TCHATT program. We have curated an extensive library of the latest, evidence-based materials. 

Contact Your Local Team

  • Our Key Collaborators

    TCHATT is grateful for our collaboration with the Texas Education Agency, Education Service Centers across the state, and local collaborators including school districts working to change the system of mental health care in Texas with us.

Mother trying to talk with doctor on laptop while watching two kids staying home. Homeschooling and distance learning

TCHATT operates within a statewide network of experts from 12 health-related institutions (HRIs) across Texas who are building capacity, developing best practices, and training the next generation of clinicians.

TCMHCC