
Hall County Schools and the Howard E. Ivester Early College have partnered to establish the Ivester House to support the social and emotional needs of students and families in the community. The entities will partner with Brenau University’s Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling to provide counseling services.
Joey Millwood, director of student services for Hall County Schools, said he is excited about the impact the partnership will have on the community.
“As the mental and emotional wellness of our students continues to be an increasing priority, this partnership is an incredible opportunity to provide vital support,” Millwood said. “The collaboration between Hall County Schools, Ivester House, and Brenau University will create a holistic approach to supporting the mental health needs of our community, ensuring students and their families have access to the resources and care they need. By working together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our students, providing them with the support they need to succeed and build resilience in the face of life’s challenges.”
The Ivester House will open in February and occupy an office in Chicopee Village. It will provide the opportunity for free or sliding scale mental and emotional health counseling for students and their families in the Hall County School System, Brenau, and the Chicopee Village community.
“The Ivester House will provide psychoeducational, therapy, and assessment services while reducing the barriers and increasing accessibility of these services for students, families, staff and teachers,” said Gale Starich, dean of Brenau’s Sidney O. Smith Jr. Graduate School and Ivester College of Health Sciences. “Services will be provided by our doctoral and master’s students in the Darby School who are training to be therapists and psychologists under the supervision of licensed clinicians.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Brenau’s main Gainesville clinic number 770-297-5959.