Care Programs
Targeted Clinical Support That Builds on What Schools Already Do
Cartwheel’s Care Programs are organized around the challenges schools and families are already navigating, making it easier to match what you’re seeing in a student to the right support.
Talk with Our TeamParent or caregiver? See if Cartwheel partners with your district
Three Care Programs. One Way to Match What You’re Seeing to the Right Support.
Care Programs are organized around challenges schools and families already recognize. A concern can be the starting point for a referral.
- Difficulty getting to school, such as physical complaints, emotional meltdowns, or reluctance to leave home
- Frequent nurse visits, tardiness, or avoiding certain classes
- Anxiety about attending school or specific classes
- Screen or social media use affecting sleep, focus, mood, or relationships
- Anxiety, distress, or conflict related to devices or online interactions
- Withdrawal from in-person friendships, activities, or school engagement
- Frequent outbursts or strong reactions that are hard to move through
- Difficulty calming down or handling frustration
- Escalating conflicts with peers, caregivers, or school staff
Not sure which program fits? Refer anyway. Concerns often overlap, and you don’t need to untangle them before referring. Note the closest program or describe what you’re seeing, and Cartwheel’s clinical team will help determine the right support. Students don’t need to fit a Care Program to receive Cartwheel care.
All Care Programs are available across grade levels. For younger students, care emphasizes parent guidance and caregiver involvement.
Care Programs Build on Cartwheel’s Core Care Model
Every student receives Cartwheel’s core care, with added structure around the concern that brought them in.
- 1:1 evidence-based therapy with Cartwheel clinicians
- Parent guidance and family therapy, based on the student’s needs
- Psychiatry and medication management when appropriate, with coordination across the student’s care team
- A Care Coordinator who helps families with scheduling and insurance
- Telehealth from school or home, weekdays 8am–8pm plus weekends
- Targeted screening alongside broader clinical assessment, to understand what may be driving the challenge and track progress over time. Screening informs care; it is not a diagnosis.
- Tracking of symptoms and daily functioning, such as attendance, sleep, and conflict
- Optional, no-cost caregiver education
- Ongoing school collaboration for consistent strategies across settings, within existing communication and privacy practices
- Appropriate updates to school teams on engagement and progress
Same referral pathway. No additional district cost for Care Programs.
How It Works
Refer a student. School staff submit a referral through the Cartwheel portal and can note the closest Care Program or describe the concern. Families can complete the family interest form, which the school team reviews.
Care Coordinator reaches out. Within 24 hours of referral, a Cartwheel Care Coordinator reaches out to the family to welcome them, collect insurance information, and schedule the first session.
Care begins. The first therapy appointment is typically scheduled within 7–10 days of referral, and screening begins at the start of care.
Support alongside care. Caregivers can use optional caregiver education and parent guidance alongside sessions.
Progress and updates. Clinicians and families set meaningful goals, such as better sleep, fewer conflicts, or calmer responses to frustration. Screening continues to track progress, and school teams receive updates through the portal.
Get Started.
Care Programs are available through school districts that partner with Cartwheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Care Programs different from the support schools already provide?
Is there any extra cost or a separate process to refer into a Care Program?
How do I know which program to choose?
Are these programs available for younger students?
How will I know where my referral stands?
What if a family doesn’t want to participate in the program or caregiver sessions?
What can the school see about a student’s progress?
Explore resources on student wellbeing
Free webinars, guides, and on-demand video resources to support students, families and school staff.
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