A student is missing more school. A parent describes constant battles over devices. A teen is overwhelmed, getting into conflicts, or shutting down.

You recognize a concern—but you may not know what’s behind it or what support would help. Cartwheel’s Care Programs give schools and families a clearer starting point, with care organized around three common challenges: School Avoidance, Screens & Social Media, and Big Behaviors, Big Feelings.

Here’s what the programs offer, who might benefit, and what’s easier about connecting families with care.

What is a Care Program?

Care Programs offer an expanded way for schools and families to connect with Cartwheel’s mental health support, centered around familiar challenges at home and at school. Starting with those concerns can make it easier for families to understand how care could help and take that first step.

Each program builds on Cartwheel’s comprehensive care model. Students and caregivers meet virtually with a clinician to work on practical changes that help at home and at school, with the addition of targeted screening and caregiver support focused on the concern that led to the referral.

What stays the same

• Care tailored to the family: Services may include individual student therapy, parent guidance, family therapy, or psychiatry, based on clinical needs.
• Support across grade levels: For pre-K–2, care focuses on working with parents and caregivers rather than individual student therapy.
• Approach to length of care: Programs follow Cartwheel’s standard care model and treatment checkpoints.
• School collaboration: Clinicians continue working with school teams within existing consent and privacy practices.
• Referral pathway and district cost: Use the same referral process. Care Programs are included in existing partnerships at no additional district cost.

What Care Programs add

• Targeted screening to better understand the specific concern and inform care.
• Parent guidance focused on that concern, with practical strategies caregivers can use at home.
• Additional caregiver education: Free, optional virtual groups are in development, offering another way for parents to learn strategies and connect with others alongside their family’s care.

As care progresses, clinicians follow screening results and changes in daily life—such as whether attendance is more consistent, sleep is improving, or emotional overwhelm is becoming easier to manage.

Who might benefit?

School Avoidance

The School Avoidance Program supports students struggling to attend or stay in school because of anxiety, stress, or other emotional concerns.

You might notice:

• Repeatedly missed first periods or late arrivals
• Frequent requests to leave class or visit the nurse
• An increasing number of missed school days

Cartwheel works with you and the family to understand what makes school difficult and build skills for students and caregivers to help interrupt the avoidance cycle.

Consider support before a student stops attending entirely. Students with more established attendance difficulties can also be referred.

Screens & Social Media

The Screens & Social Media Program supports students whose experiences with screens and technology are negatively affecting their mental health or daily life.

You might notice or hear about:

• Students arriving tired after late-night device use or struggling to focus and engage in class
• Online conflict or social media stress affecting relationships
• Families reporting device battles, difficulty disconnecting, or concerns about unsafe use

Cartwheel explores what’s behind these struggles, addresses related mental health needs, and helps students and parents make practical changes—from better sleep and less conflict to healthier digital habits and engagement at school.

You don’t need the full picture to consider a referral. Much of this happens outside school. You can share the pieces you know, and Cartwheel will explore the concern with the student and family.

Big Behaviors, Big Feelings

The Big Behaviors, Big Feelings Program supports students whose emotions or behaviors are getting in the way of learning, relationships, or everyday routines.

You might notice or hear about:

• A younger student becoming overwhelmed during transitions or having difficulty calming down
• An older student having recurring conflicts with peers or adults, struggling to manage frustration, or shutting down during difficult schoolwork
• Parents describing outbursts or emotional struggles at home that aren’t as visible at school

Cartwheel helps students build skills to manage strong emotions and supports caregivers with ways to respond and reduce escalation.

Think about students who get overwhelmed or withdraw, as well as those who act out.

Same referral pathway, less back and forth

You’ll still refer through the Cartwheel portal, and families can still raise their hand through the family interest form, which connects them with their school’s referral process. What’s changed is how easy it is to take the next steps.

The shorter referral form asks for the essentials needed to connect a family with care. If your school offers in-school sessions, you can also share when the student is available—so families can book a time that works without extra scheduling emails.

Once you’ve referred, you can check the portal to see where things stand. When help from your team could move things forward, such as reaching a family we haven’t connected with, you’ll see a request under Team Action Items.

More choice and flexibility for families

Families can check insurance coverage, read clinician bios, see available appointment times, and book a first meeting. Those who are uninsured or underinsured can explore available financial assistance options with Cartwheel.

The updated experience gives families more flexibility:

• Choose a clinician and time: About three-quarters of families schedule without needing to go back and forth with a care coordinator. Busy caregivers can take that step when it works for them.
• Book an intake that fits: The first appointment can happen at a different time from ongoing therapy appointments, helping families get started even when their preferred regular time doesn’t work for the first meeting.
• Talk with someone: Families who prefer a conversation can connect directly with Cartwheel’s care coordination team for help.

Families can use online scheduling or get personal support—whichever is more helpful for them.

You don’t need to have it all figured out

A student may seem to fit several Care Programs—or none of them. You don’t need to identify a diagnosis, establish the cause, or choose the right program before referring. Share what you’re seeing or hearing, and Cartwheel will work with the family to understand their needs and recommend support.

Please consider referring early, before concerns become more difficult. And keep referring for the full range of concerns Cartwheel supports, including students who have been struggling for some time.

Questions about a referral? Contact your district’s Customer Success Manager, listed in the portal. You’ll also find self-service resources there.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping students and families connect with care.

Refer a student

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