Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom: How CHAMP Helps Families Access Mental Health and Substance Use Care
In Recognition of National School Counseling Week: Feb. 2-6, 2026
National School Counseling Week is a time to celebrate the role school counselors play in supporting students’ academic success, emotional well-being, and overall development. Every day, school counselors serve as trusted advocates for children and families navigating academic pressures, mental health challenges, and complex social needs. Their work often extends far beyond the classroom, especially when students and families are struggling to access mental health or substance use disorder services.
At CHAMP, we recognize that school counselors are often the first to identify when a student or family needs additional support. That’s where we come in.
Who We Are
The Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP) is New York State’s independent health insurance ombudsman program for mental health and substance use disorder care. CHAMP is a joint initiative of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
Our mission is simple but powerful: to remove insurance barriers to lifesaving mental health and substance use treatment. Through direct assistance, education, and outreach, CHAMP helps individuals and families understand their insurance coverage, resolve denials, and access the care they need.
Why CHAMP Matters for Students and Families
Children and adolescents today are facing unprecedented mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use concerns. School counselors often witness these struggles firsthand, yet families may feel overwhelmed when trying to navigate the behavioral health system. CHAMP helps bridge that gap.
We support families by:
Explaining insurance benefits for mental health and substance use treatment
Assisting with denied or delayed claims, prior authorizations, and coverage disputes for mental health and substance use treatment
Helping families find in-network providers for therapy, psychiatry, and higher levels of care
Clarifying rights under state and federal mental health parity laws
For families already under stress, insurance barriers can feel overwhelming. CHAMP helps remove those obstacles so children can access care without unnecessary delays.
Our Commitment to New York Families
In Western New York, CHAMP is supported by community partners like the Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ), where Frances, our program coordinator, works as part of the CHAMP network. Through CELJ, we provide direct assistance to individuals and families navigating insurance barriers to mental health and substance use care, including help with denials, appeals, and understanding coverage options. As a CHAMP resource, CELJ helps connect Western New York families to advocacy and support so they can access timely, appropriate care. Our goal is to make the insurance process less overwhelming and ensure that students, caregivers, and loved ones don’t have to face these challenges alone.
This National School Counseling Week
As we recognize National School Counseling Week, we want to thank school counselors for the critical role they play in supporting student's well-being, advocating for mental health, and connecting families to care.
If you are a school counselor, educator, parent, or caregiver who needs help navigating mental health or substance use insurance coverage, CHAMP is here to help.
Together, we can make sure every child and family has access to the care they deserve.
Our CHAMP program coordinator, Frances, can be reached via phone at 716-853-3087 ext. 311 or by email fwallace@elderjusticeny.org with any questions about how CHAMP can help you or your loved ones or to simply get connected.