Allied Behavorial Health Services, Allison Peak Speaks Out Against News Media At Recent School Board Meeting

Allison Peak, Director of Allied Behavioral Health, recently sent a letter to members of the Jefferson County School Board and spoke publicly in the most recent meeting of the School Board regarding interviews by both the Jefferson County Post and the printed paper in Jefferson County. Peak contended that she was misrepresented by the printed paper and the interview was not represented in The Post. The information in question was the answer to questions posed by the Jefferson County Post regarding community concern about the philosophy of Allied Behavioral Health. Allied had information on their website and social media that appeared to point to LGBTQ+ focused therapy. Allied Behavioral Health currently has an office in every school in Jefferson County and provides mental health services to more than 700 Jefferson County elementary, middle and high school students.

The Jefferson County Post was contacted by several concerned citizens following the disclosure of their LGBTQ+ philosophies, the Gender Identity Unicorn which represents alternate genders that was a part of their social media and a “Why pronouns matter” link on their emails. In order obtain information for an article, The Jefferson County Post spoke to Peak a few weeks into the current semester. Peak offered very limited information and declined to answer all but a few question over the telephone. Instead the Director of Allied Behavioral Health requested that the Jefferson County Post present the questions via email so she could more fully answer. Specific questions that were declined were regarding ownership of Allied Behavioral Health, who is overseeing the therapy team which, according to their website, consists largely of employees who carry a MA or MS in Social Work and funding information.

Though the Jefferson County Post did submit the questions via email. The response failed to address the questions and, instead, was very general in nature and provided no real information. As the response of the email was not substantive the interviewer from the Jefferson County Post determined that there was not enough quality information provided to answer the questions that had precipitated the interview and, as such, did not print the quote provided via email.

A complete record of the email sent to Peak and response is below for reference:

___________________________

Allison,

Thank you for returning my call. Here is a list of questions that you requested I submit via email.

1.  Who owns Allied Behavioral Health Solutions?

2.  Is Jefferson City, TN a franchise or is it company owned?

3.  Who is the physician that oversees the Jefferson City, TN office?

4.  Is it common practice to include a link to “why pronouns matter” on your emails?

5.  LGBTQ, Transgender and Racial Inequalities are listed prominately on your introduction on your website and appear to be an emphasized point in your practice.  Is this a fair assessment?

6.  Can you provide funding information for Jefferson County Schools for the 2019-2020 school year and the services provided during that time?

7.  Do you provide services to Mountain View Youth Development?

8.  If you would like to provide a comment regarding the relationship between Allied and Jefferson County, TN Schools, we will gladly include it in the article.

Thank you for your time,

Kristin Depew, News Director
Jefferson County Post Newspaper

Hi Kristin,

Please find ABHS’ response below. Hope this finds you well,

Allied Behavioral Health Solutions has been honored to collaborate with Jefferson County Schools since the Fall of 2019. ABHS’ fiduciary relationship with Jefferson County is documented in contracts of record. ABHS serves more than 3,000 children, individuals, and families statewide each year. As an organization, we are dedicated to welcoming all who enter through our doors and walking alongside them in their identified goals of services. ABHS, in compliance with Tennessee state code and related policy, requires that all clients consent to services. For minor youth, including those served in partnership with Jefferson County Schools, this requires written consent by a legal guardian and active involvement by the guardian in those services. The collaboration with Jefferson County Schools allows students and families to access high-quality behavioral health counseling through removing barriers of transportation and the potential burden of copays or out-of-pocket fees.

 

Alison D. Peak LCSW, IMH-E

she/her/hers | Why Pronouns Matter

Executive Director

__________________________

Information provided in the phone interview indicated that Allied had 468 clients as of January but, according to numbers provided by Allied at the by most recent school board meeting, that number has increased substantially to more than 700 students. According to Director of Schools Arnold, Allied Behavioral Health is paid $100,000 per school semester via a grant to the Jefferson County Department of Education for a total of $200,000 per school year. Those funds are earmarked to pay student deductibles and co-pays for mental health services provided by Allied. The student’s private pay insurance or TennCare is billed for the remainder of the charge for services. The Director of Schools confirmed that Allied is a for profit business. They operate 4 locations, largely in the middle Tennessee area, however Jefferson County Schools is the only distract that has contracted with Allied for services. Recently Newport Grammar School has contracted for services.

Students are referred to Allied, who are provided office space in every school as a part of their contract, and if they receive services they are clients of Allied Behavioral Health. Around 26% of referrals come through special education and another 12% are through Department of Child Services. Almost 40% are self reported and the remaining 22% of referrals have not been identified. Allied lists Anxiety as its largest treatment area followed by Depression. They contend that threats to harm others or self are a very small part of their treatment area and that LGBTQ+ issues are most often linked to other mental health issues such as Depression or Anxiety. The confidentiality associated with mental health treatment extends to everyone outside the therapy session unless harm to self or others is a concern.