Hastings Public Schools
8451 East Point Douglas Road
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 777-5222
(651) 251-5118 (fax)
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 200
1000 11TH STREET WEST
HASTINGS, MN 55033-2597
Phone (651) 480-7000
Fax (651) 480-7004
THERAPEUTIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP):
A Partnership between Canvas Health & District # 200:
The Therapeutic Assistance Program is a collaborative venture of ISD
200 and Canvas Health, Inc. The TAP therapist provides on-site
outpatient individual and family therapy to children from Hastings
Middle and High Schools that are referred by school staff. At present,
the TAP program provides services to Hastings High School and
Hastings Middle School. Christine Shuck is on-site 2.5 days per week at
each location (HMS & HHS).
We are hopeful of expanding the program next year with an additional
Canvas Health Therapist, to provide this service to elementary students
attending Hastings Public Schools
Christine Shuck, a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, is the TAP therapist serving HMS and HHS. Christine
gained valuable experience in providing a range of mental health services to children and families. These experiences
have included the provision of in-home skills and therapeutic services to 4-17 year old children with an
Emotional/Behavioral Disturbance and behavioral therapy to children with ASD. In her most recent experience, she
was the clinical lead mental health counselor with South Metro Human Services in St. Paul. In addition to this
valuable experience, Christine has a wonderful ability to form therapeutic relationships with children and their
families.
In addition to outpatient therapy, Christine can provide consultation to school personnel, collaboration with other
service providers, assistance to families in accessing other services and teacher/parent training related to mental health
issues.
The goals of the Therapeutic Assistance Program include:
 Students will have access to co-located or school-linked mental health services regardless of their ability to
pay for the service.
 Improve identification of mental health issues for students and strengthen school partnerships
 Increase accessibility for uninsured and underinsured students to mental health services
 Improve clinical and functional outcomes for students with a mental health diagnosis
Students may be receiving either general or special education. Services may be requested by parents or school staff
with parent permission. Services are provided in the school buildings throughout the school year. In the summer
months, clients are given the option of coming to the office or in some instances TAP staff goes to the home.
Services are primarily paid for through third party insurance billing. If the family has a high deductible or co-pay that
they are unable to afford, a grant through the Minnesota Department of Human Services can supplement the cost of
services. If a student has no insurance, the grant can provide funding while the TAP therapist assists the family in
finding insurance. The grant operates as a “secondary insurance” for services provided by TAP.