Ardis Schmiege, Superintendent/CEO of Stilly Valley Health Connections – Public Hospital District #3, received the WASA Community Leadership Award from Arlington Public Schools.
At the WASA Sno-Isle 109 Regional Awards Recognition Event held on May 16th, Arlington Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Chyrs Sweeting, shared the following.
“Arlington School District is pleased to honor Ardis Schmiege, Superintendent/CEO of Stilly Valley Health Connections – Public Hospital District #3, as the recipient of the WASA District Community Leadership Award. This year, Ardis’ amazing leadership, commitment and vision helped to launch a new Coalition that supports healthier and more resilient youth in Arlington. The coalition is a coordinated effort between Stilly Valley Health Connections, Arlington Public Schools, and other community organizations to work collaboratively to address youth substance abuse, misuse, and prevention.”
“Ardis has also helped to bring mental health professionals into our schools. She is an advocate for finding resources to support better mental health. She saw the need and acted by creating a partnership to implement viable solutions to help our students become healthier and more resilient! Ardis, you are a visionary leader acting every day to support Arlington students.”
Ardis expressed appreciation for the award, but stressed that the honor is only possible due to our collaboration with Arlington Public Schools, the support of the Board of Commissioners of Public Hospital District #3, and Patty Putnam, who was the first mental health counselor open to giving a day up of private practice to help pilot the mental health counseling program in the school district in 2018. She has been instrumental in the growth of the program since then.
Information from Arlington Public Schools. To read more, click: HERE
Photo Credit: Washington Association of School Administrators Region 109
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