Chill Mobile RV headed to Deer Lakes' East Union Intermediate School

The Chill Mobile will be coming to Deer Lakes.

The program, sponsored by Allegheny Health Network and Pirates Charities, will make stops at Deer Lakes’ East Union Intermediate School this year.

The customized RV travels to school districts across the Pittsburgh area. Behavioral health specialists from AHN teach students skills for how to identify and react positively to stress.

The school board on Tuesday approved the behavioral health services agreement with Chill Mobile for just under $17,000 . It will be paid through a mental health and safety grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

“Everyone feels stress and anxiety at some point, and it’s important to provide every resource available to our students to support them in their moments of need,” said Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden. “We look forward to welcoming the Chill Mobile as another tool in our toolbox to support students.”

The program also exists in the New Kensington-Arnold School District.

East Union Principal Jodi VanderSchaaff said she learned of the program through speech language pathologist Lori Crawford, who helps run an All-Abilities baseball program at the district. The all-abilities team was recognized at a Pirates game this summer, which is where Crawford learned of the Chill Mobile.

“I love how it came about organically through another good deed,” VanderSchaaff said.

VanderSchaaff said she then contacted AHN to learn more about the program, which was appealing to her.

Deer Lakes works hard to be aware of students’ needs, not just academically, but also behaviorally, socially and emotionally, VanderSchaaff said.

Having the program will teach students to positively manage themselves when they get overwhelmed, which in turn will give them the ability to stay engaged in learning, she said.

It also provides for professional development for school staff.

AHN reports that schools involved with the project report a reduced number of behavioral health incidents for students and more access to resources and professional quality of life for teachers and students’ families.

Both school staff and students are excited for the program, VanderSchaaff said. A kickoff, featuring representatives from the Pirates and Allegheny Health Network, is set for Dec. 4 at East Union.

The mobile will be at the school for one week in December, February and May.

“We’re looking forward to kicking that off,” VanderSchaaff said.