ATLANTA Counselors & Social Workers

You spot it first. We take it from there.

Backpack partners with Atlanta Public schools to make sure a referral turns into real care — fast. This page covers what Backpack is, how to refer a student, how to loop in the family, and what to expect once you have.

Refer a student

How Backpack works

Licensed therapists & psychiatry

~3 days, referral to first session

Medicaid, MCOs & commercial accepted

New to Backpack?

What is Backpack?

Backpack Healthcare is a mental health practice. We provide therapy, psychiatry, and family support to students — at school, virtually, or both — and we bill insurance directly so cost isn't a reason care stalls.

One referral, a real appointment

You make the referral — we handle outreach, consent, and scheduling. No dead-end waitlists to explain to a family.

The whole family, included

When it helps the student, we can bring in caregivers too — so support doesn't stop at the school day.

No cost to your school

We bill Medicaid, MCOs, and majorcommercial plans directly. There's no district budget line or per-referral fee.

Full clinical scope

Everything a student might need.

One referral point covers all of it — you don't need to know which service fits before you refer. We figure that out with the family.

Individual therapy

Ongoing 1:1 sessions for anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, behavior, and more.

Family therapy

Sessions that bring in a parent or caregiver when home dynamics are part of the picture.

ADHD care

Structured support for diagnosis, IEP, or 504 conversation.

Virtual therapy

For schools without an on-site therapist, students are seen virtually before, after, or during a free period.

Caregiver workshops

Free, virtual, judgment-free sessions on anxiety, routines, transitions, and emotional regulation.

Bilingual care

Clinicians and materials available across 250+ languages, matched to what the family speaks at home.

Closed-loop updates

With appropriate consent, your Backpack contact keeps you posted so you can support the student at school too.

Not sure a referral is warranted, or want to talk it through first? Contact your Backpack team — you're always welcome to ask before submittinganything.

Making a referral

How to refer a student.

You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to refer — just a reason you think a student could use support. Here's what happens after you submit one.

1

Submit the referral

Visit hellobackpack.com/refer-a-patient and fill out a short form. It takes less then 5 minutes.

2

We reach the family

In less than 24 hours a Backpack team member contacts the parent or guardian directly to introduce care and answer questions.

3

Consent & matching

Once a caregiver consents, we match the student with a therapist who fits their needs, language, and schedule.

4

Care starts —
‍‍usually within days

The first session is typically booked within about three days of a completed referral.

Not sure a referral is warranted, or want to talk it through first? Contact your Backpack team — you're always welcome to ask before submittinganything.

Bringing it up with a family

How to talk with afamily about Backpack.

A referral often lands better when a family hears it from you first. A few things that help.

Framing that works

Lead with what you've noticed, not a diagnosis — you're flagging a pattern, not making a clinical call.

Name that it's already part of the school's partnership — Backpack is a service the family has access to, not an outside referral.

Reassure on cost early — Medicaid, MCOs, and most commercial plans are accepted, billed directly.

Be clear that nothing happens without their consent — Backpack won't contact the student without it.

Offer a parent one-pager (below) so they have something to reference after the conversation.

A simple way to open the conversation

You might say "I wanted to reach out because I've noticed [specific behavior/change] with [student]. Our school partners with Backpack Healthcare, who offer therapy and support at school or virtually. I think it could really help, and I wanted to see if you'd be open to a referral — nothing happens without your okay."

If they ask about cost "They accept Medicaid, Medicaid managed care plans, and most commercial insurance, and billdirectly — so it shouldn't be an out-of-pocket cost for you."

If they're hesitant "There's no obligation — someone from their team will just reach out to answer questions. You canalways say no."

After you submit a referral

You've referred a student — now what?

Here's what's happening on our end, and where you fit in while it does.

1

0–2 days: outreach

We reach out to the family within 1–2 business days. If wecan't reach them, we'll let you know so you can help close the loop.

2

~3 days: first
session booked

Once consent is given, most students are scheduled for a first session within about three days.

3

Ongoing: you‍
‍stay informed

With consent on file, your Backpack contact can share general updates so you can support the student day-to-day.

4

Anytime: check
on a referral

Haven't heard back, or need to flag something urgent? Reach your Backpack contact directly — don't wait for a scheduled update.

A referral isn't a handoff into a black box — if a student's situation changes or feels urgent, Contact your Backpack team directly rather thanwaiting on the usual timeline.

Contact your Backpack team

Here for your student services team.

Questions about a referral, a family conversation, or what's available at your school? Reach your Backpack team any time —you don't need to wait for a scheduled update.

Emailsupport@hellobackpack.com

Phone(866) 968-6342

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