News

Iowa Choice Charter School Pioneers AI-Powered Mental Wellness Support Through Groundbreaking Brightn Partnership

Carson Goodale

January 15, 2026

•

3 min read

Iowa Choice Charter School announces a first-of-its-kind partnership with Cedar Rapids-based mental wellness platform Brightn, introducing artificial intelligence-powered mental health support for its growing student population. This innovative collaboration marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for accessible mental health resources in educational settings.

The partnership will provide Iowa Choice Charter School's 308 students with personalized mental wellness tools powered by advanced AI technology, integrating seamlessly with the school's existing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Initial rollout begins March 3rd, with full implementation planned to support an anticipated enrollment of 350 students by year-end.

"Today's students face unprecedented mental health challenges that directly impact their academic success and overall well-being," said Dr. Cynthia Knight, CEO and Founder of Iowa Choice Charter School. "By integrating Brightn's innovative platform with our existing support systems, we're empowering students with personalized tools that promote both emotional wellness and essential life skills."

The platform's comprehensive approach aligns with Iowa's state requirements for financial literacy education while addressing crucial mental health needs. Key features include:

Personalized AI-powered journaling with sentiment analysis
Real-time mood tracking and wellness insights
Interactive financial literacy modules
Secure progress monitoring and analytics
Customized resource recommendations

Jeffrey Johnston, CEO and Founder of Brightn, emphasized the platform's preventative approach: "Mental wellness should be as routine as physical education in our schools. Our partnership with Iowa Choice Charter School demonstrates how technology can make mental health support more accessible and engaging for students while providing educators with valuable insights to better support their students' needs."

Early data from Brightn's platform shows promising results, with users reporting significant improvements in mental well-being after 30 days of consistent engagement. The platform's emphasis on privacy and security ensures student data protection while providing aggregated insights to measure program effectiveness.

"This partnership represents a significant evolution in how schools can support student mental health," added Dr. Knight. "The combination of AI-powered tools and human support creates a comprehensive safety net for our students while providing valuable data to enhance our support systems."

‍

About Iowa Choice Charter School

Iowa Choice Charter School leads the way in innovative, student-centered education that nurtures the whole child. With a growing student population and forward-thinking approach, the school continuously pioneers new methods to support student success and well-being. Learn more at https://choicecharterschool.org/.

About Brightn

Founded in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Brightn transforms mental wellness support through AI-powered technology and personalized planning. The platform focuses on making mental wellness accessible and engaging, helping users achieve balance in health, wealth, and purpose. Visit www.brightn.app for more information.

Link to Official Press Release

Media Kit: Link to downloadable media assets

Instagram: @Brightn_App | @IowaChoiceCharterSchool

Ready to take charge of your mental wellness? Try Brightn free today.

‍

Expert Insights on mental health

View all

Blogs

5 min read

Why Employees Don't Use Their Mental Health Benefits (Even When They Want To)

The gap between an employee wanting mental health support and actually getting it isn't about willingness — it's about what happens in between. Long insurance waits, prior authorization delays, and benefits designed only for people already in crisis mean most employer mental health support competes with the exact friction that stops people from using it. Traditional EAP utilization sits at just 2–5%, and only 53% of employees even know how to access their mental health benefits. This post breaks down why workplace mental health support fails at the moment that matters most — and what changes when a mental wellness app is already part of an employee's daily routine before a hard season hits.

Podcast

6 min read

S2E9: Recovery, Homelessness & Finding Purpose in the Las Vegas Tunnels with Robert Banghart

In this episode of the Living Undeterred Podcast, Jeff Johnston sits down with Robert Banghart, a recovery advocate and nonprofit leader in Las Vegas. Robert shares his journey through addiction, homelessness, life in the Las Vegas tunnel system, long-term recovery, harm reduction, and his work with Shine a Light Foundation, Crossroads of Southern Nevada, and Narcan at Night.

Podcast

5 min read

S2E8: From Courtrooms to Crisis: Mark Astor on Fixing a Broken Mental Health System

In this episode of the Living Undeterred Podcast, Jeff Johnston speaks with attorney Mark G. Astor, Esq. about addiction, mental health law, the Baker Act, guardianship, family crisis planning, and the gaps between the criminal justice and mental health systems. Mark shares how his legal career evolved from prosecution to helping families navigate behavioral health crises, while Jeff reflects on his experience with his son Seth and the need for stronger support before crisis occurs. The conversation explores recovery, stigma, youth mental health, social media, medication culture, legal options for families, and the importance of moving mental wellness further upstream through prevention, planning, and compassionate care.