Systems/Structures to support efforts

School Behavioral Health Team Readiness

This course will help school administrators and mental health staff understand the history of behavioral health teams (BHT) and how this teaming structure can help support mental health concerns. Explore how BHT aligns with the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and other frameworks and reflect on current systems related to the role of school leaders, school-level teams, mental health supports, and partnerships with community-based providers. Then, get a team together and plan for the next steps needed to get your school ready for a BHT.

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Action Planning Facilitator Guide

This guide will take you through the REACH process for your action planning. Specifically, it will provide your school team with tools and resources for developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving resilience-supportive policies, processes and practices.

REACH is a model for creating positive change in schools that consists of four steps: school team formation, evidence-based assessment, action planning, and implementation support. Initially focused exclusively on Trauma-Responsiveness and Healing-Centeredness, REACH has expanded to also include three additional pillars: Mental Health; Social and Emotional Learning; and CARE (Cultural Awareness, Responsiveness and Equity).

Schools play a central and critical role in helping students build their capacity to cope with stress and life problems – in other words, resilience. Research shows that the majority of students experiencing mental health challenges receive the help they need from staff in their school. When they feel safe and supported, students have more capacity to be creative, innovative and open to learning.

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CARE Assessment Facilitator Guide

This is a complementary guide to the Culturally Responsive, Anti-Racist, and Equitable (CARE) assessment, walking teams through the assessment process. The CARE school assessment tool is designed to be completed by a school team, whether an existing or newly formed one. Note: The scoring for this assessment will be through the SHAPE system. Final scores should also be added to the RSSI app.

Facilitation of the CARE school assessment process can be led by school or district personnel. Support is also available through RSSI in collaboration with statewide partners and Social-Emotional Learning Hub coaches. Teams are encouraged to reach out if external facilitation would support their reflection or planning efforts.

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School Mental Health Quality Assessment (SMHQA) Guide

This is a complementary guide to completing the School Mental Health Quality Assessment (SMHQA) assessment tool, which is a starting point in supporting schools and districts in creating a safe and supportive school environment. Indicators guide how schools may demonstrate success in each area within the seven domains of SMHQA. The examples are a guide and can be used as a starting point for quality improvement initiatives. Overall, the assessment tool provides suggestions for action planning that can be adjusted to meet the needs of the school and/or district using it. Resources to further support action planning can be found through the RSSI and SHAPE systems as well as the Action Plan Facilitator Guide.

The SMHQA is designed for teams to assess the comprehensiveness of their school mental health system and to identify priority areas for improvement. The Assessment is composed of seven domains (Teaming, Needs Assessment/Resource Mapping, Screening, Mental Health Promotion, Early Intervention and Treatment, Funding and Sustainability, Impact).

*Note that there are two versions of the SMHQA: one for schools and one for districts. Please access the assessment that makes sense for your work.

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Building a Trans Inclusive School Environment

Transphobia, or discrimination against transgender people, can and does occur in spaces where youth deserve to feel safe and included, such as school. School staff are responsible for fostering a school climate that supports learning and healthy development. Research shows that a student’s sense of belonging improves academic outcomes, increases continuing enrollment, and protects mental health.

This course provides steps you can take to help make your school more safe and inclusive.

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How to Promote Collective Staff Well-being

By understanding the warning signs of burnout, promoting collaboration and collective efficacy, and upholding a work culture that destigmatizes teacher health challenges, districts can promote a positive school climate and increase staff retention. This article describes how to identify teacher burnout and promote collective school staff well-being to increase professional retention and student achievement.

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HR Toolkit for Racial Equity

This resource comes from W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s work that includes recommended tools and resources for implementing racial equity strategies as part of a human resources function. This resource can be valuable to human resources and culture and equity professionals. It may also be useful to any leader doing internal organizational transformation work in school communities.

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Creating Identity-Safe Schools and Classrooms

This research report addresses the ways in which practitioners can build inclusive and affirming school environments with keen attention to identity safety that can support all students in feeling safe, protected, and valued in school environments. A growing body of research points to effective school-based practices and structures, described below, that educators can use to foster the identity safety that nurtures student achievement, positive attachments to school, and a genuine sense of belonging and membership for each student.

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