Systems/Structures to support efforts

School Mental Health Screening Part I: Benefits and Cautions of Universal Mental Health Screening

Universal screening has improved the physical outcomes for millions of children who get routine dental and eye exams at their school buildings each year. Screening for mental health issues in schools has become a topic of discussion for many district leaders. Will the benefits of identifying students most at-risk of physical health problems translate when those difficulties are in the mental health realm? The answer is complicated.

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School Climate; Culturally responsive, anti-racist and equitable schools (CARE) – RSSI Investing Playlist

In a culturally responsive school or district, students’, families’, and educators’ cultures are included in all aspects of supports and services that promote well-being and mental health. Anti-racist policies and practices promote equity and oppose racism and other forms of oppression. Equitable schools and districts provide the climate and resources that enable all students and educators to perform at their highest level. Culturally responsive, anti-racist and equitable (CARE) schools and districts embrace cultural differences and assets; use cultural knowledge to promote wellness and academic success; mediate power imbalances based on cultural identities; and work to dismantle systems of injustice.

The resources in this learning playlist focus on building a positive school climate and are recommended for schools or districts that have already done work in this area and want to continue to move it forward. 

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Advancing Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems: Guidance from the Field

Comprehensive school mental health systems provide an array of supports and services that promote positive school climate, social and emotional learning, and mental health and well-being, while reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness. This 2019 guide from National Center for School Mental Health offers collective insight and guidance to local communities and states to advance comprehensive school mental health systems. Contents were informed by examination of national best practices and performance standards, local and state exemplars, and recommendations provided by federal/national, state, local and private leaders.

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Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model: Case Example

Read about The BHS department is comprised of over 100 school psychologists and over 50 graduate students, which support all BPS schools to provide student-level services (e.g. counseling & interventions) and systems-level services (e.g. climate team facilitation). Every child experiences a pro-social curriculum as part of their classroom and school experience. Teachers periodically review each of their students’ behavioral health strengths and needs. Students in need of additional support are provided appropriate services in a timely fashion. Teams of teachers and administrators review student behavioral health data and process on a regular basis. Community partners, families, and school personnel meet periodically and are in consistent communication about children who are receiving support.
This work is aligned with NASP Practice Model.

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Teaming Guide for School Mental Health

A school mental health team is a group of school and community stakeholders at the school-or district-level that meets regularly, uses data-based decision making, and relies on action planning to support student mental health. This guide contains background information on teaming, best practices, possible action steps, examples from the field, and resources.

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Exploring Equity Issues: Introduction to Trauma-Informed Classrooms: Inclusive Learning Strategies for Educators

Trauma is an issue of equity: it impedes educational attainment on its own, and disproportionately targets students of color, students with disabilities, those living in poverty, LGBTQ+ students, and others who experience marginalization. Supporting young people’s right to full learning requires a foundational shift in the way we view difficult classroom behaviors and learning struggles. This article outlines key points and activities to consider when building trauma informed classroom that include inclusive learning strategies for educators.

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Developing a Comprehensive Mental Health Program in Your School Community

This course from American Institutes of Reseach explains how school mental health supports and services work to address social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that interfere with learning should provide individual, family, and group counseling, consultation for school staff, and mental health promotion and prevention programming. Includes information on: best practices for building partnerships and collaboration; shared leadership teams; youth, family and community engagement; evidence-based programs, evaluation and outcomes.

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Educating the Whole Child: Improving School Climate to Support Student Success

This brief reviews research demonstrating that student learning and development depend on affirming relationships operating within a positive school climate. It describes how such an environment can provide all children with a sense of safety and belonging by creating safe and culturally responsive classroom communities, connecting with families, teaching social-emotional skills, helping students learn to learn, and offering a multi-tiered system of supports.

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The purpose of this document is to lay out what a possible timeline could look like for the Universal Screening process and who might need to be involved with each step. Considerations are made for professional development and communication necessary for the transparent delivery of a Universal Screener that stakeholders support and the results in more youth being supported by appropriate interventions.

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