Advancing School Mental Health in Georgia

Mark D. Weist, Ph.D.Department of Psychology, USC

May 7, 2015

Center for School Mental Health* University of Maryland School of Medicinehttp://csmh.umaryland.edu*Supported by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of HRSA and numerous Maryland agencies

“Expanded” School Mental HealthFull continuum of effective mental health promotion

and intervention for students in general and special education

Reflecting a “shared agenda” involving school-family-community system partnerships

Collaborating community professionals (not outsiders) augment the work of school-employed staff

School Mental Health (SMH) MH vs Clinics Catron, Harris & Weiss (1998)96% offered SMH received13% for clinics

SMH vs Clinics 2Atkins et al. (2006)80% enrolled in SMH vs 54% in clinicsAt 3-month follow-up, 100% retained in schools, 0%

in clinics

AdvantagesImproved accessImproved early identification/interventionReduced barriers to learning, and achievement of

valued outcomesWHEN DONE WELL

ButSMH programs and services continue to develop in an

ad hoc manner, andLACK AN IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (www.pbis.org)In 18,000 plus schoolsDecision making framework to guide selection and

implementation of best practices for improving academic and behavioral functioningData based decision makingMeasurable outcomesEvidence-based practicesSystems to support effective implementation

AdvantagesPromotes effective decision makingReduces punitive approachesImproves student behaviorImproves student academic performanceWHEN DONE WELL

ButMany schools implementing PBIS lack resources and

struggle to implement effective interventions at Tiers 2 and 3

Key RationalePBIS and SMH systems are operating separatelyResults in ad hoc, disorganized delivery of SMH and

contributes to lack of depth in programs at Tiers 2 and 3 for PBIS

By joining together synergies are unleashed and the likelihood of achieving depth and quality in programs at all three tiers is greatly enhanced

LOGIC • Effective academic performance promotes

student mental health and effective mental health promotes student academic performance. The same integration is required in our systems

Not two, but one

Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) for SMH-PBISStrategy for interconnection of two systems

across multiple tiersEmphasizes state teams working with district

teams and schools, and strong team planning and actions at each tier

Two national centers (for SMH and PBIS) and a number of states involved

Numerous training events and a recent monograph completed

ISF DefinedA strong, committed and functional team

guides the work, using data at three tiers of intervention

Sub-teams having “conversations” and conducting planning at each tier

Evidence-based practices and programs are integrated at each tier

SYMMETRY IN PROCESSES AT STATE, DISTRICT AND BUILDING LEVELS

ISF, Indicators of Team FunctioningStrong leadership Good meeting attendance, agendas and meeting

managementOpportunities for all to participateTaking and maintaining of notes and the sense of

history playing outClear action planningSystematic follow-up on action planning

Team Members

*School psychologist*Collaborating

community mental health professional

School counselorSpecial educator

*co-leaders

Assistant principalSchool nurseGeneral educatorParentParent(Older student)

A National Community of Practice (COP); www.sharedwork.orgCSMH and IDEA Partnership providing support30 professional organizations and 16 states12 practice groupsProviding mutual support, opportunities for dialogue

and collaboration

Sixteen StatesHawaiiIllinoisNew HampshireNorth CarolinaMarylandMinnesotaMissouriMontana

New MexicoOhioPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaUtahVermontWest Virginia

scsbhc@gmail.comwww.sharedwork.org/web/sc

T: (803) 777-0449F: (803) 777-9558

The mission of the SC School Behavioral Health Community is to promote student academic and personal success by reducing barriers to learning

and supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all youth and families in South

Carolina

Our Goals

In partnership with S.C. schools, families and youth-serving systems and organizations, the SCSBHC seeks to:1.Build communication and collaboration with community members and stakeholders2.Promote adoption and sustained implementation of school behavioral health practices3.Advance training, technical assistance and coaching4.Build collaboration nationally and with other states to promote shared agenda5.Build university partnerships and advance research and scholarship

PBIS/SMH in Montana

The 9th World Congress on the Promotion of Mental Health and the 

Prevention of Mental and Behavioural Disorders 

“Global Knowledge for Local Change” 

September 9-11, 2015Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Featured keynote presenters:

Catherine Bradshaw, Ph.D., M.Ed.

University of Virginia“Preventing Behavior and Mental Health 

Problems through Improved School Climate”

Vani Jain, M.Ed. J.W. McConnell Family Foundation“Social Labs: An Innovative Approach to Help Advance School Mental Health”

Ian Manion, Ph.D.Ontario Centre of Excellence 

for Child and Youth Mental Health“Effective Mental Health Promotion through 

Meaningful Youth Engagement”

Don Wetzel, Jr., M.A. American Indian Youth Development CoordinatorMontana Office of Public Instruction“Mental Health Promotion in Indian Country” 

The Congress will focus on international research in the areas of:

1.Integrated Health2.Positive Psychology3.School Mental Health4.Social and Technological Innovation5.Underserved Populations6.Well-being 

VISIT US ON THE WEB!mhworldcongress2015.org

Contact Information:

Clifford Beers Initiative at the University of South Carolinamhworldcongress2015@gmail.com

(803) 777-0449

Contact InformationDepartment of Psychology University of South Carolina 1512 Pendleton St., Room 237DColumbia, SC 29208Ph: 803 777 8438 weist@mailbox.sc.edu