Transcript Behavioral Health Task Force - Pathways | The Official

How we are Addressing the Needs of our Students
Now and in the Future
COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON SUBSTANCE
ABUSE AND VIOLENCE
OCTOBER 18, 2011
Initiatives and Direction
 Partnership with Reading Police Department
 Updated Safety Plans and Coordinated Drills
 Revised Search and Seizure Policy
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Breathalyzers at School Events
 Engaged Community in Race to Nowhere
 Increased Social Emotional Curriculum in Schools
 Open Circle (K-5)
 Second Step and World of Difference (6-8)
 Cyberbullying and World of Difference (9-12)
Initiatives and Direction
 Review and Analyze Youth Risk Behavior Survey data
 Implemented Grade 9 Advisory at RMHS
 Hired Behavioral Health Coordinator
 Piloting Restructured School Psychologist Role
 Developed the Behavioral Health Task Force
FERPA
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
 Affords parents and students (when they turn 18) certain rights with respect to
the student’s education records.
 Student education records are considered confidential and may not be released
without the written consent of the parent or the student if they are over 18 years
of age.
 Student discipline is considered an educational record under FERPA
 Some information (called "Directory Information") can be released without the
parent's written permission. However, the parent may opt to consider this
information confidential as well.
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A playbill, showing a student’s role in a drama production
The annual yearbook
Honor roll or other recognition lists
Graduation programs
Sports activity sheets and rosters
 A school department employee only has access to student record information
for “legitimate educational need” only.
Behavioral Health
What is Behavioral Health?
The social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of
all students, including but not limited to students
with mental health needs. Behavioral health
concerns both the reduction of problem behaviors,
and the optimization of positive and productive
functioning.
Behavioral Health is Important
“Too many students with behavioral health
challenges are doing poorly in school. Some are
missing school, failing tests, falling behind, and
eventually dropping out. Others experience punitive
responses and are suspended or expelled in record
numbers. Research tells us that behavioral health is
intricately connected to academic, social, and
emotional success at school. Yet, the needs of
students with behavioral health challenges have
only recently gained state and national attention.”
Massachusetts DESE Behavioral Health and Public Schools Framework, 2009
Key Findings of Improved Behavioral Health
in Schools
 Improved academic achievement: Students in SEL programming
experienced significantly greater academic achievement than students
who do not receive SEL.
 Improved school attitudes and behaviors: SEL instilled greater
motivation to learn, a deeper commitment to school, increased time
devoted to schoolwork, better classroom behavior, and improved
attendance and graduation rates.
 Fewer negative behaviors: Among students receiving SEL
instruction, disruptive class behavior, noncompliance, aggression,
delinquent acts, and disciplinary referrals decreased significantly.
 Reduced emotional distress: Reports of student depression,
anxiety, stress, or social withdrawal significantly decreased among
students receiving SEL instruction.
Source: Durlak, J.A. Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, B.D., & Schellinger,
K.B. The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: A metaanalysis of school-based universal interventions (2010).
Purpose of Behavioral Health Task Force
 Continuation of Race to Nowhere discussions
 To assess the current behavioral health of our district
using the Behavioral Health Framework and
Assessment tool (DESE, 2009)
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Leadership
Professional Development
Access to Resources and Services
Academic and Non-Academic Services
Policies and Protocols
Collaboration with Families and Community
 To provide a list of recommendations that will be used
as a starting point for discussions with the community
Behavioral Health Task Force
 26 Teachers, Parents, Administrators, Community
 All Schools Represented
 Met 5 Times During Summer
Recommendations
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE
Leadership
 As a community, use the theme of supporting
the behavioral health of the whole child as an
overarching goal for all areas.
 Revise the mission, vision, and district
wide goals of the Reading Public Schools
to include and emphasize the behavioral health
of all students in all areas.
Professional Development
 Align professional development with the district and
school wide behavioral health goals. Use our school based
and community experts and resources to provide training, where
appropriate. Staff training needs to focus on the identification
and understanding of the social and emotional development of
students.
 Develop a robust data system that allows staff to easily
access pertinent student data in a confidential manner,
particularly during transition years.
 Include other community organizations (youth sports,
Reading Recreation, RCASA, and church youth groups) and
parents as participants in professional development
opportunities.
Access to Resources and Services
 Provide a fully integrated behavioral health
model so that all students have access to services
when needed.
 Develop and implement a plan to increase
building based clinical staff to improve access for
all students, families, and staff. As part of this plan,
examine current caseloads and restructure the roles of
our mental health and other student service staff in
order to provide equitable distribution of behavioral
health resources throughout the school district.
 Improve reentry plans for students at all levels
who have been out of school for a period of time. (i.e.
hospitalization, family death, illness)
Academic and Non-Academic Services
 Provide a social emotional curriculum as
part of every student’s schedule in grades
PreK-12. This includes, but is not limited to
Open Circle (Grades K-5), Second Step (6-8),
Advisory (Currently in Grade 9) and Wellness (912).
 Examine course offerings at all levels to
integrate strategies and practices
addressing the needs of the whole child.
Expand high school elective programs to offer
more engaging and relevant courses, including
Health and Wellness choices.
Academic and Non-Academic Services
 Educate high school parents and students
about making realistic choices for course
offerings that provide balance in their
lives, while preparing for post secondary
options. As part of this discussion, develop
guidelines on the number of AP courses a student
may take in a semester.
 Develop and implement a set of guidelines
at each level about homework. These
guidelines should include the purpose of
homework, estimated duration, support for
students who do not complete their homework,
and other factors.
School Policies, Procedures, and Protocols
 Review all policies, procedures, and protocols
regarding the behavioral health of students in all
areas.
 Develop a set of protocols and procedures for
early identification of student needs, regardless of
age.
 Assess existing discipline policies and
procedures at each level, including developing
alternatives to suspensions.
 Focus on student at-risk data such as tardiness
and absences to identify patterns and address the
issue.
Collaboration with Families and Communities
 Conduct training and provide resources
on a variety of topics including behavioral
health issues in children, understanding student
reports, and how to use Edline.
 Review student grading and investigate the
possibility of adding comments that describe the
social emotional development of students.
Collaboration with Families and Communities
 Hold a World Café discussion around topics
that impact behavioral health issues (i.e. sports,
extra-curricular activities, pressures of
participating) and include community input and
involvement in the recommendations.
 Brainstorm a “Community Campaign” to
promote behavioral health once recommendations
have been established.
Future Steps
 Engage Community Discussion on Recommendations
 Possible Resource Recommendations
 Health Education (6-12)
 Counseling Services (PreK-12)
 Substance Abuse Programs for Athletics and Extracurricular
 Review all policies, procedures, and programs regarding
behavioral health and student safety
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Prescription Medication
Athlete and Extracurricular Eligibility for Chemical Health
Safety Drills
 Upcoming Events
 Dr. Robert Macy (November 2nd)
 Dr. David Walsh (April 12th)
Questions and Comments