We are heading back to school this year as never before and the Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health in Wisconsin is here to support you and your students as you advance resilience and mental well-being through your comprehensive school-based mental health initiatives! From the school mental health navigator community of practice to the policy committee, the Coalition will be working on a “virtual summit,” data & policy initiatives and best practice training and collaboration and more!
Reach out to plug into our new opportunities and make sure to visit our website for the latest events and resources shared by local, state and national colleagues.
Back to School Resources
From the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Schools across the US have had to make sudden and considerable changes to adapt to the challenges and uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. For many educators, this has meant transforming the way they teach and connect with students, learning new skills and technology platforms, and in some cases transitioning to a new working environment all while grappling with personal stressors about their own health and families. As some educators struggle to cope with both professional and personal challenges during this time, these struggles can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, or symptoms of secondary traumatic stress. The NCTSN has resources to help administrators support the well-being of educators and to help educators reduce the impact of stressors during this difficult time. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/child-trauma-toolkit-educators
From Mental Health America
Mental Health America (MHA) has developed its 2020 Back to School Toolkit with this and more in mind to help students, parents, and school personnel navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19. https://mhanational.org/back-school
And Equity Research Shared by our friends at CASEL.
This new report from the Education Trust calls for school and district leaders to approach social, emotional, and academic development through an equity lens. This requires shifting the focus away from “fixing kids” and toward addressing the adult beliefs and mindsets as well as school and district policies that create the learning environment. It also requires school and district leaders to consider the context in which students live. https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Social-Emotional-and-Academic-Development-Through-an-Equity-Lens-August-6-2020.pdf
Policy Updates
ForwardHealth Update 2020-27 Revision – Clinical Consultations Supporting Students.
The June 2020 ForwardHealth Update (2020-27), titled "Coverage of Mental Health Clinical Consultations for Students Policy Expands to Include Parents," has been revised since its original publication. The definition of a mental health clinical consultation has been revised and appears in red text on pages 1 and 2. The definition clarification was requested by SMH Coalition members following release of the initial ForwardHealth Update.
Grant opportunities
AODA Student Mini-Grant Competition – Now Open!
Comprehensive school health programs require youth involvement to create environments conducive to healthy, resilient, and successful learners. Funds will be available on a competitive basis for schools throughout the state to support education, prevention, and intervention programs designed by the students, targeting alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) and other youth risk behaviors such as tobacco, traffic safety, violence, suicide, etc. In addition, a major funding priority of the mini-grant program is the involvement of youth in the planning and implementation of the project. Consideration will be given based on the educational value of the project and statewide geographic distribution of funds. The amount of each individual mini-grant award may not exceed $1,000. For more information, see the Student AODA Mini-Grant Program webpage.
Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Grant Competition – Now Open!
The new competitive grant process for peer-to-peer suicide prevention programming is open! Public, private, and tribal schools where pupils attend high school grades are eligible for this grant. Grants may be awarded for up to $1,000 for each applicant school. Recipients of a grant under this program may use the grant funds to support an existing or to implement a new, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. For more information, see the Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Grants webpage.
Employment Opportunities
WISH Center Hiring Statewide Project Coordinator and Regional Coaches for Resilient Schools
The Wisconsin Safe & Healthy Schools (WISH) Center is expanding its services to provide coaching to school teams on mental health and social and emotional learning (SEL). They are hiring eight Regional Coaches and a Statewide Project Coordinator. These are two-year, limited-term contracts with the ability to work from home. Be a part of creating the Wisconsin Center for Resilient Schools! Training opportunities will be provided.
The Statewide Project Coordinator provides leadership, training, and coordination of the Wisconsin Center for Resilient Schools. Responsibilities include managing schools’ requests for support, providing coaching and support to the Regional Coaches, and serving as a liaison between the WISH Center, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and Regional Coaches. Read more in the Statewide Project Coordinator job description (WECAN ID #93099).
The Regional Coaches will provide coaching to school teams in the systemic implementation of school based mental health (SBMH) systems and trauma-sensitive SEL in order to build local capacity to develop student and adult resilience. Read more in the Regional Coach job description (WECAN ID #93113).
Applications are due September 15, 2020.
How To Apply:
Interested individuals should apply using the WECAN website. The following documents should be attached to the WECAN application: letter of interest, resume, copies of transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. These positions are open until filled. Any questions can be directed to Tracy Herlitzke, therlitzke@cesa4.org.
Webinar: Navigating Teen Depression and Substance Use as a Family
Families for Depression Awareness is presenting our free Navigating Teen Depression and Substance Use as a Family webinar on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 from 7:00 to 8:15 PM ET/ 4:00 to 5:15 PM PT.
In this webinar, David Blair LCSW, CACIII, AAMFT, and Jamie Blair Echevarria, LCSW, LMFT, CACIII, cover how caring adults can fully engage in the process of prevention and treatment for adolescent substance use and depression. This program is designed for parents, guardians, family members, youth workers, and any caring adults interested in teen mental health. Register to join us for a live webinar discussion or watch on demand after it airs.
After the webinar, complete our online evaluation and you'll be entered for a chance to win a free educational book on the topic of teen depression.
Can't attend the live webinar? Register today to submit your questions and watch the recorded webinar after it airs.
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