WBT Flipbooks

3 TFAH • WBT • PaininTheNation.org How Educators Can Help Recognizing that despair deaths are caused by a confluence of factors that adversely affect well-being and contribute to underlying pain, the Trust for America's Health and Well Being Trust have called for a national strategy to improve resilience. 18 If we can strengthen family and social relationships, improve the social- emotional development of America's young people, and reduce early childhood trauma in our nation, we can reverse many of the dynamics fueling the rise in despair deaths. Much of this important work can be done in our nation's schools. Educators are committed to the success of their students and are increasingly aware that success is dependent on meeting the comprehensive needs of the whole child. Environmental disasters, violence, homelessness and other traumatic circumstances affect student performance and challenge teachers and school leaders to find solutions beyond the training they received through educator preparation programs. They need access to and training in evidence- based strategies that help them ensure schools are safe and healthy and support the well-being of students. Armed with knowledge about such strategies, teachers, staff and school leaders can help create and sustain the conditions for learning that are necessary for students to learn and thrive. One such strategy that has been adopted by schools and districts throughout the country is the School Behavioral Health Services Framework, commonly known as multi- tiered systems of support (MTSS). This approach—which includes prevention, early intervention, response and treatment—provides a model for behavioral and mental health promotion in education settings. Research now documents the link between mental health and academics: health is foundational for learning, and academic success leads to strong mental health. 19 Although primarily an academic intervention, schools that have adopted the MTSS model have experienced positive behavioral influences as well. 20 The remainder of the brief focuses on specific steps educators can take to help address the drug, alcohol and suicide crises. The brief concentrates on how educators and administrators can engage community partners, improve school climate, help screen students to identify risk of mental and behavioral health concerns, ensure schools have well-trained health personnel and provide training to support a school culture of well-being. Colorado Framework for School Behavioral Health Services | 9 Tier 1 ALL Referral Process Behavioral Health Screening Social, Emotional Learning Opportunities Positive Behavior Supports FOUNDATION Family-School-Community Partnerships Mental Health Stigma Reduction Staff Professional Development Positive School Climate and Culture Accountability Systems Data-Based Decision Making Tier 3 FEW Crisis Response Re-entry Plan Individual/Group Counseling/Therapy Tier 2 SOME Progress Monitoring Evidence-Based Interventions District and School Teams Drive the Work School Behavioral Health Services Framework Adequate Information Sharing Strong Communication Loop Warm Hand-Off Wraparound Services Youth-Driven and Family-Guided Services Linking with Systems of Care Source: The Colorado Education Initiative: http://www.coloradoedinitiative.org/wp-content/up- loads/2014/07/Colorado-Framework-for-Behavioral-Health-updated-links.pdf.

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