1. Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS)
A new Era for school districts and families
Community Advisory Committee presentation by NCCSE Professional Learning Community-Behavior/School Psychologist/SEAS
May 2012

2. A Brief History.. In 1984: This included In June 2011
California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 3632, statutorily requiring a partnership between school districts and county mental health agencies to deliver mental health services to students with individualized Education plans (IEPs)
This included
Outpatient Therapy (individual, group, family)
Day Treatment/Day Rehab Services
Residential Placement
Case Management
In June 2011
AB 114 was signed into law, permanently repealing AB3632; which eliminates the legal responsibility of county mental health agencies to provide services to special education students, BUT, it did not eliminate the responsibility for district to provided mental health services to those students with IEPs under the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
A Brief History..

3. How are mental health concerns identified?
Mental Health diagnoses are based upon two criteria:
when it impacts functioning
impairment that affects day to day activities
And the functioning/impairment affect one of (3) areas:
Family
School (academic involvement)
Socially
According to current mental health assessments, a student can have an impairment in functioning in one (1) area to meet criteria for having a mental health disorder.
According to the most recent Surgeon General’s report 1 in 5 students are diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
Approximately 20% of those identified receive mental health treatment.
Educationally Related Mental Health is when the mental health disorder impacts how a student performs in the educational setting in regards to social interactions, levels of behavior, and emotional stability.
Based on this determination, schools will consider the level of educationally related mental health services needed to assist the student.
How are mental health concerns identified?

4. What is ERMHS as a Related Service?
Related Services under IDEIA are defined as those services used as developmental corrective, and other support services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.
Section of Title 34 of the California Federal Regulation further defines individual related services terms, and the following list represents some of the services that may be appropriate when addressing the emotional and behavioral needs of students with disabilities.
Such as:
Psychological Services
Counseling
Social Work Services
Parent counseling and training
These services are designed to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.
What is ERMHS as a Related Service?

5. What are School Mental Health Services?
Mental Health of psychological services are supports that students receive to enhance social/emotional or behavioral adjustment and well-being.
Services range from school-wide prevention efforts to individualized, intensive interventions; and may include prevention activities such as classroom meetings that help students learn problem solving and coping skills.
Students with more severe or longstanding behavioral or social/emotional needs may require more intensive services.
In these cases, a counselor, school social worker, school psychologist may work with a student individually or in a small group.
What are School Mental Health Services?

6. What are School Mental Health Services?
In the event of a crisis affecting the entire school, school mental health professionals provide crisis response counseling and support students, school staff, and their families. BENEFITS… *Increased academic performance, *Improved attendance, *Increased engagement in academic activities *Fewer disruptions to the learning environment ** These are some of the benefits when a continuum of services is provided that includes prevention, early intervention and treatment of severe mental health problems.
What are School Mental Health Services?

7. Consultation with educators and parents regarding child development, academic performance and social skills
Assessments of social/emotional development and learning needs of referred students
Training in problem solving and coping skills
Individual counseling
Group Counseling
Affective education in the classroom
School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports
Functional Analysis Assessments of Behavior
Behavior intervention Plans
Crisis intervention and prevention
Parent counseling and education related to their child’s disability
Coordination of community services and resources
ERMHS may look like…

8. Who provides ERMHS in schools?
School Counselors
School Psychologists
Social Workers
School Nurses
Mental Health Therapists
These professional can only provide services with in the scope of their training and experience, and therefore, the services offered by individual professionals may vary.
School mental health providers must abide by their own professional and ethical standards that guide provision of services to students and their families.
Who provides ERMHS in schools?

9. School personnel provided mental health services primarily focused on supporting learning and achievement.
Mental health services are focused on reducing barriers that prevent a student from achieving to his/her potential.
Usually short-term and are directed toward the promotion of healthy social and emotional development.
Community mental health personnel typically provided more intensive mental health treatments that may address family problems, such as grief due to the loss of a family member, substance abuse, and/or individual psychiatric disorders.
What is the difference?

10. “A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark”– Chinese Proverb

11. Questions & Answers….