1. Arkansas Mental Health in Education Association (ARMEA) Presentation by: Deb Swink, MSE & Ruth Fissel, LCSW

2. Our Mission To promote comprehensive SBMH programs throughout Arkansas To ensure quality, accountability, and professionalism To foster partnerships among educators, mental health professionals and the community and To enhance the wellbeing of all Arkansas students

3. ARMEA Objectives Promoting national SBMH program standards Bridge the relationship between mental health professionals and educators Establish a voice for SBMH programs and supporters Provide professional development opportunities for members

4. Why Mental Health in Schools? A large percentage of the child’s day is spent at school. Approximately 8-13% of students have mental health needs that are identified. Less stigma related to receiving mental health services than at a clinic. No show rate is greatly reduced. Parent involvement is more likely to occur. IEP requirements and other educational needs. SBMH is more cost effective.

5. 2008 Kids Count Data: Annie E. Casey Foundation The Bad News: Arkansas ranked 45 th for 3 rd consecutive year in factors affecting children’s health, education, and well-being Children living in poverty in Arkansas remains above national average at 24%, or 165,000 in 2006 (1 out of 4 children) An estimated 813 Arkansans under age 18 were in custody of a juvenile detention facility on a daily basis in 2006, with 72% of those for nonviolent offenses Between 2000- 2005, low birth weight babies of less than 5.5 pounds have increased in Arkansas

6. 2008 Kids Count Data: Annie E. Casey Foundation The Good News: Percent of teen high school dropouts (ages 16- 19) in Arkansas declined from 12% (14000) in 2000 to 6% (10000) in 2006 Child death rate in Arkansas dropped from 33 deaths for every 100,000 children between ages 1- 14 in 2000, to 29 deaths for every 100,000 in 2005 The initiatives in Arkansas will continue to impact improvements in the health, education, and outcomes for children: Pre-K (ABC) Improvements in K-12 education SBMH services Before/after school & summer programs Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 12, 2008

7. Mental Health Status of Arkansas Arkansas Medicaid is primary source of payment for mental health treatment Over identification of SED children Little coordination between different mental health program and providers No standardized screening and assessment process Too many inpatient beds filled No standardized outcomes, to date Result: extreme amount of expenditures for the size of population served

8. What This Means for Districts 85 percent have at least one private provider Lack of consistency of staff and delivery models Lack of coordination of care (including meeting the goals indicated on IEP) Schools become a “billing center” for the providers Limited family involvement

9. System of Care Requires DHS under the advisement of the Commission to: Ensure that children and families are full partners in all aspects of the system of care Revise Medicaid rules and regulations to increase quality, accountability, and, appropriateness Define a standardized screening and assessment process designed to provide early identification of conditions Develop an outcomes-based data system

10. Work Groups  Family and Youth Support Network  Outcomes and Assessment  Medicaid Regulations  Cultural Competence  Standards, Supports and Services All report back to Commission with recommendations

11. What Good SBMH Services Look Like: Districts hire their own mental health professionals or contract with outside provider stipulating expectations. Services are provided consistently. IEP needs are met. Provide district staff training. Attend meetings, become part of the school culture. Provide non billables such as parenting groups, social skill develop, etc.

12. Lessons Learned From the Trenches! Some people are opposed to mental health services being provided by a school district. Not everyone is interested in seeing programs that are beneficial to students succeed. Finding financial backing is difficult. Changing state Medicaid policy is difficult. Getting new/proposed policy changes through does not always happen like it is supposed to.

13. Rationale: Why ARMEA? Ability to network with other sbmh professionals across Arkansas Offer training opportunities specific to sbmh topics and interests Gives sbmh a voice for policy decisions at local and State levels regarding mental health issues

14. ARMEA Membership Professional educators Mental health practitioners Consumers Other persons interested in the wellbeing and education of Arkansas children You??

15. 2010 Spring Conference March 4- 5 th, HI Airport “Emotional Literacy for Educators” – Dr. Marc Brackett, Yale Child Study Center “IDEA & 504 Requirements for Students with Social, Emotional, & Behavioral Needs” – Dr. Tom E.C. Smith “Why Do We Gather Data & YOQ Overview” – Linda Nelson, Ph.D. “Social Emotional Strategies for Young Children”- Dr. Michelle Albright, Deb Swink, and Judy Clay

16. Upcoming Events! March 4- 5 th : Annual Spring Conference: Holiday Inn Airport Conference Center; Little Rock; Featured Speaker: Marc Brackett June 28- 29 th : ARMEA Behavior Institute: Hot Springs Convention Center; Featured Speaker: Ross Green

17. Let’s Talk….. Ruth Fissel: Phone ( 501-537-2200 ) Email:refissellcsw@comcast.net Deb Swink: Phone (501-745-6058) Email (swinkd@clinton.k12.ar.us)