A Panel Discussion

What is a community school? A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources.

What is a community school? An integrated focus on:  Academics  health and social services  youth and community development  community engagement That leads to:  improved student learning  stronger families  healthier communities

An easier way to explain… Conventional School ModelCommunity School Model

Results-Focused  Students attend regularly.  Students achieve academically.  Students are engaged and motivated—civically and academically.  Students are healthy—physically, emotionally, mentally.  Families are involved and supportive—of children and their education.  Schools, families and community work together.  Schools are safe—for students, parents, and school staff.  Communities are desirable places to live. 5

Research Findings  Student gains in academic achievement and non- academic development widely evident; improved attendance  Parent/family participation seen as instrumental to children’s success; lower rates of mobility  Schools have stronger staff and parent relationships, improved school climate and greater community support;  Community is stronger – improved safety and connections among people. 6

We have  Rainelle Medical Center-has school based health in all four of our secondary schools and a Mental Health Counselor in three.  Local dentists are doing screenings, cleanings, and sealants in all our elementary schools  CIS GC are providing social services in our two middle schools and three of our nine elementary schools

CISGC CISGC Programs Established in January 2004,Communities In Schools of Greenbrier County (CISGC), operating under Communities In Schools of Southeast West Virginia (CISSEWV), is a non-profit stay-in-school organization dedicated to: "surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life."

Why do we have in GCS  Started with a person who had worked for CIS in Texas.  Board of Education has supported with dollars.  GCS has supported with space and referrals and inclusion in our meeting or staff development as appropriate.  County administration has supported with a presence on their board and fund raising.  Because it is good for students and student achievement.

The Money side of it To sustain the programs, they need to raise $160,000 a year. As we work to grow our program, we need an additional $40,000 for each new site (primarily to sustain the salary for one additional full-time site coordinator). For more information, they can contact Kim Groover at or  Visionary Partner, $10,000+ Board of Education is this level  Leadership Partner, $5,000 - $9,999  Mission Advocate, $3,000 - $4,999  Community Supporter, $1,000 - $2,999  Program Partner, $500 - $999  Friends of CISGC, Gifts up to $500  Partners providing in-kind support.

A service of School-Based Health Centers

The Process Determine the need  Where is the closest community mental health care provider?  Does the principal/counselor want you in the school?  Is there enough of a need (i.e. disciplinary problems, academic deficiencies, social issues, abuse) to justify a mental health care provider?  Is there a substance abuse problem in the community/school?  Does Board of Education support and approve?

Outside Agency or In-house Mental Health Care Providers  Psychologist/Psychiatrist  Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker  Licensed Professional Counselor  Recruiting

Billing and Reimbursement  Medicaid/FQHC credentialing  Insurances  Deductibles and co-pays? Grant funding  WV Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities  Foundations  SAMHSA

Referrals and Protocols How will students be referred to the SBMH provider?  Self or parent referrals  School counselor, principal  Teachers  Friends  Screenings Appointments and walk ins  Appointments are scheduled but walk-ins happen  Usually minutes  Every effort made to not pull from core classes

Crisis Interventions and Supportive Counseling  Grief counseling  Supportive counseling  Phone consults  Court appearances  Non billable

How does SBMH contribute to community schools?  Universal prevention activities and presentations  Targeted interventions  Intensive therapy  Substance abuse therapy  SBMH reduces absences  Disciplines are usually lower

Judy Koehler Director, School-Based Health Rainelle Medical Center ext Paula Fields, MSN Community Schools Coordinator WV Department of Education Contact Information Pat Withrow Director, School Nurses Greenbrier Co. Schools (304) Ellenda M. Ward Executive Director Communities in Schools Cabell County