Indianapolis Public Schools Dr. Eugene G. White, Superintendent ROOTS Reclaiming Our Opportunities To Succeed Presented by: Robb Warriner, Director of Special Education 120 E. Walnut Street Indianapolis, Indiana Judy Zimmerman, Supervisor of ROOTS Ami Anderson, Coordinator of ROOTS

ROOTS: Reclaiming Our Opportunities To Succeed The deeper the roots, the higher the reach. African Proverb

IPS Demographics  Enrollment: 31,707  47 Elementary Schools, 1 middle school, 8 Community Schools, schools  Student Profile  Black 53%  White 23%  Hispanic-18.%  Multiracial-5%  Asian/Native American 1%

IPS Demographics continued  Single Parent Households  Mother only 70%  Grandparents and/or fathers only 10% District Mobility rate:70% 20% Special Education Students 14% students with Limited English proficiency 83% students receiving Free lunch

ROOTS  A diagnostic/day treatment program for students who are struggling to succeed in their current school placement due to significant behavior and/or mental health concerns

VISION  To grow the ROOTS of hope, trust, independence and self control in our students.

Mission  To develop the foundation of school success in students with significant mental health and/or behavior challenges.

ROOTS: Background  An increasing number of students with significant behavior and mental health concerns that are difficult to maintain safely in school  To provide an intensive, diagnostic assessment of child and family needs  With a goal to return student to home school with appropriate supports and services

What does ROOTS provide?  Small classroom size  Multidisciplinary treatment approach  Daily focus on counseling and skill building  Crisis intervention  Medication management  Family services

ROOTS Staff  Part time Supervisor  Program Coordinator  Teachers  Classroom Assistants- one per class  Licensed Therapists-one per class  Part Time Adult Therapist  School Psychologist  Child Psychiatrist  Ancillary services as needed speech therapist, OT/PT  Administrative assistant

ROOTS structure:  Class size ratio 1:8  Class configurations-K-1,2-3,4-6,7-8  Treatment team planning on each child  Three times a week VSA-yoga, visual arts and performing arts  Action based learning

 ROOTS serves students who are general education or special education  Students are admitted to the program through a referral process  Student receives a complete psychological and psychiatric evaluation if needed  Students receive “group therapy” daily and individual therapy weekly ROOTS services:

ROOTS Information  The CANS is administered on all children  Parent involvement is a strong component  Monthly parent support groups  Twice a year family nights  Adult therapist is available to support parents and their individual needs  Intensive transition services are provided to students when they return to their school

What makes ROOTS so special?  It’s the opposite of zerotolerance.

Integration of services  Self control curriculum is integrated into the academic curriculum. Providing a seamless delivery of necessary skill building.  Reading workshop utilizes critical literacy to teach self control skills, while more effectively engaging the students in reading with high quality literature.  Math, science, and social studies provide authentic opportunities to introduce, model, and practice the needed self control to be successful in school.

Mental health services beyond the child…  Adult therapist was added to meet the mental health needs of parents and guardians.  Many of our families are stressed and lack support systems. The impact of raising children with significant challenges is profound.  Several have their own histories of school failure, abuse, and their own mental health needs.  Adult therapy, family therapy, support groups, home visits, and even medication management for the adults.

Intentional opportunities to succeed and grow! Artists teach and connect with students providing unique experiences including visual arts (ex: pottery), performing arts (ex: miming and drumming), and yoga. Rituals that recognize and celebrate growth.

Additional Roots Information  Students stay a minimum of fifty school days  Transportation, breakfast and lunch is provided  Students follow the IPS curriculum and standards  The day is slightly shortened to allow for staffings  Balanced calendar is followed  The facility is secure

Conclusion  ROOTS was developed out of the concerns to successfully program for students with significantly challenging behaviors and mental health issues.  ROOTS has become a full service program addressing the needs of the students and families.

ROOTS…  has provided many children the “roots” of hope, trust, independence and self- control to be successful in continuing their education and becoming useful productive citizens.

W e must structure opportunities into every child’s daily routine that will enable him or her to experience feelings of competence, belonging, usefulness, potency and optimism. -Sagor, 1996