Healthy Students IS School Reform Kyle Guerrant, LMSW, Supervisor, Coordinated School Health & Safety Programs Unit, Michigan Department of Education and Lauren Kazee, LMSW, Coordinated School Health Consultant, Mental Health Consultant, Michigan Department of Education Michigan Department of Community Health OSDFS Conference, August 3, 2009

Presentation Objectives Provide a brief overview of Michigan’s Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHSP) model Discuss USDOE Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems grant within the CSHSP unit at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Discuss the benefits of using a CSHP approach in integrating mental health policy, programs, and services

National Association of State Boards of Education “ Health and success in school are interrelated. Schools cannot achieve their primary mission of education if students and staff are not healthy and fit physically, mentally, and socially.

Michigan’s Coordinated School Health Program Model (CSHP)

CSHSP Vision Statement School-aged children are socially, emotionally and physically healthy and engaging in behaviors that promote lifelong health and academic achievement within a supportive family, school and community environment.

Michigan’s School Health Vision Priorities A: Teach healthy behaviors and skills to all students. B: Ensure that social, emotional and physical health services available to all students. C: Create environments that support health behaviors.

Form a Coordinated School Health Council Create a council vision & mission Implement change & Evaluate impact Complete a district wide needs assessment & action plan Sustained Student Health & Academic Improvements Coordinated School Health Program Implementation Steps

Health Services Health Services Healthy School Environment Healthy School Environment Health Promotion for Staff Health Promotion for Staff Nutrition Services Nutrition Services Family/ Community Involvement Family/ Community Involvement Physical Education Physical Education Counseling, Psychological & Social Services Counseling, Psychological & Social Services Health Education Health Education Supporting Coordinated School Health MiPHY HSRC NCCC MiPHY HSRC Focus Groups MiPHY HSRC Focus Groups

How is MDE working to implement CSHP in Michigan? –Partnerships –Collaboration –Leveraging Resources (funding, staff, tools)

Staying on Message

MDE’S Role Provide leadership, technical assistance and support for efforts designed to promote student health –Coordinated School Health Initiatives –Health, Character Education, Michigan Model for CSHE –Child & Adolescent Health Centers –Surveillance Systems (YRBS, MiPHY, Profiles) –Sexuality, HIV and STI prevention –Safe Schools, Persistently Dangerous Schools –Physical Education/Activity

Leveraging Resources Pooling federal, state, and private funding sources to meet shared goals Collaboration in sharing staffing resources Shared Mental Health Consultant between MDE & MDCH Work towards a shared State School Nurse Jointly developed strategic plans, work plans, and grant applications Working smarter, not harder

Attempted Suicide Percentage of students who actually attempted suicide one or more times during the past 12 months ( ) Michigan No change over time. MI vs. U.S. MI students were at greater risk than U.S. students in 1997, 2003, and 2007.

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant Funded by US Department of Education 18 month timeframe – started August 1, 2007 Eligible applicants – LEAs and SEAs 15 grantees received funding, along with the Michigan Department of Education (2 SEAs and 13 LEAs)

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant Underlying Grant Themes Ensuring diversity at all levels of the grant – local committees must reflect the cultural and ethnic makeup of the communities they serve. Recognition of the value and unique perspective that parents/caregivers provide. Parents should be a full partner in the work at both the state and local level. Recognition that schools are under tremendous pressure – strategies and recommendations need to reflect capacity w/in the school environment.

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant Focused on 4 priority areas, including: 1.Development of a statewide model policy on how schools can address student mental health issues 2.Local community planning with 3 school districts 3.Increasing awareness of mental health needs and referrals through professional development and trainings at the state and local level 4.Development of state and national partnerships related to mental health for children and youth

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant

Community Partners All three communities have a child poverty rate that is at least 20 percent higher than the state median of 15.5% Each community has an existing school based health center and an advisory group that requires parent and youth input. However, there are distinct differences between the communities as well, which will enable “lessons learned” from this process to be used by other schools in Michigan.

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant Communities formed Local Steering Committees –Conducted an Assessment ( e.g. Healthy School Report Card) –Developed an Action Plan to address the mental health needs of their students –Evaluated their efforts (e.g. Process index, Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth) CSHP provides an effective framework to address ALL the health needs of students

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant Grant Deliverables (community-level): 1.Development and implementation of a district level policy that minimally address how students with mental health needs will be identified, treated and/or referred for services. 2.Teachers, parents, and other interested community members trained on how to identify mental health needs in students. 3.Signed referral agreements with local CMH and other community providers/agencies. 4.Updated crisis intervention plan.

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant Grant Deliverables (state-level): 1.Plan detailing the work of the Statewide Steering Committee (SSC) w/recommendations for developing capacity around student mental health. 2.Development of a Statewide Model Policy on student mental health and school integration w/a companion document describing 3 pilot sites process. 3.At least 25 mental health workers at SBHCs will be trained in the CAFAS (Child & Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale) 4.Interagency Agreement between three state departments (Human Services, Education and Community Health)

Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant State-level deliverable update: Meeting with various Michigan Education and Mental Health Associations to get feedback and support on MH in Schools policy draft Collaborating with Office of School Improvement Unit at MDE to integrate CSHP & MH strategies into district school improvement standards and assessments

Statewide Steering Committee Priorities and Proposed Action Matrix Issue 1: Awareness of mental health concerns, early identification and appropriate response Issue 2: Availability of a continuum of care for children with mental health needs Issue 3: Understanding the relationship between mental health and education outcomes

Thinking About Mental Health (MH) in Schools: CSHP Model Common Challenges to Improve MH in Schools Inadequate referral, access, and care services Incomplete systems of care (e.g., missing prevention) Incomplete ecology of care (e.g., missing family component) Disagreement about needs/priorities of MH services Lack of education around MH ( i.e. stigma, symptoms, resources) Inadequate “buy-in” from key sectors ( e.g., family, school staff )

Thinking About Mental Health (MH) in Schools: CSHP Model CSHP Considers Quality of referral, access, and care services Systems of care Ecology of care Needs and priorities of MH services Planning, training, implementation and progress tracking All key stakeholders and partnerships Time and resources

Next Steps Asks from Foundations, Policymakers, etc. Mini-grants for school districts ($500-$3000) -Outline how to meet 1-2 recommendations of the MH in Schools policy -To create a policy and referral protocol process/flowchart -Establish Collaborative Agreements Trainings: (thru the ISD’s and/or MASSW) -School staff -Parents -Students Include MH into the Healthy Schools Action Tools (HSAT)

Take Home Messages Mental Health is necessary to academic achievement Don’t recreate the wheel – Partnerships and collaboration are crucial to success Be A Champion - get involved with CSHP in your school community

CSHP Resources Mental Health in Schools Mental Health in Schools Toolkit Coordinated School Health and Safety Programs Healthy School Action Tool (HSAT) Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth

CSHP Resources Michigan Safe Schools Making the Connection: Health and Student Achievement Through Coordinated School Health Program nection.ppt Comprehensive School Health Coordinators Association & Michigan Model for Health

Contact Information Kyle Guerrant, LMSW Supervisor Coordinated School Health & Safety Programs Unit (517)

Contact Information Lauren Kazee, LMSW Mental Health Consultant Michigan Department of Education/ Michigan Department of Community Health (517)