1. Roanoke County Public Schools… Life Counselors
Leading
Individuals
Fostering
Empowerment

2. School Safety Advisory Committee Affirmative Recommendations
Increase number of licensed mental health counselors
Increase law enforcement presence in schools
Explore and work toward providing full-time security at each school
Increase number of visits by police dogs
Increase transparency of communication with staff and community
Increase positive, clear messaging for students

3. A Three-Pronged Preventative Solution
Where we are headed from here…

4. Mental Health
Support In Schools
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
Student Assistance Program (SAP) Restructure

5. RCPS…MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Children who receive social, emotional and mental health support perform better academically.
Students are more likely to seek help when it’s readily available in our schools.
1 in 5 children experience a mental health issue during their school years.
Self injury and suicide rates continue to rise among our youth- 17% of high school students seriously consider suicide.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages
90% of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness
50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begins by age 14.
The average delay between onset of symptoms and intervention is years.
50% of students age 14 and older with a mental illness drop out of school. 5

6. Our Focus- PREVENTION Trauma Training Mindfulness Training
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
Trauma Training
Mindfulness Training
Teen Mental Health Presentations for Middle School Parents
Out of the Darkness Walk
Mental Health Youth First Aid
Mental Health Summit
Social Media/Impact on Mental Health Presentations for Parents
Reviewing programming
Mental Health Support in Schools
Student Assistance Program (SAP) Restructure

7. Mental Health Counselors in Schools
Proposal of adding additional counseling staff for Fort Lewis, Mason’s Cove & Back Creek Elementary (will ensure full time counselors are in all of our elementary schools)- $124,828.00
Proposal of 5 additional licensed mental health counselors (LPC, LCSW, or LCP)- $60, per counselor x 5 counselors = $301,620.00

8. Increasing Mental Health Counselors & Expected Outcomes :
Access to counseling supports for all students
Increase in wellness
Improved attendance
Improvement in behaviors
Relationships with students
Increase in staff, parent, and student education

9. Restructuring of the Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Meeting the current needs of our students Focusing on mental health Increasing individual and group counseling Providing staff, parent, and student education on mental health as well as substance issues Assisting with positive interventions and behavioral supports No additional funding required

10. Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
Systemic Change
Focus on Relationships and Connections
School-wide support, classroom support & individual support
Evidence based programs implemented with fidelity

12. PBIS Expected Outcomes:
Reduction in discipline referrals
Reduction of suspension rates
Improved attendance rates
Decrease in drop out rates
Improved perception of school safety

13. Total Cost Proposal
5 Mental health counselors- $60, per counselor x 5 counselors = $301,620.00
2 Additional full time school counselor positions. This would allow all elementary schools to have full time counselors in their buildings. Total- $62, per counselor = $124,828.00
Total Proposal- $426,448.00

14. Roanoke County Public Schools… Mental Health Matters
Questions? Comments? 14