1. Dianna Sawyers, MSW, LCSW
Bringing Therapy to Schools-
How to work with schools and school personnel
to improve mental health outcomes.
Dianna Sawyers, MSW, LCSW

2. Objectives
Understand educational policies influencing staff and teachers.
Understand your role as the mental health provider.
Learn strategies for effective and improved communication with school personnel.

3. Discussion Points Culture of the School Barriers to Treatment
School Employee vs. School Provider
Education of Educators
Role of the Administrator
Teacher Involvement

4. Context 2002 President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
2.1. Develop an individualized plan of care for every child with a serious emotional disturbance
4.1. Promote the mental health of young children
4.2. Improve and expand school mental health programs

5. Context Cont.
75% of children needing mental health services receive those services through school resources
Service Provision in Schools
63% provide prevention services
59% provide behavioral services
75% provide safe and drug free schools
Service Providers
Approximately 50% by school personnel
23% join effort of school personnel and outside professionals
27% by outside professionals only

6. Success of School Based Programs
Nature of intervention
Characteristics of the Professional
Client population
School/Organization Dynamics
Service Delivery System

7. Nature of Intervention
Define your space
Creating boundaries and structure
Creating a mobile play room
Toy selection
Environment Management

8. Clinician Characteristics
Flexible, Flexible Flexible!!!
Acknowledgement of being a guest
Public Relations, Human Services, Advocate, Therapist, Team Leader, Supervisor, Subordinate

9. Client Population Pre-school, elementary/primary, secondary
Presenting concern
Cultural dynamics

10. Service Delivery System
State and Federal Policies
Current Services
State Policies
Peer Support
School Structure
Administrative Leadership
School Norms
Physical Environment
School Policies

11. School/Organization dynamics
-educational and developmental philosophies
-understanding of mental health
-laws and policies
Organization:
-expectations of service delivery
-management philosophy
-rules and policies

12. Barriers Parental Involvement Support of School Staff
Support of Employer
Other Responsibilities
Logistical Components
Who is the client?

13. School Employee or School Provider-
What is the difference?
School employees are internal providers, reporting within the school’s established chain of command, adhering to school calendar, and often serving many different roles and responsibilities
School providers are external providers, deemed visitors of the school, reporting to non-school directors while cooperating with school administration and policy, functioning within but independently from the school calendar, whose responsibilities are solely connected to the mental health provision to student clients.
Why does it matter?
Funding
Freedom of practice
Developing a successful program
Administrative responsibilities
Celebrating Success and eliminating barriers

14. Education of Educators
Treatment expectations
Diagnosis of clients
Behavioral expectations
Team approach
Role of education and school personnel in treatment

15. Role of Administrators
Understanding the administrative structure
Impact of administration on staff and students
Liaison into the school system

16. Faculty Involvement in Treatment
Referral Process
Reporting of Progress
Classroom teachers vs. special educators vs. administration
Involving school personnel in the action plan

17. Resources
Langley, A. K., Nadeem, E., Katoaka, S. H., Stein, B. D., & Jaycox, L. H. (2010). Evidence-Based Mental Health Programs in Schools: Barriers and Facilitators of Successful Implementation. School Mental Health, 2,
Stephen, S. H., Weist, M., Kataoka, S., Adlesheim, S., & Mills, C. (2007). Transformation of Children's Mental Health Services: The Role of School Mental Health. Psychiatric Services, 58(10),