Enhancing Existing Collaborations to Promote a Shared Agenda for Children's Mental Health: Ohio's Experience Carl Paternite and Kay Rietz - Mental Health Terre Garner - Families Mike Armstrong and Greg Mathews - Education Presentation at the 2nd National IDEA Summit Arlington, Virginia June 19th, 2003

Policy Maker Partnership (PMP) at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Concept Paper Mental Health, Schools and Families Working Together for All Children and Youth: Toward A Shared Agenda (2002)

“Encourage state and local family and youth organizations, mental health organizations, education entities and schools across the nation to enter new relationships to achieve positive social, emotional and educational outcomes for every child.” Purpose of the Concept Paper

The aim is to align systems and ensure the promise of a comprehensive, highly effective systemic collaboration to coordinate and integrate programs and services for children and youth and their families.

A vision for a shared education and mental health agenda ensures that:

1. All children and youth have an equal opportunity to develop their fullest cognitive, social and emotional capacities; and

2.The needs of those who experience psychosocial problems and emotional and behavioral disabilities are effectively addressed.

The framework encompasses a continuum of interventions, including:

1. Positive development of children, youth, families and communities and prevention of problems;

2. Early identification —interventions for children and youth at risk or shortly after the onset of problems; and

3. Intensive interventions—with a focus on integrated approaches.

Additional copies of the concept paper are available from NASDSE at: (703) x 312

The concept paper is available online at:

Policy Maker Partnership (PMP) at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Shared Agenda Seed Grant Awards to Six States: Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont

Additional Funding for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Ohio Department of Mental Health Ohio Department of Education Ohio Department of Health and Numerous Additional State-level and Regional Organizations

Infrastructure for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Hearing on Mental Health and School Success (February 8, 2001) Presided over by Ohio’s First Lady Hope Taft and convened by: Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) Center for Learning Excellence Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Governor’s Office

Infrastructure for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Publication of Mental Health and School Success: Hearing Summary and Resource Guide (Spring, 2001) Testimony summary Facts, resources, and ideas highlighting the inter- dependency of good mental health and success in school

Infrastructure for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Follow-up Publication of Mental Health and School Success: What We are Learning (Spring, 2003) Chronicles the growing success of mental health — education —family partnerships Highlights innovative school-based mental health programs and services Resource guide

Infrastructure for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Formation in 2001 of the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success (OMHNSS) Action Networks spearheaded by affiliate organizations in six regions of the State

The Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Mission To help Ohio’s school districts, community-based agencies, and families work together to achieve improved educational and developmental outcomes for all children — especially those at emotional or behavioral risk and those with mental health problems, including pupils participating in alternative education programs.

The Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Action Agenda Create awareness about the gap between children’s mental health needs and “treatment” resources, and encourage improved and expanded services. Encourage mental health agencies and school districts to adopt mission statements that address the importance of partnerships. Conduct surveys of mental health agencies and school districts to better define the mental health needs of children and to gather information about promising practices.

The Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Action Agenda (continued) Provide technical assistance to mental health agencies and school districts, to support adoption of evidence-based and promising practices, including improvement and expansion of school-based mental health services. Develop a guide for education and mental health professionals and families, for the development of productive partnerships. Assist in identification of sources of financial support for school- based mental health initiatives. Assist university-based professional preparation programs in psychology, social work, public health, and education, in developing inter-professional strategies and practices for addressing the mental health needs of school-age children.

Infrastructure for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative The Shared Agenda seed grant is being implemented in Ohio within the collaborative infrastructure of the Mental Health Network

Three Phases of Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Phase 1—Statewide forum for leaders of mental health, education, and family policymaking organizations and child- serving systems (March 3, 2003) Phase 2—Six regional forums for policy implementers and consumer stakeholders (April-May, 2003) Phase 3—Legislative forum involving key leadership of relevant house and senate committees (Fall, 2003)

Phase 1 and Phase 2 Shared Agenda Forums Columbus, OH — Statewide Forum, March 3, 2002 Athens, OH—SoutheastWooster, OH—North Central April 15, 2003 April 28, 2003 Columbus, OH—CentralBowling Green, OH—Northwest April 29, 2003 April 29, 2003 Cleveland, OH—NortheastHamilton, OH—Southwest May 5, 2003 May 5, 2003 Logo Here

Strategies and Features of Various Shared Agenda Forums Keynote presentations by national and state experts: Mark Weist, Center for School MH Assistance, U. of Maryland Steve Adelsheim, New Mexico School MH Initiative Howard Adelman & Linda Taylor, UCLA School MH Project Kimberly Hoagwood, Columbia University Howie Knoff, Project Achieve Joseph Johnson, Ohio Department of Education Eric Fingerhut, Ohio State Senator

Strategies and Features of Various Shared Agenda Forums Promising work in Ohio showcased Youth and parent testimony Cross-stakeholder panel discussions Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem-solve regarding implementation issues Appreciative Inquiry model for promotion of systems-level change and transformation informed the process

Mental Health, Schools and Families Working Together for Ohio’s Children: Shared Agenda Policymakers’ Forum Columbus, Ohio - March 3, 2003 First jointly convened ODMH/ODE Forum 125 policymakers Keynote presentations by Mark Weist (Center for School Mental Health Assistance at University of Maryland) and Steve Adelsheim (New Mexico School Mental Health Initiative Promising work in Ohio showcased Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, and instill hope that systemic change is possible Appreciative Inquiry model for promotion of systems-level change and transformation informed the process

Southeast Ohio Forum—Finding New Ways to Collaborate:Breaking Down the Barriers to Learning Athens, Ohio April 15, policy implementers and stakeholders Keynote presentation by Howie Knoff (Project Achieve) Cross-stakeholder panel discussion Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem- solve regarding implementation issues

North Central Ohio Forum—Addressing Barriers to Learning: Frameworks for Schools & Communities Working Together to Close the Achievement Gap Wooster, Ohio April 28, policy implementers and stakeholders Keynote presentations by Howard Adelman and Linda Taylor (UCLA School Mental Health Project) Individual county break-out sessions to explore potential collaborations Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem-solve regarding implementation issues

Central Ohio Forum—The Child We Have in Common: Families, Schools and Mental Health Columbus, Ohio April 29, policy implementers and stakeholders Keynote presentations by Howard Adelman and Linda Taylor (UCLA School Mental Health Project) Individual county break-out sessions to explore potential collaborations Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem-solve regarding implementation issues

Northwest Ohio Forum—Strengthening the Partnership: Mental Health and Education Helping Kids Succeed in Schools Bowling Green, Ohio April 29, policy implementers and stakeholders Keynote presentation by Mark Weist (Center for School Mental Health Assistance at University of Maryland) Cross-stakeholder panel discussions Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem-solve regarding implementation issues Logo Here

Northeast Ohio Forum—Mental Health, Schools and Families Working Together for All Children & Youth Toward a Shared Agenda Cleveland, Ohio May 5, policy implementers and stakeholders Keynote presentation by Eric Fingerhut (Ohio State Senator) Local collaboration showcased Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem-solve regarding implementation issues Appreciative Inquiry model for promotion of systems-level change and transformation informed the process Logo Here

Southwest Ohio Forum—Mental Health, Schools & Families Working Together for All Children & Youth: Toward a Shared Agenda Hamilton, Ohio May 5, policy implementers and stakeholders Keynote presentations by Kimberly Hoagwood (Columbia University) and Joseph Johnson (Ohio Department of Education) Youth panel and testimony Parent panel and testimony Facilitated discussion structured to create a collective vision, build a sense of mutual responsibility for reaching the vision, instill hope that systemic change is possible, and problem-solve regarding implementation issues Logo Here

Outcomes and Recommendations from Phases 1 and 2 of Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative Approximately 725 participants Report being compiled that will inform the Fall, 2003 Shared Agenda Legislative Forum Through Legislative Forum raise public awareness and build advocacy for policy and fiscal support for better alignment for education and mental health in the next biennial budget process Website created to track and publicize Ohio’s Shared Agenda initiative (

Selected Participant Evaluation Findings (mean/modal ratings) from Statewide and Regional Forums Logo Here How positive was the forum? (scale: 1=poor; 2=needs to improve; 3=ok; 4=good; 5=very good; 6=great) Statewide4.8/5 Southeast4.6/5 North Central4.2/5 Central4.4/5 Northwest4.6/5 Northeast4.8/5 Southwest4.8/5

Participant Perspective (mean/modal ratings) on Extent of Barriers to Implementing a Mental Health, Schools, Families Shared Agenda What is the extent of barriers? (scale: 1=none; 2=a few barriers; 3=some barriers; 4=many barriers; 5=very difficult; 6=not possible) Statewide3.8/4 Southeast3.4/4 North Central3.7/4 Central4.0/4 Northwest3.8/4 Northeast3.9/4 Southwestnot rated

Selected Participant Evaluation Findings (mean/modal ratings) from Statewide and Regional Forums How much will the forum help collaboration efforts? (scale: 1=no help; 2=very little help; 3=a little help; 4=some help; 5=pretty good; 6=great) Statewide4.4/5 Southeast4.5/5 North Central4.1/4 Central4.4/4 Northwest4.4/4 Northeast4.5/4 Southwest4.4/5 Log Here

Ten Emerging Recommendations from Phases 1 and 2 of Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative 1.Promote EFFECTIVE mental health and educational practices in schools 2.Increase family and community involvement in school mental health and educational programs 3.Actively solicit and appreciate student input in program planning and operation 4.Reduce stigma for children who need mental health services Logo Here

Ten Emerging Recommendations from Phases 1 and 2 of Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative (cont’d) 5.Maintain focus on all children, not just students in special education 6.Promote a better understanding of children’s mental health needs in schools 7.Expand cross-discipline training (preservice and inservice) for mental health/family-serving providers, educators and parents Logo Here

Ten Emerging Recommendations from Phases 1 and 2 of Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative (cont’d) 8.Work more effectively to reduce “turf issues” that interfere with children’s mental health service delivery and with mental health-education collaboration 9.Coordinate more effectively between state-level and regional/local efforts in the area of school mental health and in promotion of mental health and school success 10. Develop organizational structures (e.g., 501C3) that will promote strong coalitions and facilitate funding Logo Here

Given the complexity of the issues and the multiple themes that are pertinent to promoting a shared agenda, how can we best distill a single, powerful message to the state legislature — that is, “speak with one voice”? Please Help Us Prepare For Our Legislative Forum: A Discussion Question