From Awareness to Public Policy to Local Action in Promoting a Mental Health-Schools-Families Shared Agenda: Ohio’s Experience Mike Armstrong, Ohio Department of Education (Columbus) Noelle Duvall, Children’s Resource Center (Bowling Green) Terre Garner, Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health (Cincinnati) Terri Johnston, Positive Education Program (Cleveland) Linda Maxwell, Children’s Hospital (Columbus) Carl E. Paternite, Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs (Miami U., Oxford) Paul Flaspohler, Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs (Miami U., Oxford) Kay Rietz, Ohio Department of Mental Health (Columbus) 9th Annual Conference on Advancing School-Based Mental Health Dallas, Texas October 8, 2004

From Awareness to Public Policy to Local Action in Promoting a Mental Health-Schools-Families Shared Agenda: Ohio’s Experience Learning Objectives: Increase knowledge of strategies of enhancing collaboration Increase knowledge of strategies for jointly mobilizing policy makers, implementers, and consumer stakeholders Provide examples of local action

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success 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 Publication of Mental Health and School Success: Hearing Summary and Resource Guide (Spring, 2001)

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success 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

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Ohio’s Positive Behavior Support Initiative Collaborative efforts of: Special Education Regional Resource Centers The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators The Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators There currently are over 700 building teams and 10,000 educational staff trained in Positive Behavior Supports

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Policymaker 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)

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Purpose of the Concept Paper “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.”

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success The Aim 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.

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success The Framework The framework encompasses a continuum of interventions, including: 1.Positive development of child, 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.

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success The concept paper is available online at:

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont With Ongoing Across-State Networking Facilitated by PMP/NASDSE Shared Agenda Seed Grant Awards to:

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success 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

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success 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. Mission

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success 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 (including new anti-stigma campaign). Partner with regional action networks to enhance within-region implementation of the action agenda, actively soliciting student and family input. Also, contribute to statewide efforts (e.g., training institutes, workshops, research, etc.). Conduct surveys of mental health agencies, families, and school districts to better define the mental health needs of children and to gather information about promising practices.

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success The Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Action Agenda (continued) Provide training and 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.

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success The Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Action Agenda (continued) 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.

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Ohio’s Mental Health, Schools, and Families 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 (October 9, 2003) Phase 4—Ongoing policy/funding advocacy and technical assistance to promote attention to the crucial links between mental health and school success

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Approximately 725 participants Keynote presentations by national and state experts 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 Strategies and Features of Phase 1 and 2 Shared Agenda Forums

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Materials compiled and developed to 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 ( Following Phases 1 and 2

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Development of format for forum, and selection of date Commitment of participation from ODMH and ODE leadership Identification and preparation of legislative co-chairs Invitation to additional legislative panelists Invitation to stakeholders throughout the state Legislative Forum Preparation October 9, 2003

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Promotional work Selection of students for written and oral testimony and identification of facilitator Selection of adults (parents, educators, and mental health providers) for written and oral testimony and identification of facilitator Development of written materials for the legislators Plan for pre-forum events with student and adult participants More Legislative Forum Preparation October 9, 2003

Legislative Forum On Mental Health and School Success Creating A Shared Agenda In Ohio October 9, 2003

Legislative Forum On Mental Health and School Success Creating A Shared Agenda In Ohio Tova’s Testimony October 9, 2003

Legislative Forum On Mental Health and School Success Creating A Shared Agenda In Ohio Kristin’s Testimony October 9, 2003

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Comments from Legislators Following the Adult Testimony From Representative Joyce Beatty (Member House Education Committee) In a question/challenge to fellow legislative panelists: “Is there legislation that we should be looking at?” From Representative Arlene Setzer (Chair, House Education Committee) In response to Representative Beatty: “During this whole process I was also taking notes…because, as you indicated there have been some specifics provided to us which we truly need many times when looking at legislation…as most of you know currently the House and the Senate are working on Senate Bill 2 which is for…teacher success and identifying highly qualified teachers...I am going to guide that discussion around some of the things that I have heard today about the idea that teachers need to understand regardless of what their teaching assignment might be…”

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Comments from Legislators Following the Student Testimony From Senator Bill Harris (Chair, Senate Finance Committee) “…I listened to the very brave and courageous young people tell us about things of their life. And as you were explaining that to us I am thinking about my sons, I am thinking about my grandchildren, I am thinking about other people that I know and some of the struggles that they have…” From Representative Joyce Beatty (Member, House Education Committee) “…All of the student panel members, I don’t think I have ever heard anything so compelling and moving and informative and educating in my entire life. So let me say to you thank you and let me give it to you with that smile that can be comforting because you have helped us…”

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative 1. ODMH and ODE jointly formed an ad hoc workgroup to address action steps related to the Shared Agenda Recommendations Public Awareness and Advocacy Professional Development/Training and Service Delivery Policy and Funding

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative The workgroup met three times between November (2003) and March (2004) A final report with recommended goals and objectives has just been released (see Handout)

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative NASDSE National Satellite Teleconference School-Based Mental Health Broadcast from Pittsburgh, PA May 5, 2004

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative 2. Ohio is one of eight states selected to participate in a SAMHSA-funded 3-year Elimination of Barriers Initiative (EBI) to identify effective approaches in addressing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative ODMH is leading Ohio’s EBI effort, focusing on the school age population. Contact strategies include: Youth speaker panel/bureau School resource materials

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative 3.Expansion of Ohio’s Positive Behavior Support Initiative will continue through collaborative efforts of: Special Education Regional Resource Centers The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators The Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Phase 4 Steps for Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative 4. Ongoing work of the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success will continue through implementation of the action agenda and through special targeted efforts.

Phase 4: An Immediate Legislative Outcome Senate Bill 2 Section (E) (effective June 9, 2004) “The standards for educator professional development developed under division (A) (3) of this section shall include standards that address the crucial link between academic achievement and mental health issues.”

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success North Central Ohio Action Network FY 2004 Special Projects Shared Survey Wellness Translator Mental Health Proficiency Curriculum for Teachers “See Me Hear My Feelings” Campaign

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Shared Survey 5 Counties Participated(4 next year) 36 School Districts Surveyed 110 Schools- 53% response 56% - Elementary 24% - Middle School 20% - High School Surveyed: 1. Symptom Awareness? 2. Mental Health Service Need? 3. On or Off School Grounds?

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Wellness Translator (Prevention and Treatment CD Prototype) 12 presenting behaviors: ~ Attention Problems ~ Hurtful to Others ~ Hurtful to Self ~ Moody / Withdrawn ~ Substance Abuse ~ Sexually Inappropriate ~ Disrespectful ~ Fearful ~ Sensitive ~ Attendance Issues ~ Under Achiever ~ Verbally Aggressive

Mental Health Proficiency Curriculum for Teachers Module 1 Introduction Module 2 Child Development Module 3 Understanding Families Module 4 Education Standards for Children with Disabilities Module 5 Diagnoses of Childhood/Adolescence Module 6 Depression: Red Flags Module 7 Bully Prevention and Intervention Module 8 Positive Behavior Supports Module 9 Eliminating Barriers to Learning Contributors Ohio Department of Mental Health, Mental Health Network for School Success, Heartland Behavioral Healthcare, Summit Behavioral Healthcare, Domestic Relations Court of Summit County, Van Guard Media Communications, Mental Health Association of Summit County, Akron Public Schools, North Central SERRC

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Additional OMHNSS Special Projects Northeast: Intensive Positive Behavior and Support Training and TA Northwest: Wood County Cross Training Initiative North Central: Development and Use of an Intensive School District Survey Southeast: Expansion of Youth Experiencing Success in Schools (Y.E.S.S.) Program Southwest: University-Community Partnership in Effective Implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Mental Health and School Success Websites National: National Association of State Directors of Special Education ( Center for School Mental Health Assistance (CSMHA, Center for Mental Health in Schools ( Ohio: Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs ( Center for Learning Excellence, Alternative Education and Mental Health Projects ( Ohio’s Shared Agenda Initiative (

Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success This PowerPoint presentation is posted on the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success website