School-Based Mental Health Programs in SC “Going Where the Children Are”

Program History O Initiated in 1993 by a MCH grant that funded projects in 5 states. O 1994, a collaborative initiative developed between SCDMH, local MHCs, local school districts, and the USC Institute for Families in Society. O Since 1993 SB MH has grown from one school to 456

School-Based Mental Health Mission To promote academic and personal success through identifying and intervening at early points and partnering to develop comprehensive treatment strategies for supporting the social and emotional/behavioral well-being of children and youth in South Carolina.

School-Based Mental Health Program Goals To increase accessibility of mental health services for children and families in need of these services in a non-stigmatizing environment. To provide mental health programs that address early interventions and prevention services for schools and the community. To provide consultation for teachers and other school staff on mental health issues. To provide training on mental health issues for DMH professionals, graduate interns and school staff. To increase partnerships within the school and community.

WHY IT WORKS  True Partnerships formed w/Schools  Close liaison with school staff  Earlier intervention  Comprehensive programs designed to fit needs of school population  Education on mental health issues  Commitment to cost-share funding

WHY IT WORKS  True Partnerships formed with Students & Families  Parent/Youth voice for program planning  Students view MHP as school counselor  Parent/Youth appointments on site at school  No appointment needed for emergencies, parental concerns, teacher/staff consultation  No stigma for child and family

Best Practice - What Works?  Confidentiality agreements between parents, youth and school  All services provided with parental permission  School/Community Advisory Team helps plan comprehensive SB MH program

DMH MH Therapist O Access to 24 hour crisis services 12 months out of the year. O Movement towards certification in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (EBP/young child) O Linked to DMH Psychiatry Program O Skilled and trained in Trauma focused CBT. And evidenced based practice. O Highly trained behavioral health therapists

Benefits – Schools’ Report  Crisis intervention on site  MHP works w/student difficulties in a timely manner  MHP works w/families more often  Consultation & training on MH issues  Help school w/requirements of State Plan, IDEA Act, and Safe Schools programs

Benefits – Parent and Youth Reports  Non-stigmatizing  Easy access  Eliminate problems w/ transportation  Access to teacher & student assistant team  Crises Episodes handled immediately  Normalizes school experience for student’s w/mental health diagnoses  Attend groups w/peers  Support network at school  Family involvement more frequent

Data Collection O Client Information System (CIS) O Client Assessment (CBCL ) O Client Satisfaction (MHSIP) O School Administrators Satisfaction Surveys.

SB Program Statistics FY13 Number of Traditional Public Schools = 1, SB Schools 37 % of SC Schools served 245 School Based MHPs

Data as of 4/30/2014

School-based programs by MH Center Aiken-Barnwell15 Anderson-Oconee-Pickens16 Beckman24 Berkeley 4 Catawba62 Charleston46 Coastal Empire 5 Columbia Area24 Greenville25 Lexington31 Orangeburg10 Pee Dee46 Piedmont 15 Santee-Wateree25 Spartanburg66 Tri-County 6 Waccamaw36 TOTAL SCHOOLS =- 456

External Funding O School Districts provided funding for some programs ranging from $5,000 - $20,000 per district O In FY11, $2,284, 477 was provided through grants and or district contracts to fund school-based programs. O In FY14, DMH received $1 million in funding from the General Assembly for the Expansion of SB MH services.

Why School-based? Why Not? Emotional and behavioral problems impact a child’s ability to learn. Schools are where children spend most of their waking hours. SB services provide an opportunity for early identification and intervention, often mitigating lifelong problems for children. Educational failure shapes a child’s life…

Educational Success Shapes a Child’s Life.