Page 96 - Superintendent Annual Report 24-25

STUDENT SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND
TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES

The Behavioral and Mental Health Framework, integrated with Strategic Plan Initiative
C.2a (coordinate systems to assess needs for mental health and well-being, align resources,
and deliver the intervention and support for those needs), guides District schools
in developing and aligning resources.

Expanded Access to Mental Health Support
In FY25, school-based supports included:

• Contracts for co-located mental health services.
• Technical support for schools to align staff, programs, and practices that enhance student support.
• School mental health teams serving as leaders of support systems.
• Tools and resources available through Caring First, the District Portal, and the Co-located Mental Health
Professional Resource site.
• Professional Learning Community (PLC) aimed at improving school-agency collaboration and student
counseling services.
• Caring First User’s Guide that assists staff in documenting referrals and navigating the site.

In FY25, community-based supports included:

• The Caring First website to connect families to District and community mental health resources.
• Twenty-eight partner agencies offering tiered behavioral health support through formal agreements.
• PLC for agency leaders to improve program effectiveness by sharing insights.
• The Caring First referral app to track follow-through and ensure students receive needed services.
School-Based (Co-located) Mental Health Services

Through a network of 13 partner agencies, co-located mental health clinicians provided free individual coun-
In FY25, school leaders reported a 98% positive rating for items related to expanding student access to
seling at 115 school sites. These on-campus services were available during school hours with parental consent
school-based mental health care and support from co-located administration teams.
and without requiring a diagnosis.

Table 1
Table 1
Caring First and SIS Data for Co-located Mental Health Services
Caring First and SIS Data for Co-located Mental Health Services

FY25 Support Services

Students Receiving Services 3,414

Individual Counseling Sessions 24,303

Parent or Staff Consultations 11,837

School Team Meetings 2,737

Comprehensive and Individualized Psychological Evaluations

As District mental health professionals, school psychologists have specialized training in mental health,
learning, and behavior. Services include conducting comprehensive and individualized psychological
96 SUPERINTENDENT ANNUAL REPORT
evaluations for students who present the most significant challenges or are suspected of having a disability.
The results of these evaluations are crucial for establishing personalized and prioritized educational support
and services.

School Psychological Services, operating within the Department of Behavioral and Mental Health, remains
strongly committed to completing initial evaluations within the State-mandated 60-calendar-day period
following parental consent. The most recent State report reflects this dedication, noting a 99.2% completion
rate for over 5,000 comprehensive psychological evaluations completed within the required timeframe.

Crisis, Assessment, Prevention, and Education Support Services

The Crisis, Assessment, Prevention, and Education (CAPE) support services team comprises highly qualified
and credentialed professionals specializing in crisis management, particularly in mental health, behavioral
health, and support for students with disabilities. This team offers comprehensive assistance to schools,
students, and families in meeting the needs of individuals facing mental or behavioral health crises. The
demand for CAPE support services has increased, with a 115% rise in FY25 compared to previous years.

FY25 CAPE support services professional learning included:

● Trauma-Informed Practices
● Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents
● Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to Assess Students
● Supporting Mental Health Reentry for Students and Schools After Hospitalization
● Partner Violence in Adolescents: Implications for Mental Health
● ABCs of Anxiety in Education
● The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health