School-Based Mental Health Programs in SC

“Going Where the Children Are”

Program HistoryO 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 HealthMission

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 WORKSTrue Partnerships formed w/Schools

Close liaison with school staffEarlier interventionComprehensive programs designed

to fit needs of school populationEducation on mental health issuesCommitment 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 TherapistO 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 = 1,217

• 456 SB Schools

• 37 % of SC Schools served

• 245 School Based MHPs

Data as of 4/30/2014

School-based programs by MH Center

Aiken-Barnwell 15Anderson-Oconee-Pickens 16Beckman 24Berkeley 4Catawba 62Charleston 46Coastal Empire 5Columbia Area 24Greenville 25Lexington 31Orangeburg 10Pee Dee 46Piedmont 15Santee-Wateree 25Spartanburg 66Tri-County 6Waccamaw 36

TOTAL SCHOOLS =- 456

External FundingO 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.