Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - (Page 1) A Suicide Prevention Bulletin for Missouri School Leaders Mindful strides [boosting academics through behavioral health] A policy bulletin for MISSOURI EDUCATION LEADERS I School Board Members I Superintendents I Principals I Central Office Administration I Guidance Counselors N orman Ridder has seen a host of programs that promise enhanced academic outcomes over the course of his 33 years in public education. But few measure up, he says, to the benefits of strengthening mental-health services to boost academic achievement. “The school-based mental health program has one of the highest returns on investment I have seen in my educational career,” says Ridder, superintendent of the Springfield School District. Ridder’s 24,000-student district inside HELPING YOU TO BE Well Aware and Springfield’s Burrell Behavioral Health Center collaborated to apply for $4.5 million in federal grant funding— $1.5 million annually for three years—to consider effects of on-site behavioral-health services for troubled, low achieving or at-risk students. Mental-health professionals, employed by Burrell, are placed within schools in a unique blending of education and behavioral-health cultures to benefit students of Springfield. Well Aware [take note] WHO: Dr. Norman Ridder, Supt. WHERE: Springfield School District WHAT: Collaborating with Burrell Behavioral Health to secure grant funding that will measure the effect of enhancing mental-health services on improving academics Initial outcomes are impressive and include statistically significant reductions in student absenteeism; drug, alcohol and tobacco related incidents; and, disorderly conduct and disciplinary incidents. A small but statistically significant increase in grade-point average for students receiving services is also noteworthy. By breaking down barriers between emotional well- “WE CANNOT IGNORE THAT SOME OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS ” A message about our schools and student well-being from Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt. 2 [it doesn’t add up] being and education, the Springfield Schools/Burrell program delivers services to students when and where they are needed—before problems become more serious. Burrell’s school-based behavioral-health clinicians provide therapy, consultation with school staff and case management for students who exhibit low achievement, poor attendance or emotional issues. All referrals are made through school counselors, with parent permission mandated after the first meeting. Not only has Springfield’s program inspired Ridder and his staff, it has also roused state legislators to consider funding these services throughout the state, and Governor Matt Blunt has included funding for school-based mental health in his 2008 budget. The key to program success, stresses Ridder, is that school-based clinicians are professionals employed by a behavioral -health agency that is separate and apart from schools in employment status. “They’re the experts. We’re not,” adds Ridder of Burrell school-based clinicians. “These are such Increase in reported incidence of violent acts in Missouri schools from 2004 to 2005, with rate of removal for more than ten days increasing by 50% during that same time frame. SOURCE: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) 69% Volume I | Issue 2 WINTER 2007-2008 I Fostering resiliency I Reducing risk I Deterring violence Devoted To: I Improving academics experts that parents and staff treasure them. It’s a very non-threatening program that works.” I Enhancing coping skills I Preventing suicide Brought to you by the: The link between academic success and emotional wellness is supported by new data from a Missouri program to enhance education outcomes by strengthening student mental-health services. Begun with federal funding, the collaboration between Springfield Public Schools and Burrell Behavioral Health is now sustained with local and state monies. Missouri 9th grade students who reported they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the preceding 12-month period. SOURCE: 2006 Missouri Student Survey 36.3% 76% Spike in suicide rate among U.S. preteen and young girls—the largest one-year spike in 15 years. SOURCE: Sept. 2007 data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org/ http://go.missouri.gov/ http://dese.mo.gov http://www.missouriprevention.org/downloads/MSS_FinalRpt012307.pdf http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/ http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070906.htm
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 Mindful Strides Enhancing Academic Outcomes Helping You to Be Well Aware Transforming Systems, Transforming Lives Safe Spaces for All Solution Climate Change Be Well Aware Talk Back Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Mindful Strides (Page 1) Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Helping You to Be Well Aware (Page 2) Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Solution (Page 3) Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Talk Back (Page 4)
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