Member Meetings>Spring 2004 Member Meeting
Spring Meeting
Mental Health Services in Urban Schools:
Challenges and Opportunities
May 13-15, 2004
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Chicago, IL
The primary topic for the meeting was "Mental Health Services in Urban Schools: Challenges and Opportunities". Karl Dennis, founder of the Chicago-based Kaleidoscope, Inc., and "grandfather" of the concept of wrap-around services, and Mark Weist, Professor at the University of Maryland's School of Medicine and Director of the Center for School Mental Health Assistance, served as our keynote speakers on Thursday afternoon. They helped us consider current practice and develop a shared vision for the future of mental health services in urban schools. Friday was spent learning how selected member school districts organized and supported programs and services for students with and without disabilities who have mental health support needs. In the aggregate, the meeting offered presentations that covered the complete range of mental health offerings and service delivery options: school-based, wrap-around, student support service teams, early childhood, and family engagement and supports.
Keynote Presentations
- Karl Dennis, Ph.D.
Did You Know That A Camel Is A Horse Designed By A Committee? But Does It Have To Be?
Through the use of humor and storytelling, Karl Dennis discussed the strengths and pitfalls of interagency collaboration when working with children and families. Karl is known as one of the pioneers of the Wraparound process and has over 30 years experience serving youth in the community who were often considered, "too difficult to be kept at home." Dr. Dennis shared his vast experience of bringing together all involved agencies and families to create a shared plan that better serves difficult youth and children.
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Mark Weist, Ph.D.
Reducing Barriers to Learning in Urban Schools through Expanded School Mental Health
Mark Weist is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Weist shared his experiences as director of the Center for School Mental Health Assistance and offered suggestions for improving school mental health programs in urban schools.
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District Presentations
- A Collaborative Approach to Children's Mental Health: A Clark County Study, Findings, and Next Steps
Clark County Public Schools
Presenters: Leslie Nix and Brad Reitz
The presentation provided an overview and findings of an extensive mental health study of CCSD elementary schools, the collaborative workgroup investigation of the next steps process, and the current and projected outcomes.
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Dallas ISD's Youth and Family Centers: A Model School-based Mental Health Service
Dallas Independent School District
Presenter: Rosemarie Allen
Participants of this session learned about 1) the framework for providing school-based mental health care, early intervention, and treatment in a school setting; 2) the impact of mental health services on school success indicators, including grades and attendance; and 3) how to establish a school mental health care program for students.
Schools and Mental Health Agencies Connecting Outside the Box
Detroit Public Schools
Presenters: Melissa Erikson, Helene Mally, LaShana Meyers, Elaine Swensen, Virdell Thomas, Sheila Turner and Sandra Young
Detroit Public School's Resource Coordinating Team—Title 1 Coordinator, teacher of speech and language impaired, school psychologist, school social worker, and representatives from a variety of community mental health agencies—discussed how they coordinate their services to benefit the overall quality of life and educational experiences of DPS students.
Bringing Mental Health Services to Preschoolers with Disabilities
Fairfax County School District
Presenters: Elaine Barker and Sondra Novick
District representatives presented on the collaborative efforts between the Fairfax County Public Schools preschool special education services and the Fairfax County Mental Health Program.
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Starting a School-based Mental Health Clinic: A Houston Experience
Houston Independent School District
Presenters: Grace Jennings, Susan Marsh, and Deedrah Respess-Harp
Session participants explored the nuts and bolts of starting and maintaining a school-based mental health clinic with limited school district funding, ever changing mental health dollars, scarcity of foundation grants, and staff cut backs.
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Connecting the Puzzle Pieces
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Presenters: Cindy Green, and Patricia Weighman
This session provided information on how Kalamazoo Public Schools works with Community Mental Health to assist students in need. Participants will learn how KPS and CMH work together, problem solve, and collect data.
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Building Bridges and a Mosaic: The Continuum of Comprehensive Mental Health Services to Students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Presenters: Will Gordillo, Robin Morrison, Anne Marie Sasseville
Miami-Dade County Public Schools presented on the range of mental health services provided in their schools and discussed the strengths and challenges inherent in providing a mosaic of services.
Meeting the Mental Health Needs of All Students: A Comprehensive Approach
Milwaukee Public Schools
Presenters: Josuanne Duckworth, Beth Herman-Ukasick, Marcia Staum and Pat Yahle
This presentation focused on a comprehensive effort being undertaken by Milwaukee Public Schools to address the mental health needs of all students. The MPS approach combines the theoretical underpinnings of a prevention and the rigor of a data based decision making process used in the district initiative Optimizing Success Through Problem Solving.
Using School-wide Support Strategies to Create a Safe and Civil Educational Environment
New Bedford Public Schools
Presenters: Richard Desrosiers, Larry Finnerty, and Robert March
New Bedford, MA has developed several proactive school-wide programs of positive behavior support to address the mental health needs of all students, but especially those who felt isolated from their school. This presentation provided an overview of one middle school's intervention efforts that have dramatically improved school climate for students, teachers, and administrators.
School-based Partnerships: A Large Diverse District's Approach
Orange County Public Schools
Presenters: Keith LaVapor, Pam Schenkel, and Norma Verner
This presentation described how Orange County Public Schools facilitates one system of accessible, effective mental health services for students in all programs. Participants will learn how services are planned and delivered through creative partnerships and how to develop successful interagency teams.
The Therapeutic Classroom Model
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Presenters: Joseph Altman, and Donna Kane
This presentation provided an overview of the Therapeutic Classroom Model developed by the Pittsburgh Public School's Program For Students With Exceptionalities to address the needs of a specific population of students that have more severe behavior problems and/or mental health issues.
Addressing Barriers to Learning in Urban High Schools: A Providence Model
Providence Public Schools
Presenters: Sarah Friedman, Javier Montanez, Jonny Skye Njie, and Ken Swanson
The Mental Health and Wellness Initiative is a school-based model high school redesign effort that seeks to consistently address a full continuum of barriers to learning for teenagers. This presentation focused on the lessons learned, successes, and obstacles of the three-year pilot effort in two Providence high schools.
Mental Health Services Collaboration in the Public School Setting: A Spectrum of Services by Qualified Providers
School City of Hammond
Presenters: Zagorka James, Len Jozwiak, and Deanna Syndrowski
The School City of Hammond, the Tri City Community Mental Health Center, and Circle Around Families will present a review of its long term interagency relationship in providing mental health services to students in the schools and to parents and families.
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Addressing Domestic Violence: How Schools Can Help
Villa Park School District
Presenters: Joy Davy, Judy Hahn, Linda Vlasak
This presentation discussed how the district started support groups for mothers who are victims of domestic violence. It presented ideas and resources needed to replicate the program, explained how the program is funded, and what the results have been.
