Identification of the problem: Coaching programs (CPs) in schools often focus on student and teacher wellness, leadership development for teachers and administrators, nutrition and physical activity, and academic achievement. However, there is limited use of CPs for the development and implementation of Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP). The…

The California Department of Education's Project Cal-Well aims to promote awareness of student mental health and improve access to mental health services for youth, families, and school communities. This brief introduces a series of Project Cal-Well Legacy Briefs that highlight successes achieved by Project Cal-Well partners. WestEd developed the…

Background: In school year (SY) 2014-2015, 128 schools in 24 districts and 14 states were randomly assigned to receive either onsite or online support to implement a school-based wellness program. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of the 2 models of implementation support: onsite and online. Methods: We adapted…

School-based mental health services are those delivered by school-employed and community-employed providers in school buildings. With the implementation of provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) that funds school-based health centers, school-based mental health services could become more broadly available in…

Recent health care reform provides many new opportunities to expand mental health and behavioral support to students in schools and school-community partnerships. Through newly available funding sources, as well as expanded legislative initiatives, school psychologists can advocate for and become leaders in delivering universal programming, tiered…

Children and youth in schools are subject to the effects of the larger culture's attitudes and values related to body size. When negatively biased, these attitudes and values can have detrimental effects and thus emerge as relevant to educational and psychological consultants. Drawing on the nascent field of Fat Studies with its focus on the…

On average, natural disasters directly impact approximately 160 million individuals and cause 90,000 deaths each year. As natural disasters are becoming more familiar, it stands to reason that school personnel, particularly mental health professionals, need to know how to prepare for natural disasters. Current disaster preparation and response…

The authors discuss the challenges that researchers from university and community systems face in gaining access to and partnering with K-12 school systems to conduct research. Borrowing from Szapocznik, Hervis, and Schwartz's (2003) brief strategic family theory and therapy and Bronfenbrenner's (1979, 1986) ecological systems theory, the authors…

Schools are ideal settings for identifying children and adolescents who have been exposed to traumatic events. They are also ideal for providing evidence-based mental health services, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, to students affected by childhood posttraumatic stress disorder and co-occurring mental health and behavioral…

Addresses the current and future roles of school psychologists in mental health programming as evidence shows they are spending time conducting such programming. Describes programs where school psychologists assume key roles in mental health program development, implementation, and evaluation. Gives several suggestions for ways school…

Describes the successful joint programing efforts of a public school system and community centers for mental health in providing comprehensive educational services to emotionally disturbed students. (Author)

Described is a program in which mental health services coordinated by a physician intern were provided in a New York City school. (CL)

Presents one position on consultation that integrates a theoretical model, a process model, and a curriculum for training school-based mental health consultants. Elements of the proposed curriculum include: ethics, relationship building, maintaining rapport, defining problems, gathering data, sharing information, generating and supporting…

This review describes two books that provide complimentary views of mental health consultation in current educational settings. Conoley's book reviews diverse consultation models, while Alpert's book presents 10 case studies from elementary schools through colleges. A broad spectrum of approaches, issues, intervention techniques, and client…

School integration efforts in recent decades have highlighted the prevalence of racial friction in the public schools. A mental health consultation project developed in Pittsburgh confronted the issue of racial and cultural differences head-on in an attempt to effect social change in the schools. (Author)