In Session

On this episode of “In Session,” we speak with Frank Rider, a seasoned Technical Assistance Specialist (TAS) at NCSSLE, about the capacities Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and State Education Agencies (SEAs) need to improve their school mental health programs and systems. As he nears the end of his 40 year career, Frank shares his expertise with the field at large. Specifically, he discusses common characteristics of successful change initiatives, advice for new grant managers, and what he has learned over the course of his impactful career. This discussion will be helpful for both new grantees (P2C3 and others) and those grantees who are nearing the end of their grants (MHSP 2019, P2C2, SBMH 2020, TR). This conversation is guided by NCSSLE’s Annie Knowles and Brianna Cunniff.

0:45- Welcome and introduction

2:16- Common characterstics of technical assistance (TA) recipients who have successfully facilitated change initiatives

4:28- Key characteristics of a compelling impetus for change

6:00- Recognizing the important phases of systems change for successful change initiatives

7:45- Primary advice for first time grante managers

10:43- Secondary piece of advice for new grant leaders

14:06- Lessons learned

17:29- Suggestions for technical assistance providers aiming to support successful grant funded systems change initiatives

19:08- Defining SAMHSA and GPRA

20:34- Challenges and questions for grant managers close to the end of the grany cycle

24:10- Taking an initiative to the "next level"

27:21- What Frank has learned from successful change agents through his TA work

31:14- Final takeaways and closing

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of “In Session,” we speak with Jay Roscup, a Mental Health Service Professionals grant recipient and Community Schools Director, about the community school strategy and its impact in Sodus Central School District. This conversation is guided by Brianna Cunniff.

To learn more about community schools, visit the Community Schools and National Center for Community Schools websites. For more information about Community Schools in New York state, visit Home | Guidance and Training | NYS Community Schools TAC , Finger Lakes Community Schools (flxcommunityschools.org), Wayne County Community Schools and read Sodus Central School’s Grantee Highlight.

0:56 - Introduction

2:23 - What a community school is

7:15 - Meeting student and community needs

11:23 - Developing community schools in Sodus County

17:57 - Supporting mental health services

21:18 - Impacts seen

25:55 - Referrals to mental health services

29:01 - Final thoughts and how to learn more

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of “In Session,” we speak with Rosemary Reilly Chammat and Bianca Carreiro, both School Based Mental Health grant recipients from the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, about statewide role-specific professional development as a retention strategy. This conversation is guided by NCSSLE’s Annie Knowles and Brianna Cunniff.

Learn more about Rhode Island’s professional development strategy by reading their Grantee Highlight.

1:00 - Introductions.

1:52 - Background about statewide role specific professional development.

5:39 - Needs being met with this program.

8:01 - How they were able to bring this to fruition.

11:41 - Lessons learned.

14:31 - Impacts from the program.

18:37 - What is coming next.

26:26 - Final takeaways and closing.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of In Session, we talk to Stacy Hardison, school counselor and Project Prevent (Cohort 2) Grant Program recipient, about utilizing the arts to destigmatize mental health, particularly in rural communities such as Stringtown Public School in Oklahoma. Stacy Hardison is joined by school psychologist and Project Director for the Stringtown P2 Grant Ronny Potts. This conversation is guided by Annie Knowles and Brianna Cunniff.

Learn more about Stringtown Public School by visiting their website.

00:59 - Introductions.

2:10 - How the mental health initiative began at Stringtown.

3:11 - How data analysis drove the programming.

4:40 - What efforts were made to get student buy-in.

10:20 - Engaging students.

12:24 - Advice for other schools that want to try something similar.

16:06 - Lessons learned.

18:34 - Impacts of the initiative.

19:22 - Takeaways and closing.

"In Session" is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (www.safesupportivelearning.ed.gov) at the American Institutes for Research (www.air.org). This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of In Session, we talk to Kiana Longnecker, School Climate and Culture Consultant and Project Prevent (Cohort 2) Grant Program Director about the small group restorative circles coaching program at Oakridge Schools in Muskegon Area Independent School District (MAISD). Longnecker is joined by Rachel VanDyke, teacher at Oakridge Public Schools. This conversation is guided by NCSSLE’s Annie Knowles and Brianna Cunniff.

To learn more about Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, read their Grantee Highlight and visit their website.

1:05 - Introductions

2:13 - About the coaching program

4:29 - About participants of the coaching program

6:05 - Community building across grade levels

7:44 - Impact of classroom walk-throughs

10:16 - Creating a Safe Space

11:29 - Circle structure and confidentiality

13:54 - Session topics and facilitation plan

16:37 - Positive feedback from teachers

19:15 - Sustainability plans

23:40 - Impact of small-group circles

28:40 - How concepts were applied in the classroom30:06 - Initial skepticism and how they addressed it

33:22 - Reason they implemented a restorative circle format

37:40 - Oakridge Schools Implementation Successes

38:48 - Defining PBIS and CHAMPS

43:53 - Closing and Takeaways

"In Session" is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (www.safesupportivelearning.ed.gov) at the American Institutes for Research (www.air.org). This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected] . Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of “In Session,” we talk to Dr. Elene Peters, clinical psychologist and Mental Health Service Professionals grant recipient, about the mental health program at John V Lindsay Wildcat Academy Charter School in New York City. Dr. Peters is joined by Mental Health Counselor Jessica Levin and Mental Health Intern Nicole Bogutsky. This conversation is guided by NCSSLE’s Annie Knowles and Brianna Cunnif.

Learn more about John V Lindsay Wildcat Academy Charter school at their website: JVL Wildcat Academy Charter School and read their monthly newsletter for resources, alumni spotlights, and more.

1:00 - Introductions

2:30 - Charter schools and what makes theirs different from other schools

4:34 - Description of the Mental Health Program at JVL: what it entails, what was the driving force behind creating it, and how it has grown or expanded since its start

8:32 - Partnerships with Institutes of Higher Education

11:07 - Specific roles within the program

13:21 - Impact of the mental health program

17:29 - How they integrate mental health practices into the students’ day to day experience

20:51 - Their advice for grantees looking to implement mental health programs like theirs

26:10 - Takeaways and closing

"In Session" is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (www.safesupportivelearning.ed.gov) at The American Institutes for Research (www.air.org) This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of “In Session,” we talk to Mental Health Service Professional grant recipients about developing and maintaining successful partnerships in rural communities. Our guests include Joseph Wharff, Associate Director of the Office of Student Services at the Virginia Department of Education and State Coordinator of the Virginia Partnership for School Mental Health. Joseph is joined by Dr. Michael Lyons and Dr. Julia Taylor, Co-Directors, and Dr. Katy Zeanah, Project Manager, of the Virginia Partnership for School Mental Health at the University of Virginia.

We also welcome Jamey Petersen, Coordinated School Health Director for the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Jamey is joined by her colleagues Brittany Carr, School Health Program Manager, and university partners Dr. Kirsten Murray and Dr. Anna Elliot from The University of Montana and Montana State University.

This episode is facilitated by Kris Scardamalia, an Assistant Professor with the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) and a Technical Assistance Specialist at NCSSLE.

1:36 – Introductions.

3:25 – Describe your most significant partnership: what does that partnership look like? Is this a new partnership you developed for this project, or an existing partnership you brought into this work?

8:16 – In what ways have these partnerships enriched your work?

13:52 —What have been some of your greatest successes that have come from your partnerships?

21:02 —What advice do you have for other sites who are looking to expand or develop partnerships?

25:34 —Virginia team, as a state with both large cities and rural communities, what are your reflections on working in, around, or with rural communities?

28:47 —Final reflections.

33:47 —Thank you.

“In Session” is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (www.safesupportivelearning.ed.gov) at The American Institutes for Research (www.air.org). This podcast is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of “In Session,” we talk about effective partnerships with institutes of higher education. Our guests include Hennessey Lustica, PhD, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Community Schools Mental Health Director at Sodus Central School District in Sodus, New York and Mental Health School Professionals grant director.

We also welcome Karen Horn, MSW, Educational Consultant for School Mental Health Professionals at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and School-Based Mental Health grant recipient.

This conversation is guided by Frank Rider, a Technical Assistance Specialist at NCSSLE.

Learn more about the Wisconsin SMBH Program at: https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/school-based-mental-health-professionals-federal-grant-program

01:24 – Introduction of Dr. Hennessey Lustica.

02:03 – To Hennessey: What is the scope and nature of your partnership effort with higher education institutions in Western New York?

04:24 – Introduction of Karen Horn, MSW.

05:34 – To Karen: What is the scope and nature of your partnership effort with higher education institutions in Wisconsin?

09:54 – To Both: What have you learned in your process of trying to expand partnerships to incorporate a larger number of programs?

10:29 – To Hennessey: What motivated you and what did you learn in efforts of trying to expand from one higher education partner to 8 partners?

13:36 – To Karen: Can you talk about some of the advantages and limitations of working with one big college and university system?

19:17 – To both: How do you keep graduate students engaged in this work and interested in the field given recent burnout and retention issues? (Hennessey answers first)

22:50 – To Karen: What are some of the approaches you’re using to bring more diverse students into the graduate programs and continue learning opportunities as mental health professionals?

28:41 – To Both (Hennessey start): Could you talk about something value you learned out of necessity during the pandemic that you think will support your strategies in the longer term?

31:36 – To Karen: What are any adaptations related to the pandemic that you think will support your efforts in the long term?

34:45 – To Both (Hennessey first): What kind of aspirations do you have on your horizon that you’re hoping you initiative will help you achieve?

35:55 – To Karen: What are you envisioning or hoping for?

39:00 – Closing

“In Session” is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (www.safesupportivelearning.ed.gov) at The American Institutes for Research (www.air.org). This podcast is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this episode of “In Session,” we talk to Mental Health Service Professional Grant Recipients about what it means to partner strategically and effectively to enhance mental health services in schools. Our guests include Greg Hickey, Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Specialist with Region 15 Education Service Center in Texas. Greg is joined by Lesley Casarez, Educational Specialist for Counseling and Mental Health, and Carol Stevens, Education Specialist and Project Director of the grant program.

We also welcome Heather Ormiston, PhD, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Health Service Provider in Psychology, and the Director of the School-Based Mental Health Research and Training Initiative at Indiana University Bloomington. Heather is joined by Jennifer Anderson, the co-Project Investigator of the grant and Director of Student Services for the Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation.

This episode is facilitated by Elizabeth Chagnon, a Technical Assistance Specialist at NCSSLE.

Learn more about Indiana’s School-Based Mental Health Research and Training Initiative at https://www.sbmhinitiative.com/.

01:38 – Introduction.

03:30 – What do you bring to the table that makes you a good partner?

11:58 – How did you move from a contractual relationship with your partners to a more informal one?

15:00 – How are you bringing your partners into community conversations?

18:45 – How do you ensure sustainability of these partnerships and shared services?

23:43 – What other key partnerships do you have?

29:07 – What have you taken from this conversation today?

33:02 – Thank you.

“In Session” is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (www.safesupportivelearning.ed.gov) at The American Institutes for Research (www.air.org). This podcast is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

On this week’s episode of In Session, we talk to Stephanie Ellis, Ed.D, NCSP, a Mental Health School Professionals grant recipient, about the Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) initiative to implement a full continuum of social emotional and mental health support at Rockingham County Schools in North Carolina. For more information about Dr. Ellis and Rockingham County’s SEL work, see slides here.

01:05 – Introduction to Stephanie Ellis. Could you tell us about yourself and what led you to your current work?

03:32 – Could you tell us more about the impetus for establishing SISP and the social-emotional learning approach?

15:55 – How have you seen the program evolve? What have been some successes and challenges? What are you most proud of?

20:57 – How has the pandemic impacted your work? What resources have been helpful in responding to those challenges?

24:47 – What advice do you have for listeners? What can they learn from you?

28:40 – Thank you.

“In Session” is brought to you by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments at the American Institutes for Research. This podcast is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For all questions or feedback, you can email [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.