New Opportunity for CT Schools to Strengthen Student Mental Health Supports
When it comes to student mental health, many schools and districts wish they had more time to plan, evaluate, follow up, and do more to prevent students' behavior and symptoms from escalating. But with youth mental health needs increasing nationwide since the pandemic, many schools and districts report feeling like they're stuck in "crisis" mode.
CHDI works with schools and districts in Connecticut and beyond to help them strengthen their mental health systems and supports using a Comprehensive School Mental Health (CSMH) approach. This proactive, team-based approach helps schools and districts strengthen collaboration with community-based services, increase behavioral health knowledge among all staff and students, implement trauma-informed, evidence-based supports, and build a culture that supports the well-being of the entire school community.
CONNECTing Schools to Care IV Students
We are currently recruiting Connecticut schools to participate in a new, federally-funded, multi-year CSMH initiative: CONNECTing Schools to Care IV Students. The goal of CONNECT IV is to expand and sustain the state's behavioral health system for children through expansion of trauma-informed, comprehensive school mental health supports, ensuring youth are linked to equitable and appropriate services and supports.
Goals for Participating Schools Include:
Integration
Strengthen integration between school and community-based behavioral health network of care
Knowledge
Increase staff and family knowledge of behavioral health and available services
Capacity
Increase capacity to access and utilize behavioral health resources and supports
School mental health
Implement equitable and comprehensive school mental health supports
Schools and districts can apply to participate at three different levels, based on their need and capacity:
Level 1 Schools will receive:
- A School Mental Health Needs Assessment using the SHAPE System
- Technical Assistance from CHDI
- SHAPE Results Review
Level 2 Schools will receive:
- All Level 1 components
- An implementation plan with custom goals based on your SHAPE results
- Behavioral health training opportunities for staff and families
- Regional learning communities
Level 3 Schools will receive:
- All Level 1 and 2 components
- Ongoing technical assistance and support throughout the year
- Quality improvement and evaluation support
- Implementation of a peer support program (middle & high schools only)
Level 1 Schools will receive:
- A School Mental Health Needs Assessment using the SHAPE System
- Technical Assistance from CHDI
- SHAPE Results Review
Level 2 Schools will receive:
- All Level 1 components
- An implementation plan with custom goals based on your SHAPE results
- Behavioral health training opportunities for staff and families
- Regional learning communities
Level 3 Schools will receive:
- All Level 1 and 2 components
- Ongoing technical assistance and support throughout the year
- Quality improvement and evaluation support
- Implementation of a peer support program (middle & high schools only)
Funding incentives
Funding incentives are available based on the school's level of participation.
Schools participating in CONNECT IV will also have opportunities to incorporate other CHDI-led practices and initiatives into their school mental health plans over time, such as piloting a new peer support program, evidence-based practices like CBITS and Bounce Back, and the Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative.
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About CONNECT IV
CONNECT IV is the fourth phase of the state's Connecting to Care initiative, made possible through a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). CONNECT partners include CHDI, Carelon Behavioral Health, FAVOR, Inc., The Consultation Center at Yale, and DCF.
Learn More About Connecting to Care