Approved: February 12, 2020 453.7
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
The Evansville Community School District Board of Education believes in the importance of programs and services that support the mental health and wellbeing of students and families. The School District’s programs and services contribute to building a safe and healthy learning environment that increases student achievement. Further, ECSD is committed to support students to maintain positive mental health and eliminate barriers that impede this wellness.
With the purpose of social-emotional learning and well-being in mind, the District shall:
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Cultivate a positive school climate.
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Implement sustainable social, emotional and behavioral practices across the District to identify, implement and streamline efforts to respond to student needs.
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Actively collaborate with students, families, staff and outside agencies to assist students who struggle with mental health.
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Ensure, through their equitable practices, all students’ and families’ cultures and identities are valued in order to eliminate predictable patterns in discipline data by gender, race, disability status and/or any other category.
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Deliver instruction formally and informally on social, emotional and behavioral skills to students. This starts with teaching and developing clear, appropriate and consistent expectations and continues with ongoing instructions on the skills our students need in school and life.
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Encourage positive practices that promote learning from challenges and conflicts.
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Staff will be provided information on how to identify signs of mental health symptoms and the procedures for appropriate response. Any signs or reports of signs from a student or staff member shall follow District policies and procedures including student and staff confidentiality.
School-Based Mental Health:
The District shall work with licensed clinical behavioral health providers to facilitate School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) services for ECSD students within the hours of the school day and on school grounds.
The purpose of the SBMH Program is to:
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Eliminate barriers through improved accessibility (such as transportation)
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Provide timely access to services and treatment
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Engage students and family members in mental health services offered by licensed clinical staff
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Ensure coordination and communication of treatment and services with parent or guardian consent
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Improve school performance
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Maximize a student’s attendance
Nondiscrimination Protections
The District shall exclusively enter into agreements with health clinics and/or providers that agree to abide by the District’s Equal Educational Opportunities Policy. The District shall prohibit the practice of “Conversion Therapy” (as defined by the American Psychological Association) by school branch office therapists.
Local Ref: Policy #411 – Equal Educational Opportunities
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