County Schools Mental Health Coalition: A Model for a Systematic Approach to Supporting Youths

Abstract

The County Schools Mental Health Coalition, a collaborative among six independent school districts, was established to promote a coordinate and multidisciplinary initiative to implement a scientifically based model of assessment and prevention. This conceptual article discusses the model and describes the process and unique partnership approach to improving adolescent and youth functioning. The partnership includes a triannual countywide screening for all school-age youths (N = ~25,000), a common reporting process at multiple levels, evidence-based treatments mapped onto risk factors, and professional supports to assist school-based problem-solving teams to identify and provide scientifically based supports for all students as well as at-risk and in-risk youths across universal, selective, and indicated levels. Implementation activities across 53 schools using the processes are briefly described and authors provide case examples at each level to discuss preliminary impact. Discussion focuses on lessons learned from the early stages of this communitywide coalition to support youths and how the approach embodies the national school social work model and reflects the intent of national policies like Every Student Succeeds Act and the grand challenge to foster healthy development for all youths in schools.