Project Overview

Reach: K-12 students in Central Alabama

Goal: Support school districts as they build more comprehensive, evidence-based mental health support systems by enhancing training, assessment and mental health services.

Primary Metrics: Number of school district staff receiving training; number of incidents in which crisis de-escalation techniques are successfully applied; number of successful referrals to mental health services for treatment

Partners: Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Gateway, Central Alabama School Districts, JBS Mental Health, St. Vincent’s Health System, Eastside Mental Health

Work to Date:

In early 2017, participating school districts worked with the National Center for Health and Healthcare in Schools to identify cross-district opportunities focused on staff training, assessment opportunities to identify student mental health needs and school-based treatment services. Phase I implementation of Mental Health Training will begin in 2018 and focus on school district employee training in crisis de-escalation techniques and a train-the-trainer program for districts on mental health awareness and support. Implementation of Phases II & III is expected in 2018-2019 and will include Mental Health Screening & Assessment and Mental Health Services.