Miami-Dade County Public Schools has established a Department of Mental Health Services to coordinate and facilitate services between schools and community agencies and ensure students who are referred for mental healthcare and treatment are accessing services. The plan came to fruition after the passing of Senate Bill 7026, which allocated approximately $6.2 million to the district for the establishment or expansion of mental health services.
The new department also includes the following:
• Hiring 30 Mental Health Coordinators/Social Workers to assist schools with a more rapid identification of students in need of mental health services and screenings.
• 40 additional mental health providers being hired by The Children’s Trust to assist schools with a more rapid identification of students in need of mental health services and screenings.
• Expanding partnerships with outside agencies to strengthen the collaboration between schools and community to provide a full continuum of services.
• All schools will have a Threat Assessment Team and a Mental Health Team to discuss students who may need mental health services and direct these students to school and community resources to get the assistance needed.
• School-site teachers and staff will participate in the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, an eight-hour program designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents, which teaches the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges. These trainings begin on the two Teacher Planning Days scheduled for Sept. 10 and 19.
New students registering must report previous mental health issues so schools can follow up and ensure necessary support and services are provided. Additional programs will be developed that support efforts to identify, report and prevent bullying; provide sensitivity training in the areas of race, gender, socio economic status, linguistic differences and disabilities; and provide a culture of respect.
For additional information call 305-995-7100.
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