Resources

Utah State Board of Education (USBE)

Utah's School Behavioral Health Toolkit: Partnering to Address Mental and Emotional Wellness for School-aged Children (Coming soon)

School-based Mental Health Roles and Responsibilities in the Education Setting (Coming Soon)

Utah School Counseling Programs
USBE Prevention and At-Risk Programs

School-based Mental Health Requirements (Coming soon)

Utah State Board of Education (USBE) School-based Mental Health Contact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions (Coming soon)

Grant Opportunities

Elementary School Counselor Grant Program
USBE Prevention and At-Risk Programs

Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program Grant
USBE Prevention and At-Risk Programs

School-based Mental Health Qualified Grant Program (SBMHQGP)

School-based Mental Health Screening Grant (SBMHSG)

Community Partners

Mental Health Awareness Week

Back to School Toolkit
Mental Health America (MHA)

• There are free resources included in this toolkit that may help you plan a Mental Wellness week or event.

Local Mental Health Authorities

Location Map
Utah Department of Human Services

Additional Resources

Supporting Student Mental Health: Resources to Prepare Educators
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network

School-based Mental Health (SBMH) Screening Program

Policy

The SBMH Screening Program for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) was created in accordance with the following regulations:

• House Bill (H.B.) 323: School Mental Health Funding Amendments
  Utah State Legislature

• R277-625: Mental Health Screeners
  Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules

During the 2020 Legislative Session, H.B. 323 was sponsored by Representative Steve Eliason and Senator Ann Millner. This bill sets standards for participating LEAs to implement approved School-based Mental Health Screening Programs for students. A Notification of Intent is required for all LEAs who are conducting mental health screenings in any form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions School-based Mental Health Screening Program Concerning H.B.323 (2020)
Google Docs

Notification of Intent

Notification of Intent to Utilize Mental Health Screeners
Qualtrics

• Due May 1, 2022

Resources

Mental Health Screening Tool List

Proposed Mental Health Conditions for School-based Mental Health Screening Program H.B. 323, R277-625

School Mental Health Screening Programs Infographic (coming soon)

Definition

Mental health screener or screener means systematic tool or process;

1. to identify if a student is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, issues related to the student’s mental health;
2. for an early identification strategy to detect the onset of mental health conditions, enabling the mental health conditions to be potentially addressed; and
3. that is not:
1. a diagnostic tool or process; or
2. a system or process used by a student’s teacher to observe behavior for the purpose of targeted learning interventions.

Webinars

Annual Trainings

October 26, 2021
School-based Mental Health Screening Program Training Questionnaire - October 26, 2021
Google Forms

School-based Mental Health Screening Program Annual Training - 10/26/2021
YouTube

Mental Health Screening Program House Bill (H.B.) 323 (2020) and R277-625

Contacts

Michelle Knight
Utah State Board of Education
Phone: (610) 844-7771 | E-mail

Tiana McCall
Utah State Board of Education
Phone: (801) 538-7647 | E-mail

Scott Eyre
Utah Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (OSUMH)
Phone: (801) 450-2667 | E-mail

Tina Morandy
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7526 | E-mail

Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education (AWARE) Grant

Utah's Project AWARE aims to build a comprehensive approach model to school-based mental health to increase mental health literacy and support services to schools and communities. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) collaborates with behavioral health stakeholders across the state to improve mental health awareness and response. The four major goals in this project are:

1. Increase student education on mental wellness
2. Increase mental health screening for early identification
3. Increase access to mental health care
4. Increase educator training in mental health wellness, intervention, and crisis response

Interventions and services aligning to these goals are to implement evidence-based programs to improve school climate, link existing resources based on a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) behavioral health framework to support all students, and targeted services and support for American Indian/Alaskan Native students.

Applications for Utah’s Project AWARE closed in 2018. Of the applicants, three Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Alpine, Cache, and Jordan School Districts, were chosen for the 5-year grant, ending in September of 2023. If you are interested in more information regarding the AWARE grant, please visit:

• Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) State Education Agency Grants
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

For information regarding school-based mental health screening, please visit the School-based Mental Health Screening Program (SBMHSP).

Contacts

Michelle Knight
Project AWARE Grant Manager
Phone: (610) 844-7771 | E-mail

Shaleece Oldroyd
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7640 | E-mail

Trauma-Informed Practices

Trauma-informed practices recognize that trauma affects students, families, communities, and schools. Many children experience trauma amidst ongoing exposure throughout their early development, such as abuse, neglect, homelessness, or violence. Although not all exposure to trauma leads to difficulty in functioning, research tells us that exposure to trauma and toxic stress can lead to difficulties with learning and behavior. 

Schools are uniquely positioned to prevent and mitigate the impacts of trauma exposure on students. Promoting trauma-informed school practices has the greatest potential to positively impact positive student outcomes, regardless of trauma history. By becoming a trauma-sensitive school, schools can promote protective factors for students’ and increase their social, emotional, and academic skills, while safeguarding the well-being of school personnel who strive to meet the unique needs of all learners.

Trauma-Informed Resources

Training

Trauma Sensitive Schools

Visit the Trauma Sensitive Schools Professional Development page for details regarding online coursework via Canvas modules.

Overview of Trauma for Educators Training

Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)
Qualtrics

Submit requests for this training through the Student Services TRP Portal. Live training will be provided by a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) staff member.

Contacts

Tiana McCall
School Social Worker/School-based Mental Health Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7647 | E-mail

Shaleece Oldroyd
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7640 | E-mail

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL means the process through which students acquire and effectively:

• apply the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions;
• set and achieve positive goals;
• feel and show empathy for others;
• establish and maintain positive relationships;
• make responsible decisions;
• and self-advocate.

SEL is not a specific curriculum, but an ongoing process and initiative that schools may implement in order to create the culture and climate needed for students to feel safe, connected, and be successful in their academic pursuits.

Successful SEL initiatives increase student protective factors, help build essential skills that students need to be successful now and in the future, help students think critically, and enable students to work collaboratively with others.

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Contacts

Tanya Albornoz
Prevention and At-Risk Programs Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7812 | E-mail

Tandalaya Stitt
Administrative Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7631 | E-mail