Overview
School-based Mental Health (SBMH) encompasses promoting wellness, social, emotional, and behavioral health, and coping skills necessary for meeting life's challenges. The mission and purpose of schools is learning and having comprehensive school-based mental health services contributes to those outcomes. Students whose mental wellness is supported have better outcomes in school and in life. SBMH services support a positive school climate and are available to all students in a multi-tiered system of support. SBMH Service Providers collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams to increase access to early identification of mental health needs. They also help support students and their families overcome barriers in accessing mental health services by connecting families to services within the school setting or through community partners.
School that have a comprehensive SBMH program can provide supports for students and families at all levels.
Please visit the Resources tab for more information about SBMH models.
Office Hours
Please book a time if you have questions regarding SBMH services.
Contacts
Resources
Utah State Board of Education (USBE)
Utah’s School Behavioral Health Toolkit Collaborating to Address Mental and Emotional
Wellness for School Aged Children
Note: For all the features to work in this document, it is best to download it first.
School-based Mental Health Roles and Responsibilities in the Education Setting (Coming Soon)
Parent and Educator Mental Health Resource List
Utah School Counseling Programs
USBE Prevention
Social Emotional Learning - A Utah State Board of Education Technical Assistance Document
USBE Prevention
Grant Opportunities
Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Grant
USBE Educator Preparation
School-based Mental Health Qualifying Grant Program (SBMHQGP)
USBE Student Services
School-based Mental Health Screening Grant (SBMHSG)
USBE Student Services
Community Partners
Mental Health Awareness
Back to School Toolkit
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- There are free resources included in this toolkit that may help you plan a Mental Wellness event.
Local Mental Health Authorities
Location Map
Utah Department of Human Services
School-based Mental Health (SBMH) Screening Program
Overview
Utah Code Section 53F-2-522 sets standards for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to implement approved mental health screening programs for students. The legislature has appropriated funding for all participating LEAs within the program. Funding will be provided to all participating LEAs based on the previous year's average daily membership count. To learn more about the grant funding available, visit the School-based Mental Health Screening Grant webpage.
Program Requirements
Record of Determination
House Bill (H.B.) 413: Student Mental Health Amendments (2024) requires an LEA governing board to submit a record of determination to the State Board whether the LEA will be a participating LEA or a non-participating LEA for the 2024-2025 school year by August 1, 2024, and each year after. A survey will be sent out to all Superintendents and Charter School Directors to make their determination. A primary contact must be designated for those participating in the program.
"Participating LEA" means an LEA that has an approved screening program described in statute and rule.
"Non-participating LEA" means an LEA that does not administer an approved mental health screening program described in statute and rule.
- 2024-2025 School Year: Due August 1, 2024
Training
All participating LEAs shall require one or more relevant staff, who will be administering a mental health screener, to attend an annual mental health screener training before screening efforts begin each school year. This training is available via USBE Canvas for participating LEAs for the 2024-2025 school year.
2024-2025 School-based Mental Health Screening
Canvas
Reporting Requirements
All participating LEAs are required to complete an end of year report to demonstrate the results of their mental health screening program.
School-based Mental Health Screening Data Reporting Requirements
All Participating LEAs
- Number of students screened
- Number of students exhibiting a mental health concern out of total screened
- Format for conducting mental health screening (grade level/classroom, whole LEA)
- Number of schools in LEA conducting screening
- Number of students referred to services and interventions within the school setting as a result of screening
- Number of students referred to services with outside agency
- Types of mental health interventions provided by the LEA
- Number of referrals provided to outside private providers
- Other actions taken based on screener results such as no outside referral made, academic accommodations, crisis intervention, parent consultation, etc.
- Number of parents reimbursed for mental health services (if applicable)
- How funds were utilized
- Whether funds received were sufficient for the LEA’s needs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) School-based Mental Health Screening Program and
Grant
Google Docs
Resources
School-based Mental Health Screening Guidebook: Implementation Plan
Approved Mental Health Screening Tool List
Approved Mental Health Conditions for School-based Mental Health Screening Program R277-625
School-based Mental Health Screening Program and Grant Requirements
Google Doc
School-based Mental Health Screening Tool LEA Request Form Application
Contacts
School-based Mental Health (SBMH) Licensing
School Social Worker Licensing
- If a Social Worker possesses a valid Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) license, they are not obligated to hold an educator license to be employed within the school system. While this license grants them the ability to work in any school, pursuing training in school systems and supports is advantageous as it enhances their capacity to effectively address the needs of students.
- The DOPL Social Worker license is always awarded at the Associate level, with a 2-year renewal cycle and expires on the date the DOPL license expires.
- Administrative Steps: For funding, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must verify the validity of DOPL licenses, set up Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS) accounts, and submit necessary information in Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS).
*Some LEAs do require a School Social Work Professional Educator License (PEL), but this is not required by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE).
Resources
- School Social Work AEL Requirements
- LER Application Checklist
- School Social Work Alt Route Requirements
Contact
Terrakay Bodily
School-based Mental Health Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7647
Email
School Psychologist Licensing
School Psychologists are licensed through USBE under Board Rule R277-301. The scope of a school psychologist is therefore different from the scope of a psychologist licensed through DOPL. Individuals providing psychological evaluation services for students with disabilities must hold a Utah education license for school psychologists of State licensure and meet the assessment publisher's criteria for administration (USBE Special Education Rules (SER) IX.I.7). School psychologist licensing requirements are found in Board Rule R277-306.
Candidates for the Level 1 School Psychologist License area should have completed at least an approved master's degree or equivalent certification program consisting of 60 semester (90 quarter) hours in school psychology at an accredited institution and passed the Praxis School Psychology Licensing Exam. Current certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist by the National Association of School Psychology (NASP) Certification Board can be accepted in lieu of requirements for the Level 1 license.
Candidates for Level 2 School Psychologist License should satisfy the above requirement for Level 1 School Psychologist License, completed two years of successful experience as a school psychologist under a Level 1 School Psychologist License area of concentration or equivalent, and be recommended by the employing LEA with consultation from a teacher education institution.
Resources
School Psychology Program Overview
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Medical History and Professional Licensing Requirements for Special Education Eligibility
Guidelines
USBE Special Education
Contact
Casey Dupart
School Psychology / Behavior Support Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7804
Email
School Counseling Licensing
For more information visit the School Counseling Licensing page.
Contact
Bethany Marker
School Counseling Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7929
Email
School-based Mental Health (SBMH) Laws and Policies
Utah Code Section 53F-2-415: Student Health and Counseling Support -- Qualifying Personnel
Utah State Legislature
Utah Code Section 58-60-101: Mental Health Professional Practice Act
Utah State Legislature
Utah Code Section 58-60-102: Mental Health Professional Act
Utah State Legislature
House Concurrent Resolution (H.C.R.) 6: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Mental Health
Support in Schools
Utah State Legislature
House Bill (H.B.) 250: Social Worker Licensing Amendments (2023)
Utah State Legislature
H.B. 281: Health Curriculum and Procedures Amendments (2025)
Utah State Legislature
H.B. 403: Student Mental Health Amendments (2023)
Utah State Legislature
R156-60-101: Mental Health Professional Practice Act Rule
Utah Office of Administrative Rules
R156-60a-101: Social Work Licensing Act Rule
Utah Office of Administrative Rules
R277-306: Educator Preparation Programs for School Psychologists, Audiologists, Speech-Language
Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians, Counselors, and School Social Workers
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
R277-313: Student Support License Areas of Concentration
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
R277-622: School-based Mental Health Qualifying Grant Program
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
Visit the Student Services Laws and Policies page for additional information.
Professional Learning
Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP) is an online tool for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to request specific Professional Learning (PL) and Technical Assistance (TA) support from the USBE. The information submitted is used to help coordinate PL and TA across the state to ensure that LEA needs are addressed and met in an efficient manner.
Trauma Sensitive Schools
Visit the Trauma Sensitive Schools Professional Learning page for details regarding online coursework via Canvas modules.
Submit requests for these trainings through the TRP. Live training will be provided by a USBE staff member.
Utah's School Behavioral Health Toolkit Webinars
USBE and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services have worked in partnership to create Utah’s School Behavioral Health Toolkit Collaborating to Address Mental and Emotional Wellness for School-Aged Children (download first for all features to function).
The following is a 6-part webinar training series which provides an introduction to the 5-stage framework and guiding principles found within the toolkit, along with a drilled down examination of each of the 5 stages and how they can support efforts in advancing school-based behavioral health in Utah communities.
0.5 license renewal hour is available to participants who complete the required content questions and evaluation (questionnaire listed for each webinar) and provide their Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS) Identification Number or Massively Integrated Data Analytics System (MIDAS) number.
- Overview Webinar
- Questionnaire for License Renewal Hours (Google Docs)
- Stage 1: Assessment of System Needs
- Questionnaire for License Renewal Hours (Google Docs)
- Stage 2: Building Capacity
- Questionnaire for License Renewal Hours (Google Docs)
- Stage 3: Planning
- Questionnaire for License Renewal Hours (Google Docs)
- Stage 4: Implementation
- Questionnaire for License Renewal Hours (Google Docs)
- Stage 5: Evaluation
- Questionnaire for License Renewal Hours (Google Docs)
The full playlist can be found at Utah’s School Behavioral Health Toolkit Webinars.
YouTube
For more information regarding these trainings, contact Ashley Lower (ashley.lower@schools.utah.gov) or Terrakay Bodily (terrakay.bodily@schools.utah.gov).
Submit requests for this training through the Student Services TRP. Live training will be provided by a USBE staff member.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children ages 12-18. YMHFA is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people, such as teachers, parents, and school staff. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to connect youth with help in both crisis and non-crisis situations. To learn more, download the Mental Health First Aid for Youth information sheet.
Submit requests for this training through the Student Services TRP. Live training will be provided by a USBE staff member.