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.

NEW: Tools from Utah’s School Behavioral Health Toolkit Collaborating to Address Mental and Emotional Wellness for School Aged Children

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

Utah School Counseling Programs 
USBE Prevention

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

Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program Grant 
USBE Prevention

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

Overview

Utah Section Code 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

H.B. 413 (2024) Student Mental Health Amendments 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 will be available via USBE Canvas on August 1, 2024 for participating LEAs for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

Contacts

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) (coming soon).

Contacts

 

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

 

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Overview
USBE Prevention