MENTAL HEALTH (AND OTHER) Hal Kronsberg MD SUPPORTS IN THE SCHOOLS
INTRODUCTION Faculty at Johns Hopkins Former 7 th grade public school teacher Team psychiatrist for Baltimore City Public Schools’ Expanded School-based Mental Health Program
BALTIMORE’S SCHOOL -BASED Community Partnered Model MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
PARTNERING WITH BCPS Most BCPS schools have partnered with a community provider for mental health services Services provided Individual therapy Medication management Wellness and prevention groups for students Collaboration with schools Joining IEP and SST meetings Informal consultations to teachers and social workers Who we served Kids K-12 in selected schools Not all students have eligibility (Medical Assistance only, some IEP services will prevent authorization)
ADAPTING TO COVID-19 All visits now via Zoom Continuing treatment with existing students and also seeing and evaluating new students Therapists will start having “Open Office Hours” once school resumes Therapists are actively joining Student Support Team meetings
ACCESSING OUR SERVICES Any number of school personnel may help facilitate a referral Individualized Educational Program chair Student Support Team chair Principals or Vice Principals Any member of the school’s mental health team (social worker or psychologist)
SUPPORTS AND INFORMATION The BCPS Plan DIRECTLY FROM THE SCHOOLS
REACHING OUT Communications plan Frequent updates through the district web pages Lots of virtual events How best to address an issue: Start by contacting the school directly Homework and Technology Help Desk - (443)984-2001 Special Education Parent Response Unit - (443)984-1561 Contact the district office
FROM THE REOPENING PLAN – SPECIAL SUPPORTS Selective Reopening “As we continue to monitor health and safety guidelines, City Schools may prioritize certain groups of students (i.e. English learners, students with disabilities, etc) to bring back in a face-to- face small group setting.” (p. 37) Student Support Teams Plans for virtual SST meetings and plan to provide parents with a guide to the process
FROM THE REOPENING PLAN – SPECIAL SUPPORTS For English Learners “Virtual workshops will be held to help families of ELs understand and support their students during virtual learning. . . . Families new to the district will be provided assistance by the Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center through both virtual and targeted in-person student assessment and enrollment session.” (p. 38) Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center: MESC@bcps.k12.md.us or 443- 984-2000
FROM THE REOPENING PLAN – SPECIAL SUPPORTS Individualized Education Program (IEP) “Where appropriate, and to ensure equitable access to instruction, IEPs will be amended or revised to reflect appropriate accommodations and modifications based on students’ individualized needs and the service delivery model that will be provided during virtual learning.” (p. 39) “Related services (social work, psychological, speech and language, vision, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) will be provided by the provider via push in and pull out in a virtual setting and (when safe to implement) hybrid setting as identified on the IEP. The services will be provided via tele- heath, using City Schools’ approved digital platform.” (p. 40)
FROM THE REOPENING PLAN – SPECIAL SUPPORTS City Schools will identify centralized assessment centers to administer in-person assessments by appointment and adhering to CDC and local health guidelines (when safe to implement). (p. 4) Getting an evaluation for an IEP Calling “Child Find” at 443 -984-1011 or completing an online form at https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/special-education Submitting a signed letter to your school requesting an evaluation for an Individualized Education Program
OTHER NEEDS Connectivity Comcast Internet Essentials – free or reduced price internet for City School student families State Broadband for Underserved Students grant – still working out the details of using the funds BCPS is disturbing 10,000 internet hotspots – contact your school A “mesh network” is being built in four neighborhoods to broadcast City Schools internet through neighborhoods (still in pilot phase) Food services “Grab N Go” meal service will be at 50% of school buildings Food Truck mobile meal routes to support high density neighborhoods will start in late fall Home delivery will be made to families who are sick or quarantined
Recommend
More recommend
