School Mental Health Teaming for SY 20-21 – August 19, 2020

The session School Mental Health Teaming for SY 20-21 was held Wednesday, August 19 from 3:00-4:30PM and was presented by faculty from the National Center for School Mental Health. This session addressed culturally responsive best practices and strategies in teaming, including adaptations for the upcoming school year during COVID-19.  National best practice resources that support high quality teaming were shared and provided opportunities to discuss innovations, challenges, and successes occurring within the District of Columbia.

Celebrating Our Learnings and Practice Group Meetings – May 27, 2020

The Practice Groups met providing a space for members to problem-solve, practice applying new ideas and strategies, and exchange insights on what we’ve learned about how to meet our shared goals around school behavioral health. The session provided an opportunity for the CoP members to connect with each other and build a support system for our Community.

Social Emotional Learning: Beyond the School Walls - April 22, 2020

The D.C. School Behavioral Health Community of Practice virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, CoP Meeting: Social Emotional Learning: Beyond the School Walls. Rachel Sadlon (Center for Health and Health Care in Schools), Dr. Kenya Coleman (DCPS) and Lisa Shaw (School Talk), the leaders of the “Positive School Climate and Social and Emotional Learning” Practice Group, led the discussion about the strategies that promote positive school climate.

COVID-19 as a Grief Experience – May 20, 2020

DC CoP Virtual Meeting, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, was hosted by the Crisis Response and Intervention Practice Group in collaboration with the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing. The goal was to provide participants the tools needed for to: • Identify the signs and symptoms of grief. • Describe the styles of grieving. • Learn about grief and loss strategies and resources for supporting students, families, staff and ourselves. • Learn about self-care strategies.

The Ecology of Wellness - May 13, 2020

DC CoP Virtual Chat, Wednesday, May 13, 2020, explored ideas to sustain wellness by focusing on the individual, school, organization, and community-level interventions. A group of leaders shared their experiences with incorporating individual and organizational strategies to promote wellness for their staff, colleagues, clients, and themselves. Panel: • Brigham Kiplinger, Principal, Garrison Elementary School • Marisa Parrella, Director, School Based Mental Health Program, Mary’s Center • Tiffani Boykin, LPC, SBMH Therapist