June 10th, 2023

More mental health professionals and training for staff

We do not have enough mental health professionals in our buildings. I believe we need adjustment counselors (Tier 2/3) as well as counselors who can provide Tier 1 SEL. School counselors as well as teachers need PD in how to identify if a student needs to be referred to an adjustment counselor. SO many students fly under the radar because they aren't disruptive, then we find them in crisis because there wasn't an earlier intervention. We need our students to get to know our counselors (school and adjustment) so they feel comfortable reaching out if they need help. It can't just be adjustment counselors supporting T2 and T3 students. Everyone is stretched thin - we need more permanent funding for more staff, training, and time for staff to learn. Additionally, teachers need more in-class help. We are all still suffering the effects Covid, and we are witnessing this through behaviors in the classroom. We need smaller class sizes or more staff in classrooms.
Students cannot learn if they are struggling with their mental health, and yet teachers have this immense pressure on them to get through the curriculum and teach to the test.

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Hi Kristin:

Thanks for joining our conversation and sharing your experience. If you were in charge of the state school board, how would you tackle this challenge? Given budget realities, would funding for more adjustment counselors require cuts elsewhere? How would you prioritize that?

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