Understanding School Mental Health Practices and Trauma-Informed Approaches: A Central Valley Convening

Date: October 6, 2017
Location: Fresno, CA

The California School-Based Health Alliance and REL West presented a day-long event designed to address how schools and clinics can work together to address the needs of children or youth who experience mental health challenges, including those who are impacted by trauma. The convening included presentations and workshops to ground participants in the science of how mental health impacts student learning, health, and development, and what works in classrooms and clinics to help them succeed. Breakout sessions explored how educators and healthcare providers can create environments that support the mental health and well-being of all youth and students. Participants:

• Learned about how trauma and mental health challenges affect students’ learning, health, and development;
• Developed a deeper understanding of how to provide integrated mental health supports in education and healthcare systems; and
• Engaged in discussion with colleagues about multiple strategies for supporting mental health work in schools and school-based health centers, including how to leverage funding opportunities, build collaborative support teams, provide integrated mental health services, and practice self-care.

The event was the first annual convening of its kind in the Central Valley. It was conducted in response to feedback generated through the Central Valley Rural Education and Health Alliance on topics of interest for supporting students and families in the region.

Resources

• Event Agenda
• Video: Trauma-Informed Approaches: A Central California Convening Keynote Presentation Highlights
• Video: Voices from the Field: The Importance of Trauma-Informed Practices

Audience

Education and healthcare practitioners, including student support services staff, school mental health services providers, school and School Based Health Center (SBHC) nurses, and school staff in California’s Central Valley.