Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
8 <br /> student to student relationships Additional priorities for this position would include offering direct skill <br /> building experiences to students in the areas of executive functioning skills, de-escalation, and problem <br /> solving. The estimated cost of implementing three Social and Emotional Learning Specialists totals <br /> $240,000. <br /> Three years ago, the Board approved adding four mental health specialists, one for each high school, to <br /> address the mental health needs of our students. This addition was driven by the need to offer a continuum <br /> of services in advancing school-based mental health awareness, quality prevention,intervention, and other <br /> supports provided to students, staff and families. During the pandemic, mental health specialists were able <br /> to offer additional counseling sessions to students to address needs varying from dealing with acute stress <br /> and trauma to increasing executive functioning skills. Mental Health Specialists provide clinical and <br /> practical knowledge in the areas of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy <br /> (DBT), Individual, Group, and Family Modalities and Mindfulness, all of which offer tiers II and III <br /> supports for our students. Data collected this school year indicates that elementary and middle school <br /> students could benefit from consideration of increased school-based mental health staff. The estimated <br /> total cost of implementing a part time mental health specialist at each elementary and middle school <br /> would be$560,000 in salaries and benefits for the 7 positions. <br /> In total, this estimated budget request item includes 10 positions to expand the District's SEL and Mental <br /> Health services. The three SEL Specialists at an estimated cost $240,000, and the 7 Mental Health <br /> Specialists at the elementary and middle school levels will cost $560,000. The estimated total cost for <br /> these positions will be $800,000. Remaining funding of$68,500 will be used for professional learning, <br /> curriculum development, and program evaluation. <br /> Key Performance Indicators <br /> Key performance indicators are critical to measuring progress toward intended results. CHCCS <br /> Assessment and Research department will lead the work in this area to ensure we have evidence of <br /> progress towards addressing the needs of students.Key indicators will be used to inform decision making <br /> and performance change over time, and to track the overall effectiveness of the listed mental health <br /> supports on student success. Key performance indicators to be measured over time include: <br /> - SEL Universal Screener Student Surveys <br /> - Service Access and Delivery Measures by Student Groups <br /> - Measure of student referrals for specific infractions to be determined by Assessment and <br /> Research Department <br /> - Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire or a similar instrument <br />