Webinar: School Mental Health: A Federal Perspective 

The Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration) and the IDEA Partnership (funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), sponsored by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education) are pleased to present a school mental health webinar, Now is the Time: The President’s Proposals to Improve School Climate, Mental Health Services, School Safety and Emergency Planning, on January 30, 2:00p.m.-3:15p.m. EST.

 Presenters:

David Esquith, Director for the Office of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), U.S. Department of Education.

 Ingrid Donato, Branch Chief, Mental Health Promotion, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

 Presentation Description:

Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, the President put forward a number of initiatives aimed at making schools and communities safer and to increase access to mental health services in his plan, Now is the Time. As he said, “We won’t be able to stop every violent act, but if there is even one thing we can do to prevent any of these events, we have a deep obligation, all of us, to try.” This session will provide an overview of federal efforts that have already been put in place, as well as those that have been proposed for the upcoming years. The presenters will also provide participants with information about other existing federal initiatives to prevent youth violence and promote positive student outcomes. Presenters will discuss strategies that support students, schools, and communities as well as highlight the importance of cross-system partnerships.