School Mental Health

KSDE has many resources available, such as:

• Social Emotional Character Development: Standards, Assessment and Instruction
• Social-Emotional Growth
• Kansans Can Competency Framework (External link (TASN))
• ESI Regulations Cheat Sheet (External link (TASN))
• Recognizing Child Sexual Abuse and Mandated Reporting e-Learning Module (External link (TASN))

Non-KSDE resources

• A Guide to Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (External PDF)
• Child Protective Services Mandated Reporter Training (YouTube video)
• Tips for Making Online Report of Abuse or Neglect (External PDF)

School Counseling page

Licensure for School Counselors is done by Teacher Licensure. Licensure questions should be sent to: TLALicense@ksde.org or by phone 785-296-2288.

Approved Educator Preparation Programs may be found on page: https://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=408

The School Psychologist' s task is to serve the educational and mental health interests of all children and youth. School psychologists make important contributions to the social, emotional and academic development of students by serving as advocates for good mental health and safe and supportive learning environments. Working as partners with parents, educators and fellow mental health professionals, school psychologists help students reach optimal levels of achievement and well-being.

School psychologists work to find the best solution for each child and each situation. School psychologists use many different strategies to address individual student needs, as well as enhance systems that support students on the school building and district-wide levels. They lower barriers to healthy learning and behavior. (wording from the Central Kansas Cooperative in Education website)

Licensure for School Psychologists is done by Teacher Licensure. Licensure questions should be sent to: TLALicense@ksde.org or by phone 785-296-2288.

Approved Educator Preparation Programs may be found on page: https://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=408

KSDE School Psychologist Listserv: Email Trish Backman at tbackman@ksde.org and request to be added.

Kansas Association of School Psychologists (external link)
The Kansas Association of School Psychologists is a state-wide professional organization of school psychologists. Membership is open to school psychologists, as well as faculty and students in graduate training programs

School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. School social workers are instrumental in furthering the mission of the schools which is to provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence. School social workers are hired by school districts to enhance the district's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success. ​(text taken from School Social Work Association of America)

Social Workers are not licensed by KSDE, even if their employment is with a school district.
Social workers are licensed by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) (external link).

Kansas School Social Workers Association Listserv: Email Trish Backman at tbackman@ksde.org and request to be added.

Kansas Association of School Social Workers (external link)
A professional organization dedicated to promoting school social workers through advocacy, professional development and communication within the profession.

School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) (external link)
The School Social Work Association of America empowers school social workers and promotes the profession to enhance the social and emotional growth and academic outcomes of all students nationally and globally.

Resources for Social Workers

SSWAA Resolution Statement-School Social Workers’ Role in Addressing Students’ Mental Health Needs and Increasing Academic Achievement (external PDF)

SSWAA Resolution Statement-School Social Work and Common Core: Aligning Practice with National Standards (external PDF)

SSWAA School Social Workers' Role in Addressing Students'Mental Health Needs and Increasing Academic Achievement (external PDF)

Suicide Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration and Postvention (A toolkit for Kansas schools) (PDF)
     Training Video (YouTube) / Worksheet (PDF)

Training, Education, and Programming

• Planning Tool PDF / Word
• School Mental Health Team (SMHT) Identification Tool PDF / Word
• Risk Factors for Youth Suicide
• School and Community Resource Template PDF / Word

Identifying and Responding to Suicide Risk in Schools (Intervention)

• Parent/Guardian Notification (PDF)
• Suicide Screening and Response Protocol PDF / Word
• Collaborating with Families after Screening (PDF)
• Parent Contact Acknowledgement Form-Sample PDF / Word
• Guidelines for Releasing Information (PDF)
• Release of Information (ROI)-Sample PDF / Word
• Stanley-Brown Safety Plan-Adapted PDF / Word
• Student Suicide Intervention Documentation Form-Sample PDF / Word

Facilitating a Student’s Return to School (Reintegration)

• Student Support Plan for Returning to School-Sample PDF / Word
• Reintegration Checklist PDF / Word

Postvention for Staff or Student Loss

• Postvention Response Checklist PDF / Word
• Guidelines for Working with the Family (PDF)
• Best Practices for Memorialization Policies (PDF)
• Considerations for Long-Term Support (PDF)
• Considerations for Anniversaries of Crisis Events (PDF)

Non-Suicide / Not Permitted to Disclose

• Inquiry Response Protocol (PDF)
• Notify All Staff of a Death (PDF)
• Notifying All Students of a Death (PDF)
• Supporting All Students Through Grief (PDF)
• Communicating with Students (PDF)
• Communicating with Families (PDF)
• Guidelines for Media Interactions (PDF)
• Monitoring Social Media (PDF)

Suicide / Permitted to Disclose

• Inquiry Response Protocol (PDF)
• Notify All Staff of a Death (PDF)
• Notifying All Students of a Death (PDF)
• Supporting All Students Through Grief (PDF)
• Communicating with Students (PDF)
• Communicating with Families (PDF)
• Guidelines for Media Interactions (PDF)
• Monitoring Social Media (PDF)