Iowa School Mental Health Newsletter | November 2023
Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
The state's hub for school mental health research, professional development, and clinical services.
The Educator Wellness Podcast is Back for Season 2! Prioritize YOUR wellness to better care for your students and yourself. Dr. Kari Vogelgesang hosts nationally-recognized experts that help us explore and reflect on various dimensions of health and well-being. Take away strategies and tips to transcend wellness knowledge and practices into your classroom or school.
In episode 1?of season 2, Kari welcomes special guests Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts, 2019 National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson; and 2018 Iowa School Counselor of the Year Shelby Bryce.?Recorded live at the 2023 Iowa BEST Summit, the panel unpacks how to build caring school communities and how our complex education system can shift to better support educators, students, and families.?
Bonus! You can?earn 1 free Iowa Licensure Renewal Credit for listening and reflecting on each of the 8 episodes in Season 2. Episodes will be released monthly on the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health YouTube channel or your favorite podcasting platform.?
News to Use
We're excited to announce the 100 Iowa paraeducators who were recently selected for a new mental health training fellowship.?Paraeducators will participate in in-person trainings and online digital courses to develop skills in mental health literacy, relationship-building, suicide screening, immediate crisis response, and restorative practices. Learn more about this first-of-its-kind fellowship and the 100 paraeducators!?
Didn't make it to the 2023 Iowa BEST Summit? No worries! Dr. Allison Bruhn shares 3 inspiring takeaways from the event that will give you hope and hands-on ideas for fostering caring school communities. Learn why collaboration is key to creating a culture of caring,?the need to go beyond personal wellness to achieve true well-being, and how to recognize your own power in impacting students' lives.
Research Updates
School Mental Health Practice Briefs turn the latest school mental health research into practical strategies for PreK-12 schools and classrooms. In “Moving Upstream: Opportunities in School Mental Health," Sharon Hoover, Ph.D., Co-Director, National Center for School Mental Health, presents 5 opportunities fundamental to achieving the ultimate goal of promoting mental health and well-being for all youth. Downloadable PDF and video also available!?
Join us Thursday, November 16 from 12 - 1 p.m. CT either in-person or on Zoom! Hear from experts on?“The Importance of Civic Participation in Rural Communities" (Carolyn Colvin, Ph.D.) and “Building Capacity for Staff and Student Mental Health Programming: A Partnership Between Switch and the Healthiest State Initiative"?(Sally Shaver DuBois?and Greg Welk, Ph.D.). Free lunch for in-person attendees.?RSVP by Friday,?November 10.?
Professional Development
We deliver professional development that helps PreK-12 schools/districts create rich learning environments rooted in staff and student well-being. Iowa teachers can earn Iowa Licensure Renewal Units through select training.?See all upcoming offerings.
?? Wednesday, November 8 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
In this online presentation, we will discuss contemporary approaches to bullying prevention, including evidence-based practices for all learners. Topics will include risk and protective factors, warning signs, universal recommendations, and targeted interventions.
?? Thursday, November 9 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
?This webinar will walk you through 5, research-tested mindfulness practices to use with elementary students including Check-In, Breath Work, Movement, Guided Mindfulness Practice, and Close of Practice. Through interactive practices, you will learn about each mindfulness practice, and how they can be combined into a lesson and separated into short brain breaks.
?? Monday, November 13 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Join us to discuss the online social involvement among school-aged youth. Specifically, we will unpack phone use, social media activity, associations with mental health and development, and intervention and supports to improve the overall outcomes for youth.
?? Tuesday, November 14 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
There is no one-size fits all approach in education. Much like how educators adapt to different learning needs, our education environments must similarly adapt to support students who have or are experiencing trauma. This learning session will focus on more advanced trauma informed classroom practices and discuss Tier 2 responses in the learning environment.
?? Monday, November 27 from 5 - 6:30 p.m.?
Trauma-informed learning environments have the potential to benefit all students, from those experiencing complex trauma to those experiencing struggles from typical child development. This learning session will begin with an overview of the impact of trauma on the learner and the learning environment, followed by introduction to and practical application of core trauma-informed skills.
In-Person: 2024 Iowa BEST Summit?
?? Sunday, September 15 - Monday, September 16
Iowa City, Iowa
?Save the date for the 2024 Iowa BEST (Behavioral, Equitable, Social-Emotional, Trauma-Informed Health in Schools) Summit, the state's premier school mental health-focused professional development event of the year. More details coming Spring 2024.?
Online: School Mental Health Professional Learning Modules
On your time, at your pace.
?Learn from national social-emotional-behavioral health experts in a convenient, online format. Our self-paced modules include topics such as: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports; Establishing Bully-Free Classrooms and Schools; Self-Care Regimen for Educators; Trauma Informed Restorative Practices; and more. Earn 1 Iowa Licensure Renewal Credit with completion of 6 modules!
More mental well-being supports for educators and students?
A resource to help Iowa educators and students find a therapist.?Welltrack Connect?- a free resource for PreK-12 educators and students in Iowa - streamlines referrals and makes it easy to search for and contact licensed therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatric medication providers. Educators and students can search on:?scsmh.org.welltrack-connect.com.
All PreK-12 educators in Iowa have free, immediate access to?Togetherall, an anonymous, 24/7 digital?mental?health?and peer support community that is monitored by?mental?health?professionals.?Togetherall provides an online community where educators can share feelings and experiences in a confidential space with those who understand what they’re going through.
Stay up to date on the latest school mental health offerings by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Youtube.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela ?? Enhancing #schoolmentalhealth and engaging in #professionaldevelopment are crucial steps on that journey. ?? By the way, Treegens is excited about the upcoming Guinness World Record for Tree Planting sponsorship opportunity, a perfect blend of education, wellness, and making history! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord ???
?? "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela. Couldn't agree more! Subscribing to your November newsletter sounds like a fantastic way to kickstart personal and professional growth this season. ????? Let's make it a November to remember by diving deep into #professionaldevelopment and #schoolmentalhealth!