Expanded school mental health family involvement

This chapter seeks to characterize and define best practices of family involvement in expanded school mental health programs. Barriers to care and strategies for the development of a framework for integrating families into their children s care will be presented. The chapter addresses unique aspects of family involvement within a school-based mental health program, presents model examples of family involvement, and describes training issues for clinicians and for successful partnerships. Finally, we explore future directions for the field and make recommendations for next steps. 

In an effort to explore clinicians perspectives of family involvement in expanded school mental health programs, clinicians from the University of Maryland... 

AN EXAMPLE OF FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN AN EXPANDED SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM... 

Table 1. Summary Recommendations for Clinicians in Expanded School Mental Health Programs to Promote Family Involvement...

Bickham, N. L., Pizarro, J., Warner, B. S., Rosenthal, B., Weist, M. D. (1998). Family involvement in expanded school mental health. Journal of School Health, 88(10), 425-428. 

In response to the inadequacy of counseling-focused, school-based, mental health programs for urban low-income families, school-based models need to expand their focus to adapt services to the needs and competencies of teachers, parents, and children in order to capitalize on schools unique opportunities to provide mental health-promoting activities for children in these communities (Atkins et al., 1998). We propose fom key foci for school-based mental health programs in urban communities (1) focus on children s academic performance, (2) teacher collaboration and support, (3) parental involvement, and (4) reliance on indigenous resources. The rationale for each goal will follow. 

---