The M-DCPS school district shines an even brighter light on the importance of positive mental health for child development.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, M-DCPS had established the Department of Mental Health Services (Department of Mental Health Services) to ensure that there are always the staff, services, trainings, and programs to expand mental health education and awareness, while providing direct support to students and families.
The School District has established a number of activities and initiatives to increase mental health awareness among staff, students, and parents. The goal is to increase awareness of mental health, while reducing the stigma associated with mental health and also making people learn to seek help.
Las M-DCPS recently celebrated National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day), carrying out activities in all schools with staff and students. Students enrolled in Mental Wellness Clubs (Mental Wellness Clubs) promoted awareness of mental health, available resources, and the importance of maintaining good mental health.
The Department of Mental Health Services (Department of Mental Health Services) employs 118 mental health coordinators, who are assigned to all Kindergarten through 12th grade schools throughout the School District. These licensed and certified professionals provide direct services to students through a streamlined referral process. Additionally, they provide training for parents, staff, and students at school sites. During this school year, an additional 100 mental health professionals were hired on a part-time basis to provide direct support to students.
Another key component of the work that takes place in M-DCPS is professional development opportunities across the District for administrators, faculty, and staff in the field of mental health. These opportunities provide additional tools to help recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues students may be experiencing and how to refer them so they can get the appropriate professional help. Such trainings include Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practices and Grief Sensitivity.
Partnerships and contracts with community organizations help further leverage this support. M-DCPS currently contracts with 12 mental health providers who provide a more intensive level of support for students and families. These providers are free to families and are available at the school, agencies, home, or virtually. Among the entities that support positive wellness programs in all our schools and that help children develop emotional coping skills with resilience habits, mindfulness practices and training on how to assist a friend or partner that needs support, there are the following charities: the community entity, Children’s Trust, the basketball teamthe Miami Heat, the ball team, the Miami Marlins, the health insurance company(Florida Blue),the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the organization that advances the practice of mindfulness for children(Mindful KidsMiami). There is also the alliance that promotes a positive environment in sports Positive Coaching Alliance.
Outreach and communication services are essential to meeting the needs of students. Parents can contact their child’s school or the Attendance Line (Assistance Line), Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 4 pm, by calling 305-995-7100. Visit the department’s website at mentalhealthservices.dadeschools.net or follow the department on Twitter @M-DCPS_MHS.