DISTRICT BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The North Kingstown School Department (NKSD) is requesting proposals for mental health providers/agencies to implement school-based mental health services within the District.
Implementing programs that provide mental health professionals/services within the school setting has gained national recognition as a model for an accessible and cost-effective way to address student mental health needs, in particular, students who otherwise do not have meaningful access to such services. Numerous research studies on school-based mental health point to measurable gains in academic achievement, declines in suspension and grade retention, and reductions in typical childhood mental illness such as depression and behaviors associated with conduct disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder when students have regular access to mental health services as needed. These programs also serve a role in helping school districts to create a culture within the school of competence, growth and inclusion for all students. Support the establishment of a district SEL team that includes a cross-section of representatives from the North Kingstown school community. Work with the SEL team to develop an SEL MTSS framework, collect and analyze baseline and implementation data, identify SEL interventions and supports, write a measurable action plan with tangible goals, implement the action plan, and reflect on district progress.
This RFP is looking for highly qualified providers/agencies to provide the following mental and behavioral health services to NKSD students:
- Individual and small group therapy and instruction
- Family outreach and connection to private and/or community supports and services
- Participation in team meetings as requested
- On-site training and consultation for school personnel
- Collaboration on Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavioral Improvement Plans
- Clinical evaluations as determined by the evaluation team
- Clinical risk and/or threat assessments as requested
- Elementary short term achievement: Grades 1-5; STAR scores about the 40%ile
- Grief support as needed
DISTRICT DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES:
- To provide mental health programs that address early intervention and prevention services for NKSD students and families in need.
- To increase the accessibility of mental health services for NKSD students and families by making connections and collaborating with community and private mental health providers.
- Increased student achievement over time. Students with behavioral and emotional difficulties may display poor academic achievement. Achievement deficits may be related to low skills, but inevitably those difficulties are also connected to lost instruction due to disciplinary issues and difficulties attending to instruction related to poor coping skills. Through the receipt of mental health services, in conjunction with academic and/or behavioral interventions, it is the expectation that over time, student’s achievement will increase.
- Increased positive coping skills. Coping skills allow children to adapt in a way that helps them to meet environmental demands despite behavioral or emotional difficulties that could interfere. It is the expectation that children who receive school-based mental health services will increase their coping skills to the degree that they function better socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. The assigned Agency will share all baseline and end data from their standard assessment of coping skills.
- Mental and behavioral health services provided to NKSD students in school should be based on the following principles and guidelines:
- Family engagement and active family involvement is critical at the initiation and throughout the treatment process. Individualized services will only be provided to students following the receipt of parental consent or a part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Services should be proactive and positive, building on the strengths of the student and families.
- Service providers should show willingness to collaborate with school administrators, student services staff, teachers and a Multi-Tiered System of Support Team.
- Services must follow the mandate to be least intrusive, least restrictive and responsive to the individual needs of the child within the school setting.
- All employees of the agency/provider shall agree to follow all NKSD rules, regulations, procedures and policies when providing services to NKSD students on school property.
- In conjunction with NKSD, providers/agencies will be responsible for the completion of paperwork, including necessary signatures to begin services, Medicaid logs, and for release of information.
- Services should be provided during regular school hours
