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Mental Health Solutions for Schools2023-04-16T11:49:15-07:00

Mental Health Solutions for Schools

Equity Associates wants to partner with your school!

Our Mission

Equity Associates is on a mission remove obstacles that hinder access to high-quality mental health services for schools & adolescents.

At Equity Associates, we know that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. That’s why it is essential for schools to offer comprehensive mental health services to their students. Here are five reasons why mental health services are crucial for adolescents, backed by current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
  • Adolescent mental health is a growing concern: According to the CDC, mental health conditions are becoming increasingly common among adolescents. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds. Offering mental health services at school can help students who may be struggling and provide them with the support they need.

  • Mental health problems can impact academic performance: The CDC reports that students with mental health problems are more likely to have academic difficulties, such as failing grades and absenteeism. By providing mental health services, schools can help students manage their mental health and improve their academic performance.

  • Early intervention is crucial: The earlier mental health problems are identified and treated, the better the outcomes. The CDC reports that 50% of all mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24. By offering mental health services, schools can identify and treat mental health conditions before they become more severe.

  • Stigma can prevent students from seeking help: Many students may be hesitant to seek help for mental health issues due to stigma or embarrassment. By offering mental health services at school, you create a safe and non-judgmental environment where students can seek help without fear of judgment.

  • Mental health services can improve overall well-being: Mental health services are not just for students with diagnosed mental health conditions. They can help all students build resilience, manage stress, and develop coping skills. By offering mental health services, schools can promote overall well-being for all students.

Equity Associates Icon

Get Started Today

Still have questions or need more information? Get in touch and we will be glad to help make sure you have all the information you need. You can also call us at  (866) 633-4288.

As an educator or school counselor you know, providing mental health services to students is essential for their overall well-being and academic success. While schools can offer a variety of resources, it’s important to also consider partnering with outside mental health providers, such as Equity Associates to get the best results for your students. Here are five reasons why:
  • Increased expertise: Our providers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They have specialized training and experience in diagnosing and treating mental health issues, which can lead to more effective interventions and better outcomes for your students.

  • Access to a wider range of services: Equity Associates offer a wide range of services beyond what schools can provide alone. This can include individual and group therapy, medication management, and specialized mental health interventions. By partnering with Equity Associates, you can ensure that your students have access to the resources they need to thrive.

  • Reduced stigma: Seeking mental health services can be stigmatizing for some students. By partnering with Equity Associates, you can normalize seeking help and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This can encourage more students to seek the help they need with your staff focuses on responding to the most immediate demands.

  • More comprehensive care: When school counselors partner with Equity Associates, we can work together to provide the most comprehensive care for students. This can include coordinating treatment plans and sharing information to ensure that students receive the most effective and appropriate services possible.

  • Improved student outcomes: By partnering with Equity Associates, schools can improve student outcomes. Research has shown that students who receive mental health services are more likely to attend school, have better academic performance, and have better long-term mental health outcomes. By providing access to comprehensive services, schools can ensure that their students receive the best care possible.

Equity Associates can be used as a free counseling referral source for your students even if you don’t use our other services. 

Equity Associates offer a fully customizable mental health solution for schools. With a free 30 minute consultation, all of our services can be tailored to fit the needs and level of desired service for your school or our services can be bundled in 3 tiered partnership levels:

 

Partnership Level 12023-01-17T11:54:42-07:00
Partnership Level 1

Accessible to ALL of your students regardless of insurance status.

ServiceSuccess MetricsSchool Resources NeededCosts
Equity Associates Evidence-Based Intervention

  • Individual Counseling
Easy access system built in internally (e.g on website) so students can self-refer & your school can track analytics of who is self-referring & following through with attending sessions.A school staff member to serve as school liaison.

Release of Information  (ROI)

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can partner together to promote integrated mental health at your school.

Collaborative Care

  • Monthly progress update meetings for students attending individual counseling sessions.
Individual student data tracking shared at the meeting.

  • Baseline
  • Progress monitoring
  • Summative
A school staff member to serve as school liaison & other key stakeholders as desired.
Partnership Level 1

Accessible to ALL of your students regardless of insurance status

Service

Equity Associates Evidence-Based Intervention

  • Individual Counseling

Collaborative Care 

  • Monthly progress update meetings for students attending individual counseling sessions.
Success Metrics

Easy access system built in internally (e.g on website) so students can self-refer & your school can track analytics of who is self-referring & following through with attending sessions.

Individual student data tracking shared at the meeting.

  • Baseline
  • Progress monitoring
  • Summative
School Resources Needed

A school staff member to serve as school liaison.

Release of Information  (ROI)

A school staff member to serve as school liaison & other key stakeholders as desired.

Costs

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can partner together to promote integrated mental health at your school.

Partnership Level 22023-01-17T12:05:48-07:00
Partnership Level 2

Accessible to ALL of your students regardless of insurance status.

ServiceSuccess MetricsSchool Resources NeededCosts
Equity Associates Evidence-Based Interventions

  • Individual Counseling
  • Small Group Counseling
Individual Counseling & Small Group Counseling: 

  • Easy access system built in internally (e.g on website) so students can self-refer & your school can track analytics of who is self-referring & following through with attending sessions.
  • School attendance, course completion and engagement data & aligned with counseling attendance and outcome data.
  • Student & system perspective surveys collected and tracked.
  • Access to students symptoms tracking dashboard.
A school staff member to serve as school liaison.

Release of Information  (ROI)

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can partner together to promote integrated mental health at your school.

Collaborative Care

  • Bi-monthly Collaborative Care Meetings
  • Students’ individual & small group counseling schedules co-coordinated by Equity Associates & school liaison.
  • Responsive scheduling as needed (e.g. if a student misses an appointment, Equity Associates offers another slot later in the day or week) and is designed in conjunction with school liaison so students can get access during the school day when they can be reminded to get to their appointments by school liaison.
Equity Associates & your school collaboratively designed student SMART Goals, including baseline data, progress monitoring data and summative data.

Success metrics can be aligned with your school’s SUIP and other key performance indicators as applicable within the school’s improvement strategy.

A school staff member to serve as school liaison & other key stakeholders as desired.
Partnership Level 2

Accessible to ALL of your students regardless of insurance status

Service

Equity Associates Evidence-Based Interventions

  • Individual Counseling
  • Small Group Counseling

Collaborative Care 

  • Bi-monthly Collaborative Care Meetings.
  • Students’ individual & small group counseling schedules co-coordinated by Equity Associates & school liaison.
  • Responsive scheduling as needed (e.g. if a student misses an appointment, Equity Associates offers another slot later in the day or week) and is designed in conjunction with school liaison so students can get access during the school day when they can be reminded to get to their appointments by school liaison.
Success Metrics

Individual Counseling & Small Group Counseling:

  • Easy access system built in internally (e.g on website) so students can self-refer & your school can track analytics of who is self-referring & following through with attending sessions.
  • School attendance, course completion and engagement data & aligned with counseling attendance and outcome data.
  • Student & system perspective surveys collected and tracked.
  • Access to students symptoms tracking dashboard.

Equity Associates & your school collaboratively designed student SMART Goals, including baseline data, progress monitoring data and summative data.

Success metrics can be aligned with your school’s SUIP and other key performance indicators as applicable within the school’s improvement strategy.

School Resources Needed

A school staff member to serve as school liaison.

Release of Information  (ROI)

A school staff member to serve as school liaison & other key stakeholders as desired.

Costs

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can partner together to promote integrated mental health at your school.

Partnership Level 32023-01-17T12:32:20-07:00
Partnership Level 3

Accessible to ALL of your students regardless of insurance status.

ServiceSuccess MetricsSchool Resources NeededCosts
Equity Associates & your school’s Collaboratively Designed Evidence-Based Interventions

  • School-goals & MTSS goals used to collaboratively design interventions
  • Individual Counseling
  • Small Group Counseling
    • Potential Evidence-Based Intervention
      Examples:

      • (e.g) Community Mentorship
      • (e.g)Self-Regulated Strategy Development
Individual Counseling & Small Group Counseling:

  • Easy access system built in internally (e.g on website) so students can self-refer & school can track analytics of who is self-referring & following through with attending sessions.
  • School attendance, course completion and engagement data & aligned with counseling attendance and outcome data
  • Student & system perspective data collected and tracked
  • Access to students symptoms tracking dashboard.
School staff member to serve as school liaison and MTSS team representative.

Release of Information (ROI)

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can partner together to promote integrated mental health at your school.

Collaborative Care

  • School-wide mental health diagnostic review.
  • Equity Associates Collaborative Care Liaison operates as a member of your MTSS Team.
  • SEL/ MTSS Data Review.
  • Bi-monthly Collaborative Care Meetings.
  • Students individual & small group counseling schedules co-coordinated by Equity Associates & School Liason.
  • Responsive scheduling as needed (e.g. if a student misses an appointment, Equity Associates offers another slot later in the day or week) and is designed in conjunction with school liaison so students can get access during the school day when they can be reminded to get to their appointments by school staff.
Diagnostic review report including targeted action items.

Universal Mental Health Screenings.

Student, Staff & Stakeholder Perception Surveys collected and tracked.

Equity Associates & school collaboratively designed student SMART Goals, including baseline data, progress monitoring data and summative data.

Success metrics can be aligned with school’s SUIP and other key performance indicators as applicable within the school’s improvement strategy.

Annual school-wide outcome reports.

School staff member to serve as school liaison, & MTSS Team.
Retroactive Funding Reimbursement Services

  • Covers customizable work with our School-Based Medicaid Billing Specialist, Private Insurance Billing Specialist, Funding Options Specialists 7 Grants Management Specialist.
School is reimbursed for costs retroactively through Medicaid/private insurance billing or an alternative funding stream.School staff member to serve as school liaison.
Partnership Level 3

Accessible to ALL of your students regardless of insurance status

Service

Equity Associates & your school’s Collaboratively Designed Evidence-Based Interventions

  • School-goals & MTSS goals used to collaboratively design interventions
  • Individual Counseling
  • Small Group Counseling
    • Potential Evidence-Based Intervention
      Examples:

      • (e.g) Community Mentorship
      • (e.g) Self-Regulated Strategy Development

Collaborative Care 

  • School-wide mental health diagnostic review
  • Equity Associates Collaborative Care Liaison operates as a member of your MTSS Team.
  • SEL/ MTSS Data Review
  • Bi-monthly Collaborative Care Meetings
  • Students individual & small group counseling schedules co-coordinated by Equity Associates & School Liason.
  • Responsive scheduling as needed (e.g. if a student misses an appointment, Equity Associates offers another slot later in the day or week) and is designed in conjunction with school liaison so students can get access during the school day when they can be reminded to get to their appointments by school staff.

Retroactive Funding Reimbursement Services

  • Covers customizable work with our School-Based Medicaid Billing Specialist, Private Insurance Billing Specialist, Funding Options Specialists & Grants Management Specialist.
Success Metrics

Individual Counseling & Small Group Counseling:

  • Easy access system built in internally (e.g on website) so students can self-refer & school can track analytics of who is self-referring & following through with attending sessions.
  • School attendance, course completion and engagement data & aligned with counseling attendance and outcome data.
  • Student & system perspective data collected and tracked.
  • Access to students symptoms tracking dashboard.

Diagnostic review report including targeted action items.

Universal Mental Health Screenings.

Student, Staff & Stakeholder Perception Surveys collected and tracked.

Equity Associates & school collaboratively designed student SMART Goals, including baseline data, progress monitoring data and summative data.

Success metrics can be aligned with school’s SUIP and other key performance indicators as applicable within the school’s improvement strategy.

Annual school-wide outcome reports.

School is reimbursed for costs retroactively through Medicaid/private insurance billing or an alternative funding stream.

School Resources Needed

School staff member to serve as school liaison and MTSS team representative.

Release of Information (ROI)

School staff member to serve as school liaison, & MTSS Team.

Costs

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can partner together to promote integrated mental health at your school.

Refer Students & Families for Individual Counseling2023-01-17T13:34:26-07:00

Equity Associates wants to partner with your school!

One in three teenagers struggling with anxiety and depression do not seek mental health help. But why?

Top 4 Reasons Teens Don’t Seek Mental Health Help
  1. Little symptom insight: “I just thought I was my kind of normal.”
  2. Struggle to reveal their feelings: “I was scared of telling people how I felt… I thought they would judge me, and then they’ll think there’s something wrong with me.”
  3. Indecision: “There’s like a part of me that wants help and a part that doesn’t.”
  4. The role of others: “If it weren’t for X, I would still be suffering.”
Top 4 Ways You Can Help Within Your School
  1. Schools can conduct universal mental health screenings to identify at-risk students and offer early intervention.
  2. School-wide health assemblies can introduce warning signs of anxiety and depression, empower students with tools to respond and normalize mental health.
  3. Student surveys can offer opportunities to glean insight from students’ perspectives. Interventions developed with the input of young people are more likely to meet their needs.
  4. Since teens rarely seek help on their own and families often lack knowledge about adolescent mental health services, schools need to be well-connected with referral organizations. Schools can strive to create partnerships that provide accessible, specialized adolescent intervention while giving teens the autonomy to access support quickly and easily within their school settings.

* “Why don’t teenagers seek help for anxiety & depression”

Equity Associates is on a mission to eliminate barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural schools by creating customized, school-based mental health partnerships with schools.

  • As a referral source for your school we can match your students with targeted mental health intervention within three days of completing our simplified, adolescent-friendly intake process. We accept most major insurances, including Medicaid.
  • Equity Associates is a telemental health provider. Students anywhere, regardless of the geographic area, can get started with therapy just by going to the Get Started with Therapy Link on our website. They can also call or text an Equity Associates Intake Specialist to get started at 866-633-4288.
  • If a student is hesitant, they can schedule a free consultation, and a staff member from your school or family member is welcome to join them. We’ve seen the value of a “warm hand-off!” You can find a link to schedule that on this page.

Thanks for being a champion for your student’s mental health. Let us know how Equity Associates can help!

Standalone Referral Option

Accessible to students and their families across Colorado who carry insurance in any geographic area.

*We are credentialed with Medicaid and all major and most insurance companies in Colorado.

ServiceSuccess MetricsCostsSchool Resources NeededHow to get Started
with this Option
Equity Associates will independently engage with students/families referred to us to provide individual counseling services to them separate from any connection with your school than the referral.

Equity Associates will process all the paperwork & insurance billing just as any other community mental health partnership option would.

N/AN/AWith a Release of Information (ROI) we can communicate with your school-based providers as they reach out to us.Just start sharing our info! We will take care of the rest.

Include us in any referral directories you may share school-wide. Include us in your referral resources or share our website/phone number/content we share with your families & students as a mental health provider option.

Support staff awareness of Equity Associates as a resource when working with students/families.

Standalone Referral Option

Accessible to students and their families across Colorado who carry insurance in any geographic area.

*We are credentialed with Medicaid and all major and most insurance companies in Colorado.

Service

Equity Associates will independently engage with students/families referred to us to provide individual counseling services to them separate from any connection with your school than the referral.

Equity Associates will process all the paperwork & insurance billing just as any other community mental health partnership option would.

Success Metrics

N/A

Costs

N/A

School Resources Needed

With a Release of Information (ROI) we can communicate with your school-based providers as they reach out to us.

How to get Started
with this Option

Just start sharing our info! We will take care of the rest.

Include us in any referral directories you may share school-wide. Include us in your referral resources or share our website/phone number/content we share with your families & students as a mental health provider option.

Support staff awareness of Equity Associates as a resource when working with students/families.

Small Group Counseling for Students2023-01-17T13:46:27-07:00
What is Group Therapy for Teens?

Teenage group therapy is when one or more therapists work with several teens at the same time. Teens can expect to share their feelings, experiences, and behaviors with those struggling with similar challenges. Groups can be as small as three or four but often involve around eight to 12 people. Usually, groups will meet once or twice a week (maybe more) for an hour or two.

There are many different types of group therapy, but the most common types include:
  • Cognitive behavioral groups – this focuses on identifying and changing problematic thinking, emotional responses, and behaviors.
  • Interpersonal groups – this focuses on interpersonal relationships and social interactions.
  • Psychoeducational groups – focuses on educating and informing clients about their disorders and ways of coping, as well as the consequences of those behaviors.
  • Skills development groups – focuses on improving skills based on the needs of the group.
  • Support groups – as the name suggests, this focuses on providing support and care for members.
Advantages of Group Therapy

Group therapy is another great option for teens that comes with advantages. These advantages include:

  • Providing Support
    Being in a group setting means providing much-needed support. Teens can see that others are going through the same thing, which can help them feel less alone. Whether dealing with panic attacks, depression, or another mental health challenge, it can provide a sense of relief to hear people going through the same thing.
  • Role Modeling
    Another benefit is group members can serve as role models for other members of the group. Teens can observe someone coping with a problem successfully and not only use that person as a model but see that there is hope for improvement. As each person progresses, they can serve as a role model and support figure for others. This can help the group feel successful and accomplished.
  • Promoting Social Skills
    The nature of group therapy means learning how to navigate situations and relationships with others. By engaging and re-engaging with others, teens can practice being in various social situations. For mental health challenges like social anxiety and depression, group therapy can be vital in breaking the cycle of withdrawing to a comfort zone and instead help build confidence in social interactions.
  • Practicing Using Their Voice
    For some teens, it can be hard to find their voice and even harder to use it. Group sessions are the perfect place to try using their voice. The safe place found in group sessions means teens can try using their voice in an unfiltered manner without some of the stress or anxiety they may experience normally.

Let Equity Associates provide the help your teen needs.

Teen Therapy Services Make a Difference

Whether teenage group therapy or individual therapy, teen therapy services are necessary and help to make a difference. Teens go through many changes, and that often includes developing mental health challenges. 50% of mental challenges develop by age 14. By utilizing teenage group therapy or individual therapy, teens will be given the tools needed to handle their mental health challenges, which will benefit them well into adulthood.

We’d love to be able to provide the help your teen needs. At Equity Associates, our trained and experienced therapists help teens get the treatment they need. Our therapy services are highly personalized for one’s unique needs, and with our usage of telemental health, those seeking treatment can do so in the comfort of their home. We’re based in Ridgway, Colorado but can help those anywhere in the state. No matter what, we’re always here to support those who need us.

Costs to Clients and Families

Equity Associates is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing quality mental health services for youth in rural communities and this is reflected in our reasonable fee structure. We are in network with most major insurance providers across the state of Colorado, including Medicaid, CHP+ and Rocky Mountain Health Plans.  If you are a member of any of these insurance companies, check with your insurance company to make sure behavioral health services are covered and if you have an associated co-pay.  The fee for teletherapy services when a client chooses to self-pay is based on a sliding scale and depends on the household income.  Please contact us for more information on self-pay rates.

Relevant Blog Articles
IEP Mental Health Related Services2023-01-23T14:22:39-07:00
Licensed Service Provider Key
  • Licensed School Counselor (LSC) possess a CDE Special Service Provider License. LSCs are Master’s level trained and licensed educators equipped with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to support and develop students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. LSCs can provide mental health services within a school-based mental health program or as a related service within a student’s IEP. Equity Associates LSCs possess specialized knowledge of students with disabilities and comprehensive school-based mental health services.

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) LPCs are Master’s level trained and licensed counselors. An LPC is a licensed professional counselor focusing on behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues. LPCs provide mental health services within a school-based mental health program or as a related service within a student’s IEP. Equity Associates LPCs possess specialized knowledge of students with disabilities and comprehensive school-based mental health services.

  • Licensed School Social Worker (LSSW) possess a CDE Special Service Provider License. LSSW’s are Master’s level trained and licensed educators equipped with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to support and develop students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. LSSWs can provide mental health services within a school-based mental health program or as a related service within a student’s IEP. Equity Associates LSSWs possess specialized knowledge of students with disabilities and comprehensive school-based mental health services.

As a related service within a student’s IEP, all of Equity Associate’s counseling services are defined as (2) Counseling services means services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, guidance counselors, or other qualified personnel. [§300.34(c)(2)]*

Individual Counseling
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs and LPCs will provide evidence-based counseling services intended to help all children in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development. Individual counseling can include assisting students with emotional and social concerns, such as developing self-knowledge, making effective decisions, learning health choices, and improving self-regulation and educational engagement. Counselors may also help children with future planning for setting and reaching academic goals, developing a positive attitude toward learning, and recognizing and utilizing academic strengths.

Transitional Services / Individual Career Counseling
with LSC

Transition services are a coordinated set of activities that promote movement from secondary educational settings to post-school activities as post-secondary education, vocational training, employment, adult services, independent living, and community participation.

Small Group Counseling or Psycho-social Educational Groups
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs or LPCs provide counseling sessions in small-group settings that help students overcome issues impeding achievement or social/emotional success. Counseling groups are purposefully planned, goal-focused, evidenced-based, and short-termed in nature**

Transitional Services / Small Group Career Counseling
with LSC

LSCs provide counseling sessions in small-group settings that focus on career readiness and soft-skills development. Counseling groups are purposefully planned, goal-focused, evidenced-based, and short-termed in nature**

IEP Documentation
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

IEP Documentation includes the completion of the following:

  • Case Notes
  • Required Progress Monitoring
  • SMART Goals Documentation
IEP, 504 Team Consultation
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs and LPCs will participate as an IEP team member based on related services provision.

Student Consultative Services
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs and LPCs will work with staff regarding related services within the student’s IEP and will provide staff consultation with a regular education teacher or other school staff on situations resulting from the area of focus wherein the related service is supporting.

Parent Consultative Services
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs and LPCs will work with parents regarding related services within the student’s IEP.

Parent Counseling and Training
with LSC

LSCs and LPCs will assist parents in understanding the educational needs of their child. Provide parents with information about child development. Provide support and basic information about a child’s initial placement in special education. Provide parents with contact information about parent support groups, financial assistance resources, and other potential sources of information or support outside the school system***

Special Services Staff Augmentation
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

Special Service Staff Augmentation allows schools to outline the duties for the LSC as needed, daily, weekly and monthly based on the school’s needs, thus offsetting any gaps the school might have in school-based mental health staffing. Examples may include using this service to cover a school-employed professionals maternity leave or vacation.

*LSCs do not provide educational diagnostic or special education testing.

References

*IDEA
**ASCA
***CDE
****SHAPE

School-Based Mental Health Collaborative Care2023-01-18T11:13:14-07:00

Equity Associates Collaborative Care model utilizes a team, student and strength based focused model, with emphasis on evidence-based data analysis and measurable interventions. The collaborative care model is an essential customizable mental health solution in order for Equity Associates to help your school decrease barriers to quality school-based mental health care.

The collaborative care model is a transferable, integrated care model frequently employed to facilitate the coordination between primary health care providers and mental health providers. There is a vast body of research indicating that youth involved in collaborative care models have substantially better treatment outcomes compared to usual care.

Equity Associates Collaborative Care model aligns itself with the work of the *ACCESS Project and in turn will support your school-based mental health team in through the following elements:

  • Youth-centered care using a multidisciplinary team working together to coordinate care through case management and shared treatment plans.

  • Outcome tracking is a focus and through progress monitoring treatment intensity is increased. If patients are not improving, such that attention is paid to improving outcomes for the whole population rather than just the individual;

  • The use of evidence-based interventions;

  • Using measurement-based treatment models and systems to monitor and track progress based on patient-specific treatment goals.

  • Accountability through consultation and supervision; and

  • Client education and engagement.

*Lyon, A. R., Whitaker, K., French, W. P., Richardson, L. P., Wasse, J. K., & McCauley, E. (2016). Collaborative care in schools: enhancing integration and impact in youth mental health. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 9(3-4), 148–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/1754730x.2016.1215928

MTSS Services2023-01-23T14:24:34-07:00
Pyramid Diagram
Licensed Service Provider Key
  • Licensed School Counselor (LSC) possess a CDE Special Service Provider License. LSCs are Master’s level trained and licensed educators equipped with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to support and develop students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. LSCs can provide mental health services within a school-based mental health program or as a related service within a student’s IEP. Equity Associates LSCs possess specialized knowledge of students with disabilities and comprehensive school-based mental health services.

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) LPCs are Master’s level trained and licensed counselors. An LPC is a licensed professional counselor focusing on behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues. LPCs provide mental health services within a school-based mental health program or as a related service within a student’s IEP. Equity Associates LPCs possess specialized knowledge of students with disabilities and comprehensive school-based mental health services.

  • Licensed School Social Worker (LSSW) possess a CDE Special Service Provider License. LSSW’s are Master’s level trained and licensed educators equipped with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to support and develop students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. LSSWs can provide mental health services within a school-based mental health program or as a related service within a student’s IEP. Equity Associates LSSWs possess specialized knowledge of students with disabilities and comprehensive school-based mental health services.

Equity Associates will work with your existing MTSS team, school-based mental health practitioner team and community agency resources to expand mental health services within your school.

Equity Associates telemental health model will connect your school with the resources needed to augment gaps in services along the continuum of school-based mental health by providing targeted mental health intervention.

Equity Associates will first work with your existing school-based mental health practitioner team or MTSS team to implement equitable processes for universal screening, mental health referrals or other team-based processes for the identification of students experiencing mild distress or mental health impairment, or who are at increased risk based on circumstance (Tier 2) and for the identification of students who are already experiencing significant distress and or chronic impaired functioning (Tier 3).

All Equity Associates interventions provided by the network of specialized practitioners will be tailored specifically for your school’s needs and developed with the following core philosophies in mind: culturally responsive practices, strength-based and person-centered approaches, cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral theories, trauma-informed care models, substance abuse treatment theories, brain development, emotion regulation and mindfulness strategies, and change theories.

As Equity Associates work with your MTSS Team, we will provide your school with baseline data, progress monitoring data, and summative data to demonstrate efficacy of the remote services and the growth and efficacy of the school-based mental health system based on a data cycle that is customized for your school’s MTSS needs.

Remote Tier 2 and Tier 3 mental health service integration is conducted in accordance with HIPPA and FERPA compliance guidelines and delivered by licensed mental health providers. Online platforms normalize therapeutic intervention while promoting anonymity.

In order to augment staffing gaps and free up time for your school-based mental health team, Equity Associates will directly provide customized tier 2 and tier 3 mental health services to your school through our highly qualified and specialized national network of online counselors. Integration of services will be based on a customized schedule best fitting the needs of your school and students. Some examples of such services include small group interventions for students with similar needs, evidence-based brief individualized counseling interventions (Tier 2), individual or small group therapeutic intervention (Tier 3).

In order to participate in partnership, schools must assign a school-based employee as the Equity Associates liaison who will be the point of contact for Equity Associates, help to schedule interventions, assure technology with webcam capacity and wifi are available for students and will participate as a member of the schools’ collaborative care team facilitated by Equity Associates and providers.

Universal Student Mental Health Screening & Planning
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

Screening offers the implementation and application of an evidence-based assessment tool used to determine early intervention and tiers one, two and three supports.

School-based Mental Health Diagnostic Assessment and Systems Planning
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

This Nationally Recognized School-Based Mental Health Assessment will provide your school with a detailed analysis of where your school is along the continuum of school-based mental health programming and will guide the strategic plan to increase the quality and sustainability of the comprehensive school mental health system.

Mental Health Promotion Services and Supports
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

Mental health-related activities, including promotion of positive social, emotional, and behavioral skills and wellness which are designed to meet the needs of all students regardless of whether they are at risk for mental health problems. Examples include social emotional learning, school-wide positive behavior supports, and mental health literacy****

Selective Services and Supports (Tier 2)
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

Supports to address mental health concerns are provided for groups of students who have been identified through needs assessments and school teaming processes as being at risk for a given concern or problem.****

Small Group Counseling or Psycho-social Educational Groups (Tier 2)
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs or LPCs provide counseling sessions in small-group settings that help students overcome issues impeding achievement or social/emotional success. Counseling groups are purposefully planned, goal-focused, evidenced-based, and short-termed in nature**

Indicated Services and Supports (Tier 3)
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

Supports to address mental health concerns are individualized to meet the unique needs of each student who is already displaying a particular concern or problem and displaying significant functional impairment.****

MTSS Team Consultation
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

LSCs and LPCs will participate as an MTSS team member based on services provided within Tier 2 and Tier 3.

Collaborative Care System
with LSC/LPC/LSSW

Equity Associates Collaborative Care System will provide your school with baseline data, progress monitoring data, and summative data to demonstrate efficacy of the remote services and the growth and efficacy of the school-based mental health system based on a data cycle that is customized for your school’s needs.

School-Based Mental Health Consultation Services & Professional Development Services
with Program Director

Consultation and professional development might include the following:

  • Assessments for individual classrooms/students as appropriate within a comprehensive school-based mental health program.
  • Design and delivery of training programs and workshops for educators and other interdisciplinary professionals working within the school-based health system.
References

*IDEA
**ASCA
***CDE
****SHAPE

School-Based Mental Health Diagnostic Review, Screening, Planning & Assessment2023-01-18T11:36:22-07:00

This assessment will provide your school with a detailed analysis of where your school is along the continuum of school-based mental health programming. The continuum of school-based mental health programming includes the following areas: universal mental health screening, tiered support, evidence-based practice implementation, mental health practitioner staffing and accessibility, community resource integration, funding support and sustainability, and necessary data monitoring systems to support a comprehensive school-based mental health system.

Get in touch and we will be glad to help make sure you have all the information you need.
You can also call or text  us at  (866) 633-4288.
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