The Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health engages in many activities to fund, advocate, and advance expanded school mental health programs in schools around the state. These activities include advocating for legislative change and drafting bills to fund ESMH programs, launching an informative website, and planning an annual summit that involves and informs a statewide network of more than 850 providers, school mental health staff, legislators, parents, and others who care about the well-being and success of each child. You can make a difference by joining one of three Coalition committees that need your involvement and skills!
We need you! Want to dig deeper and help the Coalition in a more meaningful way? Join a Committee!
Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health in Wisconsin Committees
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee works to create and adapt policy, engage in legislative activities to fund expanded school mental health programs, and advocates on behalf of the coalition.
School Mental Health Navigators Community of Practice
Formed in 2020, the SMH Navigator Community of Practice gathers monthly online for an opportunity for navigators to connect on best practices, challenges, and share resources. Whether you are called a navigator or have taken on the tasks without the title, we want to learn from you! Email Allyson (aforseth@wafca.org) to join!
Am I a school mental health navigator?
You may have this role in your school community without carrying the title, but essentially school mental health navigators help students and families connect to resources and facilitate communication between teachers, staff, families and providers. They know the local community resources and many may have lived experience that helps them quickly engage with families and align as a supportive resource. In some schools this position assists with scheduling appointments, connecting with families in their home and more.
You can find our upcoming meetings on WAFCA’S events calendar!
Who are the Navigators? Learn more here.
School-Based Mental Health Clinicians Community of Practice
About the Community of Practice: Launching in 2022, the School-Based Mental Health Clinicians Community of Practice gathers monthly online during the school year, creating opportunities for school-based or school-connected clinicians, counselors, and therapists to connect on best practices with the expert guidance of an experienced clinician, provide and receive support through challenges, and share resources.
What are School-Based Clinicians? This refers to mental health therapists (and those in training) who work within a school setting or as a community provider with a contract or MOU with a school or district. School-Based Clinicians provide direct therapeutic services to individual students or selected groups. In some schools, this position may also carry other responsibilities as determined by the districts’ needs!
You can find our upcoming meetings on WAFCA’S events calendar!
Want to sign up? Complete this interest form!
Summit Planning Committee
The Summit Planning Committee works to identify speakers, topics and resources for the Summit. Help guide the experience for participants!
Board Members
Executive Committee
Julie Hueller (Chair), Manager, Racine Collaborative for Children’s Mental Health, Racine Unified School District
Carey Jacobsen (Vice-Chair), Director of Clinical Services, Wellpoint Care Network
Kathy Markeland (Treasurer), Executive Director, WI Association of Family & Children’s Agencies
Jessica Bigboy (Secretary), Parent Peer Specialist Wisconsin Family Ties
Members-at-Large
Charles Bauernfeind, School Coordinator, School Community Partnership for Mental Health, Milwaukee Public Schools
Heather Birk, Lived Experience Representative, Southeast Wisconsin
Greta Blancarte, Wellness Coordinator, Ashland School District
Leah Featherstone, Clinical Director, Professional Services Group
Jamie Ganske, Director of Mental Health and Resilience, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
Phyllis Greenberger, Lead Advocacy Specialist, Disability Rights Wisconsin
Linda A. Hall, Director, Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health
Molly Herrmann, Project AWARE Consultant, WI Department of Public Instruction
Amanda Krzykowski, Performance and Quality Improvement, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan
Jenny Miller, Manager of School-Based Mental Health Services, Children’s Wisconsin – Community Services
Rachel Zwicky, Lived Experience Representative, Northern Wisconsin