Resources

Collaboration Guide — for schools & mental health provider agencies

• This guide was developed to address a range of issues that have emerged over the past several years as schools and communities have continued to grow access to mental health services and treatment. Complete with information on the benefits of school-based mental health and the multi-level system of supports, guidance on agreements and information-sharing between schools and treatment providers, example MOU documents, and more, this is a recommended resource for all.

Space Requirements for School-Based Therapy — for schools & providers

• This easy-to-use infographic illustrates what is required to make a room or space ready for use in therapy sessions.

DBT in Schools — for schools

• DBT STEPS-A (Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents) is a unique SEL curriculum that offers a preventive, universal approach for teaching emotion regulation skills and coping strategies to middle and high school-aged adolescents. The curriculum provides easy-to-use manualized lessons and handouts for implementation by general education teachers. In collaboration with WAFCA, the Coalition provided a series of DBT in Schools training opportunities and consultation hours to selected applicant schools four school years in a row: from 2020-24. Learn more about the initiative and impact in this case examples report!  

Telehealth with Students & Youth — for providers

• The pandemic required that providers shift quickly to telehealth to support the mental health of students and families. The Coalition & WAFCA offered a training to support providers not only with legal requirements for telehealth and how to maintain confidentiality—but also how to set up a space for telehealth, how to improve engagement with clients of all ages using technology, and how to approach more sensitive topics facing students (like abuse and suicidality). The training inspired the creation of a resource guide on Effective Teletherapy Practices with Youth. 

Continuing Education Quick Guides — for providers

• These FREE one-sheet guides are handy resources based on content presented in WAFCA’s Continuing Education and Professional Development program. Topics include the following and more: Balancing Change & Acceptance in Youth Work: Applying DBT Principles, Essentials of Effective Psychotherapy, Culturally Responsive Counseling Practices, Effective Assessment & Intervention for Self-Injury in Youth, and Treating Suicide Risk in Outpatient Settings.