CURRENT PROJECTS

School Mental Health Alliance

REACH Staff

Peter Jensen, M.D.

Lisa Hunter, Ph.D.

Marilyn Camacho, B.A.

Publications

A Position Paper of the School Mental Health Alliance:

"Working Together to Promote Academic Performance, Social and Emotional Learning, and Mental Health for All Children"

Project Description

In 2003, REACH staff (then at Columbia University) held a Summit called "Approaches to School Mental Health Evidence-Based Partnerships: Key Obstacles and Strategic Opportunities." The Summit brought together experts in the field of children’s mental health for the purpose of: 1) identifying obstacles to the implementation of evidence-based school mental health programs, and 2) reaching consensus about effective strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Following the Summit, the School Mental Health Alliance (SMHA) was formed to help put the summit recommendations into action. Several important initiatives resulted from the summit, including a tool-kit that helps local educational authorities integrate evidence-based mental health services within school systems.  Please note above the recent position paper of the SMHA, entitled "Working Together to Promote Academic Performance, Social and Emotional Learning, and Mental Health for All Children."

This position paper was distributed to members of the Senate by Senators Pete Domenici and Edward Kennedy in November. The SMHA is a coalition of over 25 organizations with interests in advancing school-based mental health services. Peter Jensen, M.D., and Kimberly Hoagwood, Ph.D., serve as the co-chairs of the SMHA.

On October 20, 2005, Kimberley Stewart, director of Strategy, Development and Communications for CACMH, presented the School Mental Health Alliance White Paper to Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign of Nevada, at the U.S. Capitol.