May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health conditions continue to affect many students and impact their education. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 (21%) will have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition in their educational career.
Some school districts offer therapeutic or emotional support programs to serve students with emotional needs. These programs often allow students specialized counseling, a “home base” within the school setting, flexibility, and support. As these programs do not have a set definition and can mean different things in different school districts, it is important to understand a range of available options.
This session is designed for all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, school psychologists, advocates, and CSE chairs. Our panel features professionals who administer therapeutic support programs in public school districts.