Characteristics and Funding of School Mental Health Services: A National Survey

• Main Authors: Teich, Judith L, Rollefson, Mary
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: For full text: http://rtckids 01.03.2002
• Subjects: Behavior Disorders; Delivery Systems; Elementary Secondary Education; Emotional Disturbances; Incidence; Mental Health Programs; Mental Health Workers; National Surveys; Questionnaires; Special Education Teachers; Surveys; Teacher Role

This paper describes an ongoing national survey to provide baseline data on mental health services delivered in public elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The survey will: (1) identify and describe models and arrangements for the delivery of mental health services and document which models are most prevalent; (2) identify and describe the numbers and types of mental health staff available in public schools, amounts of time they are available, their qualifications, and ways they allocate their time; (3) document the types of mental health problems most frequently encountered in the school setting and the mental health services delivered; and (4) identify and categorize how school mental health services are currently funded and how various funding mechanisms affect the delivery of services. Two survey instruments have been developed: one for use at the individual school level and one for use at the district level. The study will survey 2000 schools. Discussion focuses on the narrow definition of "mental health services" used by the study as well as the limited definition of mental health staff (which excludes special education teachers). (DB)