Project AWARE: Advancing Wellness & Resiliency in Education

SAMHSA

The Manchester School District was Awarded $7.6 Million in Funding through September 2028 from the US Department of Health & Human Services: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address student mental health, school safety, and disparities in behavioral health for school aged youth. The purpose of the funding is to continue to build the infrastructure and systems for MTSS-B implementation across the District.

MTSS-B LINKS

The goal of Project AWARE is to promote the healthy social and emotional development of school-aged youth and prevent youth violence in school settings. Project AWARE aims to reduce stigma around behavioral health challenges for students in our school district and encourages them to connect to behavioral health services. To improve connection to supports, Project AWARE's focus is to build infrastructure through implementation of a three-tiered public health model (MTSS-B), with clear referral pathways in place to refer students for support - in or outside of - the school setting.

Through Project AWARE we are reducing barriers to accessing behavioral health supports and services for students and families, with a focus on improving outcomes for everyone.

Read more about Project AWARE.

MSD logo

The Manchester School District is committed to implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training and policies in compliance with the:

Project AWARE Data

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The Manchester School District will implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training and report on the following:

  • The # of trainings conducted, including the # of student trainings conducted and the training delivery method

  • The # of students trained - disaggregated by age and grade level

  • The # of help-seeking reports by students

Other Project AWARE Data That Will Be Collected & Reported

Infrastructure & Capacity Building

  • The number of individuals who receive training in prevention or mental health promotion

  • The number of individuals trained with positive changes in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental health and trauma

  • The number of new policies / policy changes that support the MTSS-B framework

School-Community Behavioral Health Collaboration

  • The number of community providers that entered into formal agreements to improve mental health related practices and activities consistent with the goals of the grant

Connecting School Aged Youth to Services & Supports

  • The number of school aged youth referred to brief or intensive behavioral health services and supports

  • The number of school aged youth connected to brief or intensive behavioral health services and supports after referral

Measuring Student Outcomes

Databases and systems are in development to evaluate the outcomes from implementing MTSS-B. Expected outcomes over the next 5 years include:

  • Reduced office discipline referral rates

  • Reduced suspensions

  • Reduced incidents regarding school safety

  • Reduced student concern over school safety

  • Increased % of students seeking behavioral health support when needed

  • Increased attendance rates

  • Increased academic achievement

  • Improved school climate for staff

  • Improved school climate for families

District, State, and additional Federal funding streams will be leveraged to continue to build capacity and sustainability for MTSS-B implementation.

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Questions? Comments? Input?

Contact the Office of Behavioral Health & Safe Schools

Stacy Champey, MTSS-B & Project AWARE Director

schampey@mansd.org