Dustin Brown
(307) 631-5377
dustin.brown1@wyo.gov
Care Coordination
Care Coordination, is a free statewide service connecting Wyoming students, their families, school district staff and their families with mental health care providers. On average it takes 60 calls and four to five weeks to get matched with a mental health provider. With Care Coordination, individuals in need are typically matched with providers in under a week. This confidential and anonymous service will help those seeking care overcome the many barriers they experience such as language, long wait times, and insurance complexities.
The WDE has contracted with Care Solace, a trusted national provider to deliver these mental health care coordination services. The service is easy to use and the supports provided fully integrate into a school’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework.
For more information, or to request services for your school district, contact Rebekah Mauthe SAMSHA Project Grant Coordinator, at 307-287-9224 or rebekah.mauthe@wyo.gov.
Search for Mental Health Resources
Why get mental health care?
Students’ mental wellbeing has an impact on their academic work and daily lives. By encouraging them to take care of their mental wellbeing, we can help set them up for success. Students who have taken care of their mental health tend to excel in school more than they would have without mental health care. In the U.S one in six youth from ages 6-17 can experience a mental health struggle at some point. Along with this, half of mental health disorders show signs by age 14. Promoting mental wellness can help lessen those numbers and help students continue to thrive in a busy world.
Some reasons for getting mental health care could be just daily life, academic, or social stress. Students also may want help with symptoms of depression and anxiety, so that they can better focus on their academic studies and better their grades. Sometimes some symptoms of mental health disorders can show in behavior, grades, and even substance use. Receiving mental health care can help students find healthier ways to manage their symptoms and see an increase in grade performance and better behaviors.
These services are also available to staff members within the district and family members of students or staff. Mental Health wellness doesn’t just stop with the students. Even adults can experience symptoms that may need attention. Receiving mental health care can help adults in similar ways as students, finding healthy coping strategies and lessening symptoms that make daily life a little more challenging. Staff members and families who receive care can better support students and their own daily lives. Not only do our students deserve to thrive, but so do the adults who surround them!
What to expect after a warm hand-off?
Care Solace helps in connecting you or a loved one with a provider that can help in your journey to mental wellness. The process sounds easy, and it is! After finding a provider, Care Solace doesn’t just disappear. They will make sure the appointment happens and check in with your satisfaction with the provider. If all goes well, they will start stepping back, giving you space to continue your journey. If needed, they can help find a new provider and will continue to make sure any questions you have are answered. Here’s a more in depth look at their process: https://caresolace.com/entity-user/resource-center/post/setting-expectations
Resources
For Parent/Guardians, How to support your young person: www.samhsa.gov/families/parent-caregiver-resources
Mental Health for Young People:
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health
What to expect in therapy:
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/two-takes-depression/201301/what-expect-in-psychotherapy
Compliance Training/Policy Resource for Districts
WDE Compliance Training and Policy Resource Document
Bullying and Cyberbullying: Each school district must have a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying at school ( § 21-4-314). Policies should be continuously reviewed and revised as necessary.
Suicide Prevention Programs: In 2014, the Wyoming legislature passed the Jason Flatt Act (W.S. 21-3-110 (a)(xxxiii)) and requires that at a minimum, staff members participate in eight hours of training every four years with two hours provided during a staff member’s initial year (if prior training is absent).
Additional Student & School Health information and resources can be found on the State School Nurse page here.
Resources
Anti Bullying Model Policy I
Suicide Prevention Education Materials
Suicide Postvention Guide for School
Safety
Emergency Planning: All schools must use multiple strategies, which should be defined in a crisis management plan, to ensure the safety of students. (Chapter 6, Section 5. (n)(ii) ). Training, exercises, and drills for school staff and students should include components of a Crisis Management Plan/Emergency Operations Plan (CMP/EOP)
Threat Assessment and Reporting: Confidentially report or disclose any type of concerning student behaviors or other suspicious activity. This information provides an opportunity for the appropriate personnel to act and prevent any violence before it occurs. Safe2TellWY.org
Resources
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center