| SSWAM State Consultant Report |
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SSWAM State Consultant Report: June 5, 2007 Dot Kontak, SSWS, LCSW
1. Mental Health Disaster Readiness Committee (State) a. Chaired by Jenny Wiley, Dept. of Mental Health www.dmh.mo.gov b. As possible, I have been attending bi-monthly meetings. This spring I presented information to the committee regarding SSW services. c. This committee has been a good contact for state level information. Jenny was instrumental in my invitation (as well as a representative from MASP) to the Homeland Security Safe Schools Working Group. d. New Booklet: Disaster Communications Guidebook: Preparedness & Public Education http://www.dmh.mo.gov/diroffice/disaster/disaster.htm
2. Homeland Security Safe Schools Working Group Committee (State) a. http://www.dps.mo.gov/HomelandSecurity/SchoolSafetyMain.htm b. Chaired by Paul Fennewald, Homeland Security Coordinator c. This bimonthly committee includes representatives from numerous major state organizations that are either directly involved in schools (i.e. MSBA, DESE, etc.) as well as organizations that would be called upon regarding safety or disaster issues (i.e. SEMA; state level police, fire and sheriff’s organizations, etc.) d. National Incident Management System—NIMS i. Grants for school safety plans. ii. Seneca received $230,000 last year e. EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION PLAN (ERIP) to be released in July, (Brad Spicer, SafePlans, LLC) f. Pandemic Planning (Eddie Hedrick) i. Policy submitted to MSBA in May ii. School Crisis Plan Checklist…distributed by Dept. of Mental Health which I added to greatly and was adopted iii. Powerpoint on line g. School Bullying Subcommittee initiated (I will participate. If others are interested, contact me.) h. Crisis Response Planning presentation i. Caruthersville, St. James i. Missouri School Violence Hotline i. 1-866-748-7047
3. School Mental Health Stakeholder Meeting (National) a. Laurie Hurwitz, LCSW, Project Director for the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care held 3 stakeholder meetings in Missouri to discuss school mental health services. Missouri is one of 3 states that has been targeted. They have already completed reports in Ohio and will also be going to Oregon. b. I was made aware of this project through SSWAA and Midwest Council. No one is sure about what the “agenda” is. It took a lot of persistence to finally be included “at the table”. I was also able to alert MASP and MSCA. Although MSCA did not respond, MASP was very grateful for the information and was also able to finally secure a position at the table. c. Sponsored by CDC. i. CDC Model (8 components) ii. To develop effective policy, programs and services iii. Used as a base for school mental health model development for state and LEA iv. More than 40 states already funded d. (Jim Koller) MIZZOU (appeared to be the state liaison for these meetings) i. Center for the Advancement of Mental Health Practices in Schools ii. On-line degree in Master of Education Specialist degree (hum??) http://www.schoolmentalhealth.missouri.edu/ iii. (Counseling Psychology) e. Kennedy and Dominici introducing school based mental health services legislation. f. How are mental health services being funded? g. One agency represented stated that schools had no business doing mental health. This position was challenged by myself and others present. h. It was mentioned that MO Health Net will be doing away with Medicaid. i. It was made abundantly clear by numerous stakeholders that Missouri has a long way to go regarding the provision of school mental health services. j. The project director could not believe that there were no standards/certification for school social workers in the state of Missouri or inclusion in MSIP. k. Several present were very vocal and supportive of school social workers. l. A full report from the 3 meetings will be made available in the future.
4. Missouri Center for Safe Schools (Glenn Berry & Russ Thompson) a. Missouri Violence Prevention Curriculum Framework Rev 12/04 b. Emergency Management Planning c. Check out these resources and others: http://education.umkc.edu/safe-school/
5. MSIP (Proposed legislation to eliminate ratios for counselors/librarians was not acted on)
6. SSW Manuals have been developed by Wisconsin and Minnesota. Minnesota’s will be available on line this July. Wisconsin’s is still only available in hard copy form. Contact Nic Dibble, SSW State Consultant, via nic.dibble@dpi.state.wi.us if interested in more information.
7. Bullying—Curriculum from WDPI a. http://dpi.wi.gov/pubsales/pplsvc2a.html
If you have any questions or would like any additional information, please feel free to contact me at dkontak1@aol.com. |