Building One Bridge to AnotherSupporting Mental Health Needs of Homeless Students

2015-2016

I care by---

What we Know

-Approximately 6% of MMSD population is currently experincing homeless

-In 2011, 16 % of general population K-12 were identified with a Mental Health Concern while 26.4% of homeless K-12 population were identified with a Mental Health Need

-12 students out of 90 students (13%) receiving support through Intensive Support Team are currently identified homeless.

What we know-Homelessness is a trauma on its own.

-Homelessness does not happen without a previous trauma.domestic/sexual violenceloss of homenatural disastereviction

-There is a Federal Law which requires public school distrcits to support students experiencing homelessness- McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

What we know

-Poverty induced trauma includes homelessness and high mobility (see link)

-Students who are experincing homeless may act out towards other students and teachers in an attempt to control those relationships since they are not in control of much else in their lives

Healing Hands, Vol. 4No. 1

-Children who have experienced trauma show a range of symptoms similar to PTSD or abuse

-The brain responds to trauma by producing survival coping mechanisms

-Tell tale signs of trauma may be hyper-vigilance, over-reacting to minor events, startling easily, etc

What we know-Some students push their frustration and fear outward and others pull it inward and withdraw.

-Brain survival coping leads to perfectionism, “If I do everything perfectly, we won’t have to move again. I won't have to leave this school.” They have a belief that they can prevent bad things from happening.

-Situational Anxiety has been misdiagnosed as ADHD.

Healing Hands vo. 4 No 1

Turn and share:

What do you or your building staff do to support children in meeting the unmet needs identified from Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Where do you get stuck?

What interferes?

MMSD Mental Health Community Collaborations-Parent Groups

-Building Bridges-Catholic Charities, MMSD and Dane County

-Behavior Health in Schools-Therapy in Schools collaboration between Catholic Charities and MMSD. Funding from a grant, 3 schools 2 Elem, 1 Middle

-Hancock Center- Movement Therapy

-Mental Health google site from MMSD-Intensive Support Team (link)

CollaborationBASES: (Building Academic, Social, and Emotional Supports) for young children experiencing homelessness, collaboration with UW Dept of Ed, Headstart and MMSD. (3 year grant)

3 Elementary sites, Mentors with young studentsAccess through Homeless status

Trauma Modules

Continuum of MMSD Supports

Secondary: Some

Developmental Designs Responsive Classrooms

Tier 2 groups, School, Face-Kids,

CBITS

Social Emotional Learning

HolisticChild Centered Plan

Primary: All

Tertiary: Few

Zones of Regulation< -

Nati

onal

Equity

Proj

ect -

>

<- Res

torative

Practic

es - >

Mindfulness

Collaborative Problem Solving

Motivational Interviewing

Other Strategies-Healthy snacks and breakfast available for whenever child arrives at school

-Special place” to keep their belongings

-Elementary school level-use of tents to create individual space for the child. Useful for taking a break (TAB) or place for naps etc,

-Daily 1:1 check in with caring adult

-Special conferencing with classroom

Strategies-Visual schedules, individual schedules, sensory breaks, quiet breaks

-Washing of clothing (with parent permission)

-Photo’s that include them in the picures (classroom, family) – where they can see that they are a part of the community

-Friendship groups, Small group curriculum focusing on homeless coping skills-(see MMSD Gina Aguglina link )

Staff Development-Teacher team conferencing to broaden understanding of student needs – include Specials teachers

-Staff trainings to broaden understanding of trauma of homelessness and how it presents itself with students

Broadening your impact-2 credit Graduate Credit Class -Understanding Homelessness and High Mobility

-3 Credit Classroom Action Research - pairing with local University to research topics specific to supporting students experincing homelessness. Students complete a project providing support for students experincing homelessness in their schools or porgrams.

-Mental Health Professional Development Trainings,

- Madison Metro. School District Trauma modules see lInk

LinksProtecting the Mental Health of Homeless Children & Youth: Healing Hands Nov 4 No 1

Madison Metropolitan School District Trauma Modules

Shelter from the Storm article - Teaching Tolerance

Gina Aguglia - Middle School Clubs

Severe Poverty Affects Brains Development, Wi school News pages 14-17

Homeless-and Doubled Up, Educational Leadership March 2015

Contact Information Jani Koester, Transition Education Program, Resource Teacher

jkoester@madison.k12.wi.us; 608-204-2063

Pat Smith, MSSW, Intentive Support Team, Social Worker

psmith@madison.k12.wi.us; 608-204-3048