Gov. Ricketts, State Agencies Spotlight Behavioral Health Resources for Schools

Press Release

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) highlighted two new resources aimed at helping schools access mental health resources.

"Nebraska is seizing opportunities to address behavioral health needs. Our goal is to collectively support, enhance, and sustain safe, healthy, and successful learning environments for all Nebraska's children and youth," said Governor Ricketts. "We can do this through a comprehensive, integrated team approach to school safety, grounded in collaboration, context, and best practices."

The issue is a priority for the Governor and the two state agencies. Developing and implementing a plan for educating school personnel on mental health resources is a deliverable in the DHHS 2018-2019 Business Plan, and DBH will actively collaborate with NDE. The resource, known as the Behavioral Health Resources for Schools, is a toolkit for school personnel. It is also available online at http://dhhs.ne.gov/behavioral_health/SOC/Pages/Home.aspx.

NDE was also recently awarded a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Nebraska's AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency Education)-SEA (State Education Agency) project is designed to enhance collaboration between state and local systems to promote mental health awareness, response, and intervention through an array of school and community-based services for students. The grant will provide $1.8 million per year, for up to five years.

Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health, noted that DBH has received multiple requests from education partners about accessing school-based mental health resources, and as a result, DBH developed the new toolkit.

"Schools and other educational organizations across the state are in a unique position to help connect youth and families to behavioral health services," said Director Dawson. "Education staff are often the first to identify the needs of youth and it is our commitment to support them in making resource information readily available to those who care for and serve Nebraska's children and youth."

"School officials consistently tell me that the mental and behavioral health of students is among their biggest concerns and challenges," said Commissioner of Education Matthew Blomstedt. "We know students are dealing with a lot every day and need extra support. This project and collaboration is designed to find ways to provide that support. We hope to find strategies and solutions in this project that we can build upon throughout the state."

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