Slide 1

Indianapolis Public Schools Dr. Eugene G. White, Superintendent ROOTS Reclaiming Our Opportunities To Succeed Presented by: Robb Warriner, Director of Special Education 120 E. Walnut Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Judy Zimmerman, Supervisor of ROOTS Ami Anderson, Coordinator of ROOTS

Slide 2

ROOTS: Reclaiming Our Opportunities To Succeed The deeper the roots, the higher the reach. African Proverb

Slide 3

IPS Demographics Enrollment: 31,707 47 Elementary Schools, 1 middle school, 8 Community Schools, 3---9-12 schools Student Profile Black 53% White 23% Hispanic-18.% Multiracial-5% Asian/Native American 1%

Slide 4

IPS Demographics continued Single Parent Households Mother only 70% Grandparents and/or fathers only 10% District Mobility rate:70% 20% Special Education Students 14% students with Limited English proficiency 83% students receiving Free lunch

Slide 5

ROOTS A diagnostic/day treatment program for students who are struggling to succeed in their current school placement due to significant behavior and/or mental health concerns

Slide 6

VISION To grow the ROOTS of hope, trust, independence and self control in our students.

Slide 7

Mission To develop the foundation of school success in students with significant mental health and/or behavior challenges.

Slide 8

ROOTS: Background An increasing number of students with significant behavior and mental health concerns that are difficult to maintain safely in school To provide an intensive, diagnostic assessment of child and family needs With a goal to return student to home school with appropriate supports and services

Slide 9

What does ROOTS provide? Small classroom size Multidisciplinary treatment approach Daily focus on counseling and skill building Crisis intervention Medication management Family services

Slide 10

ROOTS Staff Part time Supervisor Program Coordinator Teachers Classroom Assistants- one per class Licensed Therapists-one per class Part Time Adult Therapist School Psychologist Child Psychiatrist Ancillary services as needed speech therapist, OT/PT Administrative assistant

Slide 11

ROOTS structure: Class size ratio 1:8 Class configurations-K-1,2-3,4-6,7-8 Treatment team planning on each child Three times a week VSA-yoga, visual arts and performing arts Action based learning

Slide 12

ROOTS serves students who are general education or special education Students are admitted to the program through a referral process Student receives a complete psychological and psychiatric evaluation if needed Students receive group therapy daily and individual therapy weekly ROOTS services:

Slide 13

ROOTS Information The CANS is administered on all children Parent involvement is a strong component Monthly parent support groups Twice a year family nights Adult therapist is available to support parents and their individual needs Intensive transition services are provided to students when they return to their school

Slide 14

What makes ROOTS so special? Its the opposite of zerotolerance.

Slide 15

Integration of services Self control curriculum is integrated into the academic curriculum. Providing a seamless delivery of necessary skill building. Reading workshop utilizes critical literacy to teach self control skills, while more effectively engaging the students in reading with high quality literature. Math, science, and social studies provide authentic opportunities to introduce, model, and practice the needed self control to be successful in school.

Slide 16

Mental health services beyond the child Adult therapist was added to meet the mental health needs of parents and guardians. Many of our families are stressed and lack support systems. The impact of raising children with significant challenges is profound. Several have their own histories of school failure, abuse, and their own mental health needs. Adult therapy, family therapy, support groups, home visits, and even medication management for the adults.

Slide 17

Intentional opportunities to succeed and grow! Artists teach and connect with students providing unique experiences including visual arts (ex: pottery), performing arts (ex: miming and drumming), and yoga. Rituals that recognize and celebrate growth.

Slide 18

Additional Roots Information Students stay a minimum of fifty school days Transportation, breakfast and lunch is provided Students follow the IPS curriculum and standards The day is slightly shortened to allow for staffings Balanced calendar is followed The facility is secure

Slide 19

Conclusion ROOTS was developed out of the concerns to successfully program for students with significantly challenging behaviors and mental health issues. ROOTS has become a full service program addressing the needs of the students and families.

Slide 20

ROOTS has provided many children the roots of hope, trust, independence and self- control to be successful in continuing their education and becoming useful productive citizens.

Slide 21

W e must structure opportunities into every childs daily routine that will enable him or her to experience feelings of competence, belonging, usefulness, potency and optimism. -Sagor, 1996

Slide 22