Region 7 ESC

Mental Health RoleHead Start Teacher Role

Child Plus and Mental HealthStrategies

Mental Health Resources

Copyright (2017) by Region 7 Education Service Center. Al l Rights Reserved.

MENTAL HEALTHQuick Reference Guide

Head Start Mental Health Will:

• Provide comprehensive, early intervention services to children and families, connecting home and school

• Provide information, communication, and training opportunities to inform and support teachers in meeting the needs of the child with mental health concerns

Services Include:- Observation and Follow-Up of Mental Health Referrals in the Classroom- Strategies / Intervention for Challenging Behavior- Consultation with Teacher / Parent / Administrator- Collaboration with Schools for Student Services- Training for Teachers / Parents to Promote Social Skil ls and Emotional Self-Regulation- Providing Information / Materials on Mental Health Topics for Teachers / Parents- Referral of Families for Outside Services, Including: Parenting Support, Counseling, and Evaluation

Mental Health Role

Head Start Teacher

Head Start Teacher Role

General Classroom Procedures / Management:

- Respect demonstrated? Make eye contact. Use a calm voice. Model caring and sharing.

- Awareness of individual needs? Acknowledge emotions. Provide comfort and assistance.

- Expectations clear and concise? Review rules. Explain the next step before it is taken.

- Consistency and Routine? Do the same thing, the same way, at the same time, all the time. Provide visual pictures for procedures.

- Transitions swift and meaningful? Check your schedule. Consider planning a low energy activity following a high energy activity. Provide lots of music and movement.

- Preparation of materials for the day? Anticipate areas of concern before they arise.

- Pacing adequate? Notice and manage wait time for the next activity.

Composure:

- Manage stress levels- Practice deep breathing and calming activities- Use Positive Self Talk: (“I am safe. I can handle this.”)- Model self control

Child Plus & Mental Health Referrals

Entering a Mental Health Referral in Child Plus(Remember to Email MH Staff)

1 . Log in to Chi ld Plus. Select the Student. In the Services bar, cl ick on Mental Health2. Transaction mini-tab3. Cl ick ADD TRANSACTION. The Transaction Information wil l populate4. For Transaction Date - enter the current date of the referral5. Transaction Type - Select - Referral from the drop-down6. Status - Select - Observation Needed7. Source - Select - Teacher8. Refer to - Select - Head Start9. Transaction Notes - Enter the reason for the referral to Mental Health

Strategies

Automatic Referrals

Two Positive Choices Additional Strategies

Effective Teacher Language

Suspended or sent home due to behavior

Placed in foster care

Initiating sexual play / behaviors

Hurting other chi ldren / patterns of aggression

Parent / Guardian requests a referral be submitted

Offer chi ldren under the age of f ive a choice between two predetermined events or objects. Example: “You have a choice. You may bui ld blocks, or draw.” “You may pick up the blocks or the cars, which do you choose?” Acknowledge the choice that the chi ld has made and encourage them to continue to make choices.

Note: some chi ldren may not make a choice. If they won’t choose, leave them with the choices presented and walk away. Come back to them in a few minutes to see if they were able to make a choice, or present them with the choices again.

Use Assertive Commands that tell children what to do:

Pick up the animals and gently place them in the tub, l ike this. (demonstrate)

Acknowledge children’s success and describe what you see:

You did it! You took turns with the glue so you both could have a turn.

Set up transition expectations prior to transition taking place:

When I cal l your name, slowly walk to the door l ike you are a butterf ly.

Is clear, simple and direct (“Sit Down!”)

Is genuine and respectful (“Thank You, that was helpful!”)

Gives specif ic, positive feedback rather than general praise (“You did it! You picked up the blocks and put them on the shelf.”)

Focuses on the chi ld’s actions or behavior rather than general iz ing about the chi ld’s whole person. (Avoid saying things l ike “You’re such a good boy!)

Avoids qual itative or personal judgment (“You’re so pretty!”)

Shows faith in the chi ld’s abi l it ies and potential

Immediate Crisis Referral: I f a family has experienced an immediate crisis, such as death of a chi ld, death of a parent, or severe loss due to a natural disaster, an immediate referral needs

to be made to the Mental Health Coordinator, via telephone cal l .

Mental Health Resources

Resources

https://sites.google.com/site/r7mentalhealth/

http://consciousdiscipline.com/

https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/docs/redirecting-teacher-tips.pdf

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/practice/engage/social-stories.html

http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/challenging-behavior/

:http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/strategies.html#teachingskil ls

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/mentalhealth.html