In this episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton engages in an insightful discussion with Brice Frasure from Logan Hocking Schools. They delve into the pivotal role of Student Assistance Programming (SAP) in enhancing the well-being of students and staff. Brice shares how SAP, an evidence-based framework, aids in addressing non-academic barriers such as mental health, behavioral issues, and family concerns, creating a coordinated support system that complements existing educational initiatives.

Throughout the conversation, Amanda and Brice discuss the journey of implementing SAP at Logan Hocking Schools, emphasizing the challenges and successes of coordinating support structures in educational settings. They explore the importance of a systems approach, the necessity of stakeholder engagement, and the value of community partnerships. This episode shines a light on strategies for early identification, the power of referrals, and the critical role of staff wellness in maintaining robust educational programs. Keywords like "student assistance programs," "mental health support," and "community partnerships" are central themes woven throughout their dialogue.

• Coordinated Support Systems: Discover how SAP can align and enhance existing support frameworks within schools, tackling barriers to learning in a holistic manner.

• Role of Community Partnerships: Learn about the significance of engaging local agencies in creating a seamless support network for students and staff.

• Early Identification & Strengths-Based Referrals: Explore the value of screening tools and well-designed referral processes in identifying students' needs, while leveraging their strengths.

• Staff Wellness: Understand the importance of prioritizing staff wellness to ensure that educators can effectively support students.

• Continuous Improvement: Uncover the iterative nature of SAP implementation that allows schools to adapt and refine their strategies to meet evolving student requirements.

• "SAP provides a coordinated framework that looks at aligning services to meet whole child initiatives." - Brice Frasure

• "It’s important that the support processes include the family voice; it’s about working with them, not doing for them." - Brice Frasure

• "Schools can't fix everything, but we need to have systems in place to help coordinate support resources for removing barriers." - Brice Frasure

• "A lot of what we find successful are the things we adjust and adapt as needed; it’s about aligning our systems effectively." - Brice Frasure

• "Staff wellness is essential because, without it, we can't adequately support students or sustain programs." - Brice Frasure

• Signs of Suicide - Nationwide Children's Hospital

• PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) resources

• 317 Board - Athens, Hocking, and Vinton County ADAMH Board

• SAP Resources - Library of materials to boost the SAP Program in your community or district

Explore more about these themes and gain comprehensive insights by tuning into the full episode. Stay connected for more enlightening discussions from the School Wellness series, aimed at enhancing educational environments through expert dialogues.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.

In this episode of "School Wellness with Amanda Hampton," hosted by certified prevention specialist Amanda Hampton, the focus is on tackling chronic absenteeism in Ohio schools. Joined by Patrick Hickman from the Office of Whole Child Supports, the discussion delves into the pressing issue of student and staff attendance post-pandemic. The episode not only explores historical and current data trends but also examines the underlying causes contributing to absenteeism, providing a detailed overview that is both informative and thought-provoking.

Patrick Hickman shares valuable insights into the mission of the Office of Whole Child Supports, emphasizing non-academic barriers to learning and chronic absenteeism's impact on educational outcomes. Utilizing data from Ohio's schools, Patrick elaborates on how relationships and community engagement can be pivotal in combating absenteeism. The conversation touches on the differences between chronic absenteeism and truancy, while providing schools with strategies to enhance student attendance through relationship-building, early intervention, and comprehensive community support.

• Chronic absenteeism was high even before the pandemic: The episode highlights that absenteeism rates were already concerning pre-pandemic and have worsened post-pandemic.
• The importance of community engagement: Patrick Hickman emphasizes that schools with strong family and community relationships exhibit lower rates of absenteeism.
• Differences between truancy and chronic absenteeism: Understanding these distinctions helps schools target the root causes of absenteeism more effectively.
• Implementing attendance intervention strategies: Early intervention, relationship mapping, and leveraging community resources are essential strategies for improving attendance.
• Adaptability of interventions: Schools are encouraged to incorporate attendance strategies into existing structures like PBIS and MTSS to mitigate capacity issues.

• "I help with folks who need help with attendance law, like understanding the state statutes and what schools should and shouldn't be doing." – Patrick Hickman
• "Relationships matter a lot. Schools saw about a 6% improvement in chronic absence post-remote learning simply because they had strong family engagement." – Patrick Hickman
• "Attendance is not like that most other educational problems; relationships are key, and there's no quick fix." – Patrick Hickman
• "Regular attendance is linked to overall academic performance, and we have the data to connect those things." – Patrick Hickman
• "We have to make sure that school is a place that students want to be, and it has to be a place that parents want to send their kids." – Patrick Hickman

• Ohio Department of Education Attendance Support
• Ohio's Official Attendance Guide

Tune into the full episode for an in-depth understanding of how schools can combat attendance issues effectively.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.

In this engaging episode of School Wellness, Amanda Hampton delves into the intricacies of creating a trauma-informed classroom with educator Katie Ostendorf. Katie shares her journey into teaching, fueled by a passion sparked during a high school mentoring experience. She describes her continued dedication to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment. With a primary focus on ELA and the integration of social studies, Katie's approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the emotional needs of students through trauma-informed practices and goal setting.

Listeners will gain valuable insight into how behavior communication can be harnessed to enhance teaching practices and support student growth. Katie discusses various strategies, including utilizing PAX GBG and creating calm spaces, to help students manage their emotions and behaviors effectively. These strategies not only create a positive school climate but also enable students to develop self-regulation skills critical in their academic and personal lives. The conversation underscores the necessity of a compassionate approach in education and the impact of continued professional development in areas such as mental health and trauma-informed teaching.

• Goal Setting for Growth: Katie emphasizes the importance of empowering students through goal setting, facilitating ownership over both academic and personal achievements.

• Behavior as Communication: Understanding student behavior as a form of communication and addressing underlying needs rather than just the symptoms is crucial in a trauma-informed classroom.

• Importance of SEL and Morning Meetings: Implementing morning meetings and social-emotional learning programs helps students develop the necessary skills for self-regulation and emotional expression.

• Effective Use of Calming Spaces: Creating dedicated spaces for students to decompress can significantly affect students' ability to manage stress and regain focus.

• Avoiding Power Struggles: Building a trauma-informed classroom involves avoiding personalizing student behavior, avoiding power struggles, and focusing on proactive support.

• "Behavior is communication...we can't take the behavior personally."

• "Start the school year with goal writing... give themselves ownership."

• "If that 15 minutes of morning meetings gets us that time back in the classroom, it's worth it."

• "Focus on those students who are engaging appropriately."

• "Don't take away their recess...recess is a time for them to navigate those behaviors."

• PAX Good Behavior Game (GBG): A behavioral intervention Katie finds effective in her classroom.

• Book: "Self-Regulation in the Classroom: Helping Students Learn How to Learn" by Richard M. Cash.

• Website: Centervention offers free resources for social-emotional learning and student reflection.

For a deep dive into these strategies and insights on enhancing educational practices through a trauma-informed lens, listen to the full episode. Stay tuned for more impactful content from School Wellness that connects you with foundational resources and support in education.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at OhioSBCOE.org.