2022 Texas Health and Human Services Commission Mental Health Awareness Webinar Series
- 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Registration Link
May 13 - Social Media and Mental Health
- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Registration Link
May 20 - Suicide Prevention 101
- 3:00 - 4:00pm
- Registration Link
May 27 - Self-Care 101
- 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Registration Link
* For more information, contact MentalHealthFirstAid@hhsc.state.tx.us! *
Self Care/Mental Health Challenges/Trauma Informed Care
Self Care
- Mindful Self-Compassion for Educators Training
Six week online course designed for educators, caregivers, and those who work in the service of young people. Both beginners and those with significant mindfulness experience find this training deeply impactful. May 4-May 25, 2022 (meets weekly). Training Interest Form
- Beyond Burnout: Exploring the Cost of Caring Lunch & Learn
Utilizing a light-hearted, engaging approach, this presentation explores the ways in which our work impacts us as helping professionals. Participants will be given tools to decrease the risk for compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and burn-out.
Discussion will then focus on enhancing compassion satisfaction and resilience through individualized strategies. This presentation seeks to re-frame the way we think about "self-care” and will include a live Q&A with the Director of School and Community Engagement for The Trauma and Grief Center at The Hackett Center for Mental Health. May 13, 2022. 11:30am - 1:00pm. Registration Link
Mental Health Challenges
- Quieting the Silence: Sources of Support
Hear the moving stories of two parent-teen duos who faced mental health challenges with strength and resilience. May 17, 2022. 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Informational and Registration Link
- Virtual Discussion Groups for Hispanic and Latino/x Family Members of People with Mental Health Conditions
Three virtual discussion groups with Hispanic and Latino/x family members of people with mental health conditions to gain a better understanding of Hispanic and Latino/x people's experiences caring for loved ones, including the supports they have received and challenges encountered. PDF Flyer
- Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey
The CDC has released new data from the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) highlighting the magnitude of the challenges our nation’s youth faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. ABES provides results on students’ behaviors and experiences during the pandemic related to substance use, mental health and suicide, disruptions to student life, racism and more. CDC Article Link
- Creating Positive Childhood Experiences
Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. These relationships and environments are essential to creating positive childhood experiences and preventing adverse childhood experiences.
The CDC has added a page of information and resources to address positive childhood experiences as a way to prevent and counteract adverse experiences. Website Link
- DSM-5-TR Fact Sheet
The American Psychiatric Association has released new information regarding the current updates being made to the DSM-5! Through their website, you are able to download fact sheets that cover changes in the new edition, updated disorders, and general information about the DSM–5-TR. Website Link
- Helping Children Heal from the Mental Scars of COVID-19 -Video Link (CBS News)
- Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network Newsletter, Click Here
- New CDC Data - Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC’s first nationally representative survey of high school students during the pandemic can inform effective programs. Webpage Link
- Protecting Youth Mental Health
The Surgeon General released an advisory on youth mental health that underscores the growing harms of digital technologies — especially social media — on the mental health of our youth. It also provided what actions educators, family members, young people, social media and other technology companies could do to address this important issue. Document Link
- Responding to Children's Mental Health Crises with HOPE
Free virtual conference session sponsored by our NCTSN grant - Terrorism and Disaster Coalition for Child and Family Resilience (TDC4). Free CEs available! Click Here to access registration and more information.
- Texas Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week (Toolkit) - https://cmhaustin.weebly.com/
Trauma-Informed Care
- Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Oriented Schools Toolkit
Toolkit assists in implementing trauma-informed, resilience-oriented approaches in any school or school district. The primary audience for this toolkit includes school administrators, school board members, teachers, student support staff, parents and families, and community partners. Toolkit Link
- Voices from the Field: The Importance of Trauma-Informed Practices
Two national experts in trauma and resilience discuss why trauma-informed practices are important for students and schools and share ideas for educators to strengthen the culture of youth-serving organizations to better support individuals. YouTube Video Link
Human Trafficking IS Child Abuse
Fact Sheet: DHS Efforts to Combat Child Exploitation and Abuse
The DHS Child Exploitation Investigations Unit leads the nation in the fight against online child sexual abuse. CEIU detects and apprehends producers and distributors of child sexual abuse material and perpetrators of transnational child sexual abuse; identifies and rescues child victims around the world; and trains domestic and international law enforcement partners in cutting-edge investigative practices.
NEW! Child Abuse, Family Violence, Dating Violence, and Human Trafficking Frequently Asked Questions
- FAQ Document - Published April 14, 2022
Light the Way - End Human Trafficking 2022 Summit
- June 14-16, 2022
- Dallas, TX
School Violence/Behavioral Threat Assessment
Youth Violence Prevention Resources for K-12 Schools
Model Programs Guide Literature Review: Substance Use Prevention Programs - This literature review focuses on initiation of substance use among children and youth, protective factors that can buffer against initiation, various types of prevention programs and outcome evidence, and limitations to the research currently available. | OJJDP
School Policing Programs: Where We Have Been and Where We Need To Go Next - Learn about the history, implementation, roles and activities, training, impact, of school policing in the U.S. in a new NIJ-supported report. | NIJ
A Research-Based Practice Guide to Reduce Youth Gun and Gang/Group Violence - Developed with support from OJJDP, the Urban Institute created a guide of practical recommendations for stakeholders in local government, law enforcement and and community violence interventions implementing or refining strategies to reduce youth gun violence connected to gangs or groups in their communities. | OJJDP
Program Profile: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Vacant Lot Greening Program - This was an intervention to reduce crime and delinquency in urban areas by remediating vacant land. Trash and debris were removed from vacant lots and land was graded and new grass was planted. A small number of trees were planted in each lot to create a park-like setting and low wooden fences were installed around the lot’s perimeter, to deter illegal dumping and create a visible sign that the lot was cared for. This program was rated promising. | NIJ
Other School Safety Topics
MTSS Resources
- Tier 1 Universal Resource: TEA’s partners at the Texas School Safety Center have free tobacco/vape prevention toolkits that focus on mental health wellness. They can be shared with the entire school population through guidance lessons and campus décor.
- Tier 2 Targeted Resource: This student support group presentation and guide highlights practices that can be used with students who need targeted mental health supports.
- Tier 3 Intensive Resource: The Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program assists public school districts with identifying mental health care needs and teleservices. With this resource, school personnel are guided in supporting and referring students experiencing intensive mental health challenges. To learn more or submit a TCHATT referral, visit https://www.ttuhsc.edu/catr/about-tchatt.aspx.
School Climate Strategies and Resources
Research suggests that a positive school climate can lead to a significant decrease in the likelihood of crime, aggression, and violent behavior on a school campus, as well as result in improved student outcomes. SchoolSafety.gov team developed a two-page infographic, which outlines strategies for consideration as well as guides, reports, tools, trainings, and other resources. SchoolSafety.gov
Texas DFPS - Water Safety Toolkit
As we head into summer and swimming weather in Texas, May is officially National Water Safety Month! The DFPS wants your help empowering communities with resources and safety tips to help keep Texas children and families safe around water!
The promotion of water safety awareness within your community is not only important during the month of May, but year-round, especially in the summer when drowning rates rise.
The toolkit provides resources for both outdoor and indoor water safety, as well as resources to use via social media! Toolkit Link
Parent Engagement/Resources for Youth and Students!
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week: May 1-7, 2022
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is the first of May and shines a spotlight on the importance of caring for every child's mental health. Never has this been more urgent, as the nation and state see an alarming rise in the incidence of mental health concerns in children.
Get your Youth Involved - Action Board In-A-Box
- Visit the Project Protect Our Children website to learn more
- E-mail youthactionboard@projectprotectourchildren.com to request a free YAB In-A-Box.
Say What! Summits are free, one day trainings designed for youth groups in 6th – 12th grade who are passionate about helping to create healthy, tobacco, nicotine, and vape-free lives and communities. Summits are led by the Say What! Teen Ambassadors and provide youth groups an opportunity to network and connect with other likeminded youth, develop teen leadership skills, and perfect their youth advocacy skills.
This summit season will focus on youth vaping prevention and feature expert guest speakers discussing the dangers of tobacco and vape litter on the environment, why tobacco is a social justice issue and how youth and adults can help create equality, the tobacco industry’s dirty strategies when targeting youth and various communities, and how youth groups can become advocates for youth tobacco prevention.
- For dates, more information, and to register, CLICK HERE!
Resources to Help Our Kids Thrive - Child Mind Institute
The stresses and disruption of the last two years have taken their toll on children and teenagers in many ways, and it’s no surprise that it shows in their behavior. With schooling and family routines interrupted and uncertainty so much a part of our lives now, many kids are acting out more and finding it harder to manage big emotions.
The following links look at what causes problem behavior, strategies parents can use to reel it in, and how expert backup can help families understand what’s going on and find a solution:
Title IVA Program Meeting/Other Conferences
2022 Texas School Safety Conference - Keeping School Safety a Priority: A Collaborative Approach
- June 19 - 23, 2022
- Registration: $350 (ends May 27, 2022); $400 (begins May 28, 2022)
- San Antonio Marriott River Center
- Register Here!
9th-Annual TASRO Safe Schools Conference
- June 27, 2022
- Hilton Palacio del Rio, 200 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78205-3213
- Register Here!
Upcoming Deadlines & Due Dates
2021-2022 Physical Fitness Assessment—Due June 10, 2022
- All fitness data submitted must be submitted on or before 5:00 pm (CDT) on June 10, 2022.
- Questions related to the PFAI application may be directed to TEA’s Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division by emailing pfaiprogramsupport@tea.texas.gov.
2021-2022 Annual School Health Survey—Due May 27, 2022
- Additional information regarding the survey and the link to participate are provided in the following TEA correspondence: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/school-health-survey-0.
- Districts and open enrollment charter schools must complete the 2021-2022 survey on or before 5:00 pm (CDT) on May 27, 2022.
- For questions related to the annual survey, please contact healthandsafety@tea.texas.gov.
SSSP Data Collection
- TAA Letter, April 07, 2022 - Safe and Supportive School Program Update
- Qualtrics data collection for 2021-2022 SY will be open from June 1-30, 2022
- Same data to be collected as past 2 years
- Survey will be sent to Superintendent. Make sure Superintendent information is updated in AskTED.
- AskTED is now asking for another individual who serves in the SSSP role to be identified as a district contact.
- Beginning with the 2022-2023 SY, LEAs will report SSSP team activities by CAMPUS
- More TEA SSSP resources to be released Fall, 2022
- 2022-2023 SSSP - Data Elements: New data element to Student Discipline indicates whether the SSSP team conducted a threat assessment related to a reported disciplinary incident
Bullying Report (New - 87th Legislature)
- PEIMS Summer Submission
- Element ID: E1727 - Number of Bullying Incidents at each Campus
- Element ID: E1728 - Number of Cyber Bullying at each Campus
- TEC 48.009 (b-4)
District Audit Reports
- At the end of the Safety Audit process, schools will be required to submit a District Audit Report to Texas School Safety Center.
- August 2023 - Public schools expected deadline.
- August 2022 - Charter schools expected deadline.
- District audit cycle ends on August 31, 2022. The reporting period for this cycle begins April 15, 2022.
- The online reporting system (CARtool) used to submit your audit data to the TxSSC will open on April 15, 2022 and must be completed by September 15, 2022.
- TxSSC began reaching out to verify Superintendent contact information on January 17, 2022 to ensure all districts receive a link to the online reporting system.
- For more information
Emergency Operation Plans and Annexes can be requested at any time by Texas School Safety Center.
- HB 3597 now allows Texas School Safety Centers to request that schools submit safety-related MOUs and Mutual Aid Agreements.
Safety Audits
- September 2020 - August 2023: Public schools should conduct a safety audit of facilities
- September 2019 - August 2022: Charter schools should conduct a safety audit of facilities
TEA Resources you can Use!
TAA (3/31/2022) - Minimum Standards for Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures
Public comments will be accepted April 1 through April 30, 2022, and should be submitted to StudentDisciplineSupport@tea.texas.gov with the subject line “Minimum Standards Public Comment.”
- TEA Webpage Link
- PDF Link (downloadable)
NEW! TEA School Counseling Page
Title IV, Part A FAQ Document
New TEA Parent Resources Page
- Features information on accelerated learning and related tutoring supports being provided to all students working to overcome the learning disruptions caused by COVID-19
- Webpage Link
LaNetra Guess, Program Director, Title IV, Part A & TEA
- ESC Title IV, Part A Capacity Building Initiative, September 21 Presentation
- Title IV, Part A Program Guide
- Title IV, Part A Use of Funds One-Pager
- Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Website
- Title IV Frequently Asked Questions Document
- Title IV, Part A ESC School Safety State Initiative
ESC Resources
Previous ESC newsletters
District Resources
Previous LEA Newsletters
FAQ Page
Contacts
Nancy Galle, Title IV Part A School Safety Consultant
Amber Guthrie, Intern
Email: rpruitt@esc14.net
Website: https://www.esc14.net/page/t4si
Location: 1850 State Highway 351, Abilene, TX, USA
Phone: 325-675-8600
