C11.02 - Approve the Mental Health Plan for the Use of the Mental Health Assistance Allocation (Climate and Culture)

During the 2018 session of the Florida Legislature, considerable attention was given to student safety and mental health; as a result of the February 14, 2018 school shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  Details surrounding the school shooting brought to light the significant mental health history of the perpetrator, thus creating a sense of urgency about reinforcing the structural and physical safety of school buildings while also providing needed mental health supports for students.

Section 1011.62(16), Florida Statutes, states that the mental health assistance allocation was created to provide funding to assist school districts in establishing or expanding school-based mental health care; train educators and other school staff in detecting and responding to mental health issues; and connect children, youth, and families who may experience behavioral health issues with appropriate services.

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) requires all school districts to update and submit a Mental Health Plan in order to be awarded funding from the Mental Health Assistance Allocation.  This mental health plan will focus on meeting the needs of all students and provide training to all staff on mental heal awareness and initiatives.  Several focus groups including school and district administrators, the Hillsborough County Local Planning Team (LPT), and a parent and student representative met to review and revise the district's mental health plan to reflect the mandates and legislation required.  The planning process sought to review implementation success and identity needs in order to improve and align our health services.

The Florida legislation states that school districts will work to increase access to mental health services for students.  To adhere to the legislative requirements, Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) will work to meet the nationally recommended ratio model of school-based mental health professionals to students: 1:250 school social workers and school counselors, and 1:500 school psychologists, by adding units to increase direct services to students.  Currently, the HCPS ratios are as follows:  School Social Workers: 1:826, School Counselors: 1:403, and School Psychologists: 1:1,088.

HCPS will continue to collaborate and create partnerships with community agencies to provide direct mental health supports to students. HCPS will use mental health data collected at the end of the 2019/2020 school year to identify schools that would benefit from additional mental health services through our contracted community partners. In addition, HCPS will provide mental health awareness training to all stakeholders, including student-centered trainings on mental health and suicide prevention.  This work is outlined in the HCPS Mental Health Plan for the 2020/2021 school year.

HCPS submitted the school board approved Mental Health Plan in August 2018 and August 2019 to the FLDOE.  These approved plans included a detailed budget and implementation outline of mental health supports provided by the district.  Based on the 2018/2019 school year's mental health data submitted by each school site, the HCPS Student Services staff referred 16,498 students for either school-based or community-based mental health services or assistance.  For the 2019/2020 school year, the mental health data is currently being collected and analyzed and submitted to the state in an annual report by September 30, 2020.  In addition to this data, the District Mental Health Clinicians have triaged over 490 student referrals for mental health supports through our contracted managing entity, Central Florida Behavior Health Network, Inc. and through our contracted community partnerships that include: Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Chrysalis Health, Gracepoint, Healing Education Alternatives for Deserving Students, Northside Behavior Health, and Success 4 Kids and Families.

HCPS will continue to increase the ratio of mental health professionals to students as well as continue to expand our partnerships with contracted community agencies to support the need for mental health services to students.  In addition, HCPS will continue to provide education and awareness to all stakeholders on mental health and emotional wellness topics.

Goal 1: To increase mental health awareness in schools and provide protective and proactive measures for school safety.

Strategy 1:1 Provide direct mental health support to students and families through site-based and community-based mental health interventions.

Approve the 2020/2021 Mental Health Plan for the use of the Mental Health Assistance Allocation

Elizabeth Tanner, Supervisor, Emotional Wellness, Student Services, elizabeth.tanner@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-4138
Holly Saia, Ed. S., General Director, Student Services, holly.saia@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7136
Tracye H. Brown, Chief of Climate and Culture, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4879

Upon approval of the Mental Health Plan by both The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida and the FLDOE, a total estimated allocation of $7,348,987 (minus the Charter School Mental Health funding estimate of $1,158,928.00 due to charter school sites writing a plan specific for their site) will result in a total allocation of $6,190,059.00.

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