Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Technical Service Agreement with Kelly S. Williams as Protocol Development Specialist from July 1, 2008, to January 31, 2009, under Hillsborough County Public Schools Federal Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems Program Grant, PR Award #Q215M070028 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The United States Department of Education awarded $322,756 to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) to implement the District’s Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems grant project. Of this total amount, $22,400 is for project services rendered by Kelly S. Williams. The purpose of the project is to enhance the current collaborative efforts between existing school-based systems and mental health systems to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services to students. Ms. Williams will facilitate the development and implementation of project protocols and procedures. Ms. Williams will receive data and information on the current status, resources, and gaps that exist in the delivery of mental health services to students. Identified gaps will result in procedural protocols designed to more effectively link mental health and substance abuse services providers with the school system. Training for district and school-level staff on the use of new protocols will be provided. This position was advertised to include district psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors and FMHI, USF staffs. Ms. Williams was selected from a group of experienced applicants.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

Goal 5 – The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funding for this project is provided by USDOE’s Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems Grant award (#Q215M070028). Hillsborough County Public Schools is the grant’s fiscal agent and project funds reside with the District.

EVALUATION

Under the terms of the grant, Dr. Oliver Massy, Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), USF will perform the project evaluation. A copy of the final evaluation report will be provided to HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the final evaluation is April 30, 2009.

SUBMITTED BY: Nelson H. Luis, Director, Student Support Services

Gwendolyn Luney
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.23
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080520_293 * Section A Item# 5.23