1st Edition

Advocating for Mental Health Supports in Schools A Step-by-Step Guide

By Katherine A. Dockweiler Copyright 2023
    264 Pages 18 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    264 Pages 18 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Advocating for Mental Health Supports in Schools shows readers how to advocate for, and achieve, more mental health supports in schools.

    This timely book takes an actionable stance on the mental health issues schools are facing today, offering concrete strategies on how to advocate and what to advocate for. It contains model policy examples and expert advice from policy makers and practitioners across the country who are leaders in advocacy work. The book is divided into three sections. "Advocacy Truths" orients the reader as to what advocacy is and how to do it. "Policy Making" breaks down the complexity of the policy making process using simple terms and language, making it feel accessible and feasible. Finally, "Levels in Action" provides examples of federal, state, and local policy options to increase school-based mental health supports in schools. This section also outlines the ARTERY Pipeline Framework, showing readers how to systemically create workforce solutions to successfully recruit, train, and retain more school-based mental health professionals.

    Within this guide, educators; school-based mental health professionals; graduate students in school psychology, counseling, and social work; school board members; policy makers; families and others will find concrete solutions to incorporate into their advocacy work at all levels of policy making.

    About the Author  Foreword  Preface  Acknowledgments  Section 1: Advocacy Truths  1. The Students are Not Okay and they Haven’t Been for a While  2. Your Past Led You Here  3. Advocacy is Uncomfortable  4. Advocacy Has a Strategic Scope  5. Advocacy is Relationship Building  Section 2: The Policy Making Process  6. Boomerang Policy Making Model  7. Advocacy Action Phase 1: The Message  8. Advocacy Action Phase 2: The Puzzle  9. Advocacy Action Phase 3: Puzzle Management  Section 3: Levels in Action  10. One State’s Policy Journey: Expanding Access to School-Based Mental Health Providers from the Federal Level to the Classroom  11. Federal Engagement  12. State Statutes  13. State Regulations  14. State Education Agencies  15. Institutes of Higher Education  16. Workforce Development: ARTERY Pipeline Framework  17. Local Education Agencies  18. School Role with Policies and Implementation  19. Getting Started  Glossary  Index

    Biography

    Katherine A. Dockweiler, EdD, NCSP, is a policy researcher and school psychologist. She is an assistant professor of School Psychology at Nevada State College, a Nevada State Board of Education member, NASP Communications Committee Chair, and creator of the ARTERY Pipeline Framework.

    "Dr. Dockweiler expertly breaks down the advocacy process so that even the most inexperienced advocate will walk away from this book feeling empowered to advocate for school mental health services."

    From the foreword by Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach, PhD, Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Association of School Psychologists

    "Advocating for Mental Health Supports in Schools is a fantastic resource for stakeholders engaged in student mental health work at all levels of policy making. It touches on collaboration, workforce, and funding priorities and provides a view of the policy landscape that is rarely placed in one resource."

    Meghan McCann, JD, Assistant Director, Education Commission of the States

    "I am excited for Advocating for Mental Health Supports in Schools as readers will find it a relatable and practical manual. We have a desperate need for a how-to book on advocacy and policy to inspire change around the topic of school-based mental health and workforce development."

    Sara Hunt, PhD, Assistant Dean of Behavioral Health Sciences at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV