Mid FAIRFIELD / norwalk public schools: comprehensive mental health and wellness services & supports initiative - mid-FAIRFIELD child guidance center (also referred to as mid-FAIRFIELD community…

Mid FAIRFIELD / norwalk public schools: comprehensive mental health and wellness services & supports initiative - mid-FAIRFIELD child guidance center (also referred to as mid-FAIRFIELD community care center (mid-FAIRFIELD)) FY2024 congressionally directed spending project is a collaborative effort of mid-FAIRFIELD and norwalk public schools (NPS) (additional project partners include but are not limited to the child health and development institute (CHDI), city of norwalk community services department, and norwalk acts). The project is titled: mid-FAIRFIELD / norwalk public schools: comprehensive mental health and wellness services & supports initiative. The purpose of the project is to help close the GAP in equitable access to comprehensive mental health and wellness services and supports by building upon our current partnership with norwalk public schools (NPS) to improve, expand, enhance, and augment the array of mental health services provided to students, parents/caregivers (FAMILIES), and teachers/support staff. Embedding support within schools reduces barriers that many FAMILIES experience when seeking mental health services for their children. In addition to providing direct counseling (e.g., individual, family, group therapies) and wraparound care coordination, directly to students and FAMILIES, mid FAIRFIELD will provide consultation and coaching (e.g., tiered interventions, trainings (trauma, social-emotional tools and strategies)) to teachers/support staff to build a foundation and framework that creates safe and supportive school environments that foster resilience and recovery which are critical for improving student outcomes. The proposed program model is based on the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework which promotes increasing awareness of mental health issues through education at the lowest level to providing more intensive direct services for school-ages youth at the highest level of need. Mid-FAIRFIELD will deploy licensed clinicians, care coordinators, and mental health consultants (english- and/or spanish-speaking) to be hired and supervised by mid FAIRFIELD and embedded within identified NPS schools. The project will also used evidenced based curricula and data-based decision making to provide a clear framework to address mental health and behavior issues while promoting a health school climate and culture.