Most recent data confirms that the transition and learning "gap between youth and young adults (ages 14-24) with and without disabilities remains significant despite decades of federal and state legislation intended to improve education and employment opportunities" (Cheng & Shaewitz, 2020, p. 28). Researchers have highlighted that…

Eleven states offer 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers to organize and fund programs that provide in-home and community support services to address the unique needs of children and youth with complex mental health concerns and their families. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic-imposed restrictions on community…

The prevalence of mental health issues among youth, with nearly half meeting diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder and suicide being a leading cause of death, underscores the urgency for effective intervention (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). Summer camps, hosting millions of children annually, are urged by the American Camp…

This dissertation addresses a significant gap in existing research by exploring lived experiences of cisgender female adolescents (Grades 7-12) diagnosed with emotional disturbance (ED) in the U.S. Current statistics indicate that 28% of students in special education with an ED diagnosis are girls; yet, their perspectives remain largely absent…

Early adolescents entering middle school are at a pivotal developmental phase as they become less dependent on parents/guardians and seek greater autonomy while encountering a complexity of social demands requiring them to regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to achieve academic and social success. Yet, students who receive services…

Students at risk of emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) have difficulties and challenges making decision for independent living. The aim of the current study is to assess effect of occupational therapy and self-determination interventions on decision making and risky behaviors of students at risk of EBD. In a single-blind, randomized, controlled…

Despite the benefits of inclusive education, students with emotional disabilities (EDs), who are disproportionately Black, male, and economically marginalized, continue to be placed in segregated education settings more than students with many other classifications (OSEP Fast Facts: Children Identified With Emotional Disturbance, 2020. Retrieved…

We are regularly told that mental health problems are becoming more and more prevalent today, a trend exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. This way of conceiving what might rather be called people's--and particularly young people's--distress has several sources. Medical science has made spectacular progress over the last 50 years, encouraging…

There is a need for more research regarding school-based behavioral mental health services addressing problematic internalizing behaviors. The purpose of this quantitative study was to implement Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combined with Check-in/Check-out (CICO) in an alternative educational setting and evaluate its effects on (a)…

After natural disaster, survivors may experience moderate to severe signs and symptoms of emotional distress which may subside or worsen as time passes (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022). Adults pursuing higher education when natural disaster strikes experience an additional array of unique issues which may…

In this study, we explored possible differences between students studying the fine arts and their non-art major peers on three separate variables: mental health, stress, and time spent on academic work. We found that students who study the fine arts report higher rates of mental distress, stress, and spend more time on academic work than do their…

Interdisciplinary collaboration is critical to address the multiple and varied needs of students with social/emotional and behavioral (SEB) challenges. Yet little is known about the nature of collaboration between two specialist groups who commonly support them: behavior analysts and mental health specialists. Considering expectations for…

Exposure to war is known to impact children's physical and mental health. Recent research reveals that war exposure might even affect the developmental outcomes of children who are yet to be conceived. In this study, we sought to extend such prior work by investigating longitudinal associations between pre-conception war exposure and the…

Research shows that in a traditional college setting, resident assistants (RA) have access to and influence over students in several different ways. RAs are often utilized as academic and campus resources, counselors, problem solvers, and more. RAs have a unique access to students that no other administrator, faculty, or staff member does. Most…

Although there is a wealth of research addressing the association between mental health and school absenteeism, there are calls for a better understanding of how mental health difficulties might predict SAPs (Egger et al., 2003; Finning et al., 2022; Ingul et al., 2019; Wood et al., 2012). The aim of this paper was to create a more nuanced…