ERIC Number: EJ1013394
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Feb
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Challenges to Collaboration in School Mental Health and Strategies for Overcoming Them
Weist, Mark D.; Mellin, Elizabeth A.; Chambers, Kerri L.; Lever, Nancy A.; Haber, Deborah; Blaber, Christine
Journal of School Health, v82 n2 p97-105 Feb 2012
Background: This article reviews challenges to collaboration in school mental health (SMH) and presents practical strategies for overcoming them. Methods: The importance of collaboration to the success of SMH programs is reviewed, with a particular focus on collaboration between school- and community-employed professionals. Challenges to effective collaboration between school and community-employed professionals in SMH are considered. Strategies for overcoming challenges to effective collaboration are presented. Results: Marginalization of the SMH agenda, limited interdisciplinary teamwork, restricted coordination mechanisms, confidentiality concerns, and resource and funding issues are key challenges to collaboration. Strategies targeted toward each of these challenges may help improve the effectiveness of SMH programs and ultimately student outcomes. Conclusions: Collaboration between school- and community-employed professionals is critical to the success of SMH
programs. Despite its promise, the success of SMH programs can be jeopardized by ineffective collaboration between school and community-employed professionals. Strategies to overcome marginalization, promote authentic interdisciplinary teamwork, build effective coordination mechanisms, protect student and family confidentiality, and promote policy change and resource enhancements should be addressed in SMH improvement planning.
Descriptors: Mental Health Programs, Performance Factors, Barriers, Change Strategies, Partnerships in Education, Agency Cooperation, School Community Programs, School Community Relationship, School Health Services, Community Health Services, Integrated Services
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2429/WileyCDA/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 1974; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996; Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004; No Child Left Behind Act 2001
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A