Healthy minds, healthy lives
Schools are where students are at - so we're bringing behavioral health services to them. We're promoting overall wellness so academic success is possible for every student. Click the "Apply now" button below to apply for the 2019-2020 school year.
School-based behavioral health screening and intervention
Many communities have identified behavioral health as a top health priority. The state of Wisconsin health plan has likewise prioritized behavioral health. Evidence shows that behavioral health is critical to many aspects of learning and development. This means early identification of behavioral health issues and accompanying intervention help school children thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
School personnel play an important role in early intervention and prevention when they provide student support and connect students to effective services. Security Health Plan is proud to partner with Mindfield, LLC, in an effort to promote the behavioral health and well-being of young children in our local communities.
About b.e.s.t.
b.e.s.t. universal screening provides a systematic method of quantifying behavioral observations in order to translate the principles of mental health wellness into practice. The screening has been used in school districts in Wisconsin and other states across the country, with 132,690 student screenings completed to date.
In addition to sponsoring the b.e.s.t. online screening, Security Health Plan will cover the cost of consultation and project implementation to help schools interpret screening results and integrate interventions into their teaching practice.
The Behavioral, Emotional and Social Traits (b.e.s.t.) universal screening:
- Provides interventions for children with elevated risk status
- Develops focused interventions for children with targeted needs
- Identifies and reinforces positive behavioral development for typically developing children while helping teachers to implement universal, positive behavioral health practices
- Provides context for organizing information for more efficient and effective problem solving discussions
Grant details
- Only one application will be awarded per school district. However, each district application may include all district schools that are interested in participating.
- The project will occur during the 2019-2020 school year.
- The project will prioritize Pre-K through sixth grade screenings.
- Participating districts will identify a communication lead to facilitate communication between district staff and Mindfield, LLC.
- Selected school districts will use b.e.s.t. universal screening and attend support sessions scheduled at a given school during staff available hours.
- Participating districts will make every attempt to send grant communication leads to summer training, provided at no cost.
- The classroom teacher will complete the 26-item online universal screening for all students in a class, typically in October and again in April, with some timeframe flexibility. Individual screenings take approximately 3-5 minutes per student.
- Teachers will receive immediate reports for individual students after online screening completion; classroom reports are available once screening is complete for every student in a given classroom.
- Teachers will receive immediate recommendations and interventions for students considered at-risk or in need of additional support.
Eligibility
- Application due – Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, 5 p.m.
- School districts must be located within Security Health Plan's service area defined here.
- Estimated project start date – October 2019. Project start time will be customized in cooperation with each school district
Note: Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year:
- Application due dates will be in the spring to prepare for the summer training session.
- Summer training session will be required for grant recipients.
Participating school districts will be provided with the following, at no cost:
- On-site project overview
- Professional development, follow-up and support for use of student reports and intervention recommendations.
- Staff training on universal interventions based on b.e.s.t. data
Learn more about b.e.s.t. universal screening and test out the software here.
Any school district within Security Health Plan’s service area is welcome to apply. However, the grant will only be awarded to 50 school districts, so we will be selective in choosing applicants.
Frequently asked questions
What information will teachers enter into the online b.e.s.t. universal screening?
Teachers answer 26 questions about each student, using a six-point scale to measure a child’s behavior. The screening process is completed independently by teachers after they have had the opportunity to work with the students in their classrooms (after at least 6-8 weeks of working with a student).
Is the online screening encrypted to keep student information confidential?
Yes, b.e.s.t. has an extensive security and privacy policy that protects access to personal information with security measures that safeguard unauthorized disclosure.
What do we have to download and install to use b.e.s.t.?
There is nothing to install. The system is entirely browser-based. We encourage the use of Google Chrome or Firefox when possible.
Will our school district be required to share screening results with Security Health Plan?
No, schools will not share screening results with Security Health Plan.
How much training time is required to understand screening results and interventions?
Currently, school staff attend 1-2 (approximately one-hour) sessions. Districts will be offered up to 16 hours (first year users) of consultation and 24 hours of training on b.e.s.t. universal interventions. Beginning with 2020-2021 school year, grant communication lead staff will be required to attend a two-day summer training sponsored by Security Health Plan. Optional support can be considered for larger schools. Districts currently utilizing b.e.s.t. screening have conducted trainings on scheduled in-service days, before or after school, or during scheduled Professional Learning Community (PLC) time.
How are educators using the data obtained through b.e.s.t. screenings?
Educators are using b.e.s.t. screening data to:
•Standardize screening
•Develop Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) groups and plans for students needing extra support
•Refer high-priority students to pupil services or other experts
•Carry out school-wide initiatives that target behavioral health needs of the wider student body
•Crosscheck b.e.s.t. data with School Wide Information System (SWIS) data or other behavioral data-storing systems
•Supplement Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact:Lisa Borchardt MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM
Community Health Coordinator, Health Services
Security Health Plan
borchardt.lisa@securityhealth.org
715-221-9106