Episode 8: Open Doors and Open Minds - Family Engagement in School Mental Health

Our guests for this episode are Jamie Ganske, Director of Mental Health and Resilience for Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, and Heather Birk, Lived Experience Representative with the Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health in Wisconsin.  Jamie shares how her district works to engage families in school-based mental health with an emphasis on promoting mental wellness and sharing resources.  Heather brings the parent advocate perspective, discussing barriers to family engagement and suggestions to overcome them by building authentic relationships. School Mental Health Works when schools and families come together to open doors and minds! Episode Transcript  [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C3ADeNmi2kHpiaSAF_f9rXuDBRgbZyfR/view?usp=drive_link] Show Notes Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health in Wisconsin [https://www.schoolmentalhealthwisconsin.org/] Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction - Comprehensive School Mental Health  [https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/framework] Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework [https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/CSMH_Overview_Flyer.pdf] Cardinal Care - Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District  [http://www.cardinalcare.info/] National Center for School Mental Health Advocacy Tipsheet for Families [https://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/media/som/microsites/ncsmh/documents/bainum/FREDLA_Tip-Sheet-for-Families_Final.pdf] Addressing Implicit Bias: A Barrier to Family Engagement  [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gaskrrx6k91z0tmy5hm5r/Implicit-Bias-Final-March-2021.pdf?rlkey=c4ukbt9ajg1z08pix1koychpc&dl=0]

Om Podcasten

“School Mental Health Works!” is a quick-dip podcast featuring dialogues on school mental health in Wisconsin. Produced by the Coalition for Expanding School Based Mental Health in Wisconsin, the series highlights the successes and challenges experienced by a range of partners as communities collaborate and show that school mental health works! Episodes feature Coalition board representatives and invited guests – each bringing a unique perspective and experience within Wisconsin’s systems for supporting school mental health. Through thoughtful discussions between mental health providers, school professionals and parents representing lived experience, the series explores each of the six components of Wisconsin’s comprehensive school mental health model including: 1) a continuum of mental health supports; 2) collaboration; 3) needs assessment and resource mapping; 4) mental health referral pathways; 5) sustainability; and 6) data.