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 May 26, 2022
Issue: 9
Welcome to the KyMTSS Newsletter, a resource where Kentucky stakeholders can find information, tips and resources about the systems, data and practices of an integrated multi-tiered system of supports.
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Integrating Social-Emotional Behavioral Initiatives into a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
The impact of the pandemic has led to a heightened sense of urgency for educators to better and more equitably support the needs of the whole child. Yet, districts and schools are often faced with the challenge of implementing multiple initiatives, programs and practices with increasingly more demands on their time, funds and staffing.
The complexity of implementing several initiatives at once or adopting new ones in the context of existing practices requires an implementation system that is organized in a manner that is strategic, efficient, relevant and effective. KyMTSS is a framework that can be used to create systems-level coherence through an intentional coordination of supports, strategies and initiatives so that academic and social-emotional behavioral efforts are not happening in isolation.
KyMTSS promotes the intentional alignment of all social, emotional and behavioral related initiatives (e.g., comprehensive school mental health, social-emotional instruction, trauma-informed practices, bully prevention, etc.) under one comprehensive system of supports. While there is no “one-size fits all” approach, there are some critical steps that districts and schools can take to integrate these initiatives within their existing multi-tiered prevention framework.
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Establish an integrated MTSS leadership team that is representative of all key stakeholders and aligned to initiatives prioritized by the school/district. Ensure membership includes school mental health professionals (e.g., school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker); community mental health professionals; members with expertise relevant to the initiatives targeted for implementation; and family/student representation.
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Ensure universal screening for internalizing and externalizing behaviors is included in the comprehensive screening and assessment system. Routinely screening all students provides an opportunity to assess the overall social-emotional and behavioral health of the school; identify students at-risk and in need of additional supports; and identify potential schoolwide issues that may need to be addressed at Tier 1.
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Use a systematic process to continuously review and analyze data to make decisions about how to improve social-emotional and behavioral well-being. Teams move beyond a routine analysis of academic data to use a variety of data sources, such as needs assessments, early warning indicators, school climate data, family and student surveys, as well as relevant community data, to determine the prevention and intervention approaches to meet the needs of all students.
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Select instructional resources, intervention and supports that are shown by evidence to be effective in improving social-emotional and behavioral outcomes. MTSS teams develop and use a systematic process to review and select evidence-based practices that match the needs identified by data that fit their local context. They monitor effectiveness on student outcomes and fidelity of implementation.
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Ensure high-quality professional learning and coaching to support schoolwide prevention efforts, as well as the fidelity of implementation of selected interventions and supports. MTSS leadership teams allocate the resources for on-going learning and coaching to build the school’s capacity to integrate social-emotional and behavioral supports within the multi-tiered system of supports.
Resources to Support Implementation
Guidance documents and resources to support teams in the selection of universal screening tools and data analysis may be found in the Resources for Data-Based Decision-Making section of the KyMTSS Resource Library.
The Resources for Evidence-Based Instruction, Intervention and Supports section of the KyMTSS Resource Library includes guidance documents, resources and tools to support districts and schools with the selection of evidence-based practices at each tier. Five new resources to support integration of trauma-informed practice within MTSS were recently added.
External Resources
The Trauma Sensitive Schools Training Package, developed by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), includes a variety of resources for educating school staff about trauma and trauma-sensitive practices and for providing school leaders with a step-by-step process for implementing a universal, trauma-informed approach school- or districtwide.
Classroom WISE is a free 3-part training package that includes a self-paced online course, video library featuring practicing teachers and students, comprehensive resource collection and website for K-12 educators on mental health literacy. It was developed by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health.
KyMTSS Newsletter Archive
Did you miss the last KyMTSS Newsletter? You can access all previous editions of the newsletter on the KyMTSS Newsletter Archive webpage.
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Quick Links
KyMTSS.org
KyMTSS Implementation Guide
Professional Learning Opportunities
Registration Open for Trauma-Informed Practices for Educators and School Personnel Learning Collaboratives
In partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, the University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children is offering Trauma-Informed Practices for Educators and School Personnel Learning Collaboratives. There will be three learning collaboratives held during the 2022-2023 school year, two in person and one virtual option. There is no charge for participation.
Kentucky Council for Children with Behavior Disorders (KYCCBD) Behavior Institute 2022
The KYCCBD Behavior Institute 2022 will be June 16-17 at the Galt House in Louisville. Registration is open now! Visit the KYCCBD website for information about national speakers, session topics and registration.
Share Your Success!
Would you like to share a MTSS experience, success or challenge you have overcome?
In upcoming issues, we would like to feature the work that is happening across the state. MTSS coordinators or school and district staff may submit their story using the KyMTSS Spotlight Google Form.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about KyMTSS implementation or need support, please contact mtss@education.ky.gov.
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