Kevin P. Dwyer, MA, NCSP, instructor

School psychologists and other school mental health professionals have the skills to help schools enhance mental health and foster conditions for learning that are known to increase safety, support, and academic achievement for all students.  Using examples from urban and suburban school districts, including a multi-year plan implemented in Cleveland, participants will learn what works and what doesn't work in developing system approaches to discipline, social-emotional learning, school climate, staff training, and community partnerships.  The presenter will discuss the initial data-based evaluation, the strategic plan, team problem-solving, selection of best practices, training, implementation and ongoing evaluation of practices that impact student outcomes.

Specific learning objectives stated in behavioral terms:

• Understand the importance of establishing a strategic planning team of stakeholders, including methods for school psychologists and others to participate on existing system teams
• Use survey and other data to develop strategic intervention plans based on the Conditions for Learning and the prevention – early and intensive intervention paradigm.
• Find and select best practices that will work in addressing identified needs in participant’s school community
• Develop a plan that connects implementation fidelity data to measured student outcomes
• Explore how a team interacts effectively with school staff to successfully implement those interventions
• Understand the importance of aligning social emotional interventions with academics
• Understand what a true, seamless, school mental health system looks like and how it can be sustained

Upon completion of the program the attendees will be able to:

• Work with others to implement prevention, as well as early and intensive intervention plans in schools that will improve school climate and safety; reduce bullying, and improve student attendance, social emotional skills and academic learning. 

Program Code: SBMH
3 CE Credits
Location: at MSPP, One Wells Avenue, Newton

Kevin Dwyer, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with over 30 years experience as a practitioner, now works as a consultant for the American Institutes for Research. He is a former president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and a recipient of the NASP Lifetime Achievement Award.