Access to Professional Support Personnel post COVID-19
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) licenses Professional Support Personnel (PSP), and these credentialed professionals are employed by the local and regional public-school districts throughout Massachusetts. This research brief examines the number of PSP staff employed by public schools prior to and after the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
School-Based Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center
98% of school-based professionals surveyed reported that they would use a school-based behavioral health technical assistance (TA) center. Schools want help in supporting the behavioral health needs of students! The BIRCh Center received funding in partnership with MAMH to plan for the implementation of a school-based behavioral health TA center.
Technical Report 2020
Access to critical school-based behavioral health services varies significantly across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This technical report summarizes findings from an ongoing resource mapping project focused on workforce capacity, state-funded grants, and Educational Collaborative membership.
The Status of Mental Health Resources in Massachusetts Based on Professional Ratio Recommendations
Currently, most school districts in Massachusetts are not meeting the recommended school psychologist / school counselor ratios. This creates a situation in which access to mental health resources is inequitably distributed throughout the state and students, by the nature of where they live and the district they go to school in, either have access to these necessary supports in school or do not. It will be important to find ways to increase the numbers of school counselors and school psychologists in districts who need this support the most. Please refer to this research brief developed by Worcester State faculty for more information.
Access to School-Based Behavioral Health Services
These research briefs compare current staffing ratios of licensed Professional Support Personnel in four areas—School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor, and School Nurse—with the recommendations of national professional organizations. These professionals are credentialed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and employed by the local and regional public school districts throughout Massachusetts. Briefs also examine access to staffing based on the level of economic disadvantage of students and offer policy strategies to address gaps in access to services.
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