Schools Coordinate Efforts to Bolster Mental Health Resources

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Nearly 80% of chronic mental health conditions emerge in childhood. While mental health concerns are frequently seen in public schools, the pandemic’s combination of isolation plus other mental health issues, has exacerbated the need for added supports.

“Youth do not typically seek out mental health supports,” said Michael Capuana, Ed. D., district superintendent of Erie 1 BOCES. “At the same time, educators and parents have been asked to do more than ever before to support mental health needs and the demands have been significant.”

It was evident to Capuana and fellow school leaders that they needed to take action.

Through Erie 1 BOCES, public school districts in Erie County are taking steps to strengthen their position when it comes to the mental health of children and families. The Supporting Mental Health by Advocating for Resources Together (SMART) Collaborative is a professional learning community that is bringing together P-12 educators in school districts, community agencies, and representatives from county government to collaborate on available mental health and social emotional learning tools within the community.

In addition to open communication with Erie County surrounding the resources available to schools, the SMART Collaborative will share best practices across districts and work together on integrated solutions.

“From professional learning opportunities for adults and building capacity and access for educators, we are intentionally strengthening our frontlines to provide more support for the children,” Capuana added while also acknowledging Erie County’s integral role.

SMART Collaborative is comprised of representatives from Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2 BOCES, public school districts in Erie County, Erie County Department of Mental Health, social-emotional health experts and community-based organizations that support mental health and students in crisis.

The group will convene roughly every eight weeks for the remainder of the school year. A kick-off meeting, with more than 100 attendees expected, is slated for Wednesday, November 2 at 10 a.m. within Erie 1 BOCES’ Education Campus in West Seneca.

About Erie 1 BOCES Statewide, school districts partner with Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to provide accountability, municipal sharing, efficiency and educational equity. Erie 1 BOCES, one of 37 BOCES in New York State, is a cooperative of 19 school districts surrounding the city of Buffalo. To assist school districts, the organization provides a variety of educational services including, but not limited to, alternative education, career and technical education, special education and office functions such as technology support. Learn more at www.e1b.org.