Across the country, many states, schools, and communities are working in tandem to create environments in which the needs of all learners are addressed and where families and interest holders collaborate to offer services to support student well-being.

This Spotlight offers examples of schools, districts, and counties that are taking a whole-person approach to improving outcomes for all learners.

The Power of Authentic Collaborative Leadership: The Transformation of Bassett Community School

WebinarsIn this webinar, hosted by the California Center for School Climate, educators explore how authentic, collaborative leadership can build trust and relationships to transform schools. The session discusses how educators, local community members, families, and students can work together to improve conditions for student learning and promote healthy development.

Bassett High School has implemented a unique model of community schools under the leadership of the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). It has incorporated key elements of the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) framework to create an environment where education partners are given a voice and empowered.

From the webinar:
Our vision, very, very simply, we aim to prepare college and career students to become those lifelong learners, those responsible citizens and globally competitive individuals so that they have the tools to compete out in the world when they get out of Bassett High School. Our mission is to provide a diverse, high-quality education in a safe environment for all of our students.

Watch the Power of Authentic Collaborative Leadership: The Transformation of Bassett Community School.

Audiocast: A Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Approach to Behavioral Health

Beyond SELSchools can partner with community-based organizations to promote sustainable and equitable well-being for families. In this Beyond SEL audiocast, educators discuss how the Seaford Public School District has implemented a systemic approach to address behavioral health. By engaging families and the community, school staff can identify the root causes of behavioral issues and provide better support to students.

From the audiocast:
Right away I could see that decisions regarding student behavioral health were really made by individuals, they weren’t made by teams. And I always find that [that’s] a very subjective way of [making these decisions]. We’ve got to have a team approach that not only will help us get to the root cause but also [provide] a connection to the experts.

Listen to A Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Approach to Behavioral Health.

Audiocast: Improving Student Wellness With a Multi-Tiered System of Support

Audiocast The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) has developed a model for formalizing school-based health services that has been implemented throughout the 32 local education agencies (LEAs), public charter schools, and early care and education programs that the SCCOE supports countywide.

The SCCOE wellness center model is based on a multi-tiered system of support, which aims to address the root causes of mental, physical, and social health issues within the community. It offers a wide range of preventative, group, and individual services.

From the audiocast:
We have a countywide advisory, but we also have school site-based advisory groups at our schools that do have wellness centers that are impacting, and advocating, and designing the day-to-day operations with their local context. Because our county is so big and diverse that each school site is different. The needs of each school site [are] different.

Listen to Improving Student Wellness With a Multi-Tiered System of Support.

Subscribe to the E-Bulletin

Stay informed about WestEd’s research, resources, services, events, and career opportunities by subscribing to our E-Bulletin. Our October 2023, Volume 2, issue explores strategies for supporting a whole-child approach to improve student outcomes. The issue features resources about the following:

  • Serving the Whole Person: Guidance for State and Local Education Agencies
  • The Equity-Driven Transformation of Bassett Community School
  • A Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Approach to Behavioral Health
  • Safe Spaces for Emotional Support
  • Roadmap for California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Ecosystem
  • Promising Early Results for New Mexico Community Schools
  • Interagency Coordination to Address Student Mental and Behavioral Health
  • Leveraging Community Agendas to Advance Racial Equity

View the October 2023, Volume 2 E-Bulletin.

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