In an effort to coordinate services between schools and community agencies, MiamiDade County Public Schools reports that it has established a Department of Mental Health Services. One of the functions of the department is to facilitate services between schools and community agencies and ensure students who are referred for mental health care and treatment are accessing services. To staff the new department, the district is hiring 30 mental health coordinators and social workers to expedite the identification of students in need of mental health services. The Children’s Trust is hiring 40 mental health providers. The district reports that schools will also have a Threat Assessment Team and a Mental Health Team to discuss students who might need mental health services and connect those students to community or school resources. School-site teachers and staff will participate in an 8-hour youth mental health first aid training. The idea is to help equip adults who regularly interact with adolescents, to identify the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges.

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