Addresses the current and future roles of school psychologists in mental health programming as evidence shows they are spending time conducting such programming. Describes programs where school psychologists assume key roles in mental health program development, implementation, and evaluation. Gives several suggestions for ways school…

Highlights how schools currently address mental health; discusses new directions that build on emerging reform themes and reframe prevailing reform models; and outlines ways pupil-service professionals can develop a proactive agenda for shaping the future of mental health in schools. (Author/MKA)

Describes conceptual framework for mini-series on mental health programming. Model includes five components considered to be critical for comprehensive and effective programming. Components include: action research, ecological perspective of program development, collaborative/participatory approach, prevention to treatment via mental health…

The report analyzes roles of mental health professionals in implementing Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986, which established the Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP). A December, 1987, conference of administrators, clinicians, policymakers, and parent representatives from federal, state, and…

The community mental health movement started with the purpose of providing services dealing with problems and issues specific to individual communities. As the movement grew, it took on the responsibility of delivering services to the "underserved" populations of this country, including children, the elderly, minority groups, and rural-area…

The National Health Planning and Resources Deveplopment Act of 1974 (PL 93-641) grants review authority to Health Systems Agencies (HSAs) which seek to improve the quality of health care and insure the rational expenditure of financial resources. Their review process necessitates the development of adequate mental health standards and criteria and…

Paraprofessional program development in school psychology is discussed with a focus on student paraprofessional models. Presented is a rationale for the paraprofessional helper concept, an overview of key issues in using paraprofessionals and descriptions of situations for using student paraprofessionals in school psychology service delivery…

Psychologists' roles are changing and expanding in many ways. In the next decade, psychologists will probably continue their involvement away from the clinic and into the community. Deinstitutionalization should create many new opportunities for psychologists, particularly in the areas of community support system coordination and service…

Various concepts of culture related to ethnicity, language use, values, material goods, and rituals have influenced development of culturally competent mental health programs. Describes how understanding of culture's complexity influences assessment of Hispanic clients at three inpatient bilingual/bicultural psychiatric programs in New York City.…

Articles in this special issue use survey data to provide policymakers with validated indirect needs assessment models that will help them obtain information about populations requiring different levels and types of mental health services. The articles provide the basis for predictive needs assessment and explanatory models of resource allocation.…

The delivery of services in a health maintenance organization (HMO) provides many opportunities for innovation. There is a growing awareness that many outpatient medical visits are related to psychological or social needs. Because of the economic incentive for HMO's to reduce inappropriate utilization, psychologists and psychotherapists will play…

Reviews the current state of mental health services to children, youth, and families. The development of a continuum of care coordinated across the mental and non-mental health systems that naturally occur in all children's lives may vastly improve mental health services to children, youth, and families. (Author/BJV)

This monograph explores the development of comprehensive systems of care for severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. It is intended as a technical assistance tool for states and communities interested in improving services and as a review of the state of the art for developing systems of care. A generic model of a system of care…

This article explores how the school-based wraparound approach and a school-wide systems approach to positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) work together to create more effective school environments and improved outcomes for students with or at risk of behavioral challenges. Complementary aspects of these wraparound and PBIS…

This article examines federal, state, and local initiatives that have influenced child welfare policy and practice on a national scale, with particular emphasis on those policies that offer opportunities for better coordination of services between mental health and child welfare agencies. The special circumstances of child welfare clients are…