A report from the school district’s Student Health and Safety Committee, filed with the school board on January 18, said more families are using mental health services in North Allegheny.
Since the district began partnering with mental health agencies in the 2020-2021 school year, there has been a small but overall increase in the number of students using Glade Run Lutheran Services.
“They have been a great source of information for our students and our families.” was a great group to work with.”
Based in Zelienople, with offices throughout the Pittsburgh area, Glade Run Lutheran Services provides onsite behavioral and mental health services that promote social and emotional growth. According to Dowell, the therapist works with his NA staff, students, and families.
Compared to the current school year of 2020-2021, the number of students using Glade Run increased from 21 to 40 in high school and from 20 to 41 in middle school. In middle school, he increased from 7 to 14 at Marshall, but remained consistently at 15 at Carson and still absent at Ingomer.
Elementary schools that received support over the same period had 0 students in 2020-21, but Bradford Woods has 3 students this year. From zero to ten at Franklin. From 2 to 11 in Hossak. 1 to 6 in Ingomar. 0 to 12 at McKnight and 1 to 2 at Peebles.
Dowell said he believes student anxiety is the biggest increase across the board.
NA has paid for Glade Run’s services through the federal COVID Relief Fund for the past few years, but according to NA Associate Superintendent of Secondary Education, Dr. Joseph Scuillo, when the COVID Relief Fund expires, the school district will bear the cost.
Dr. Melissa Freese, superintendent of the North Allegheny School District, says more families feel safe serving the district because the stigma previously attached to mental health support has diminished. says there is.
Freese says addressing these needs will help students develop the skills to cope when they get older.
The district also uses UPMC’s behavioral health services, which are funded by Allegheny County, to help students with their behavioral and health needs, Sciullo said. This program is open to all students who have been identified as engaging in behavior that endangers their own or the health, safety, and well-being of others.
The school district is working with another new Pittsburgh-based provider, the Human Services Administration Organization, to help with drug and alcohol education, he said.
NA has applied for a $225,000 grant to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to fund staff recognition of mental health and behavioral cues in troubled students. The grant will help provide youth mental health first aid programs, de-escalation crisis prevention interventions, and restraint training.
According to school spokesperson Brandi Smith, the district has seen an increase in students committing multiple violations.
Sciullo said problems usually end after intervention following the first violation, but districts have seen second and third violations, which can lead to suspensions of up to 20 to 30 days in some cases. The middle school is asking the administration for help.
“It’s a new area that many see as a trend in middle school, and it’s still time to do something about it,” says Sciullo.
According to the district’s strategic plan, the City of North Allegheny wants to correct behavior, not just punish misbehavior and rule violations, instead of simply issuing lengthy suspensions.
Techniques include talking to students about their actions and consequences. Teachers get guidelines on how to deal with classroom disruptions and behavioral problems.
Freese said the goal is to reduce suspensions.
“Our goal is to rethink it before it becomes a problem,” she said. increase.”
NA has partnered with the McCandless Police Department, which runs a community service program aimed at keeping disruptive students out of the court system.
Natalie Beneviat is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
