Schools are being held to performance standards and must produce academically successful students. In order for students to learn, they must be able to sit in a classroom and stay attentive. Several known behavioral disorders inhibit classroom productivity, and the private battles children bring to school can also restrict learning.

The Need for Interventions
The Healthy People 2000 report found that psychological, emotional and learning disorders are rising among children, as are reported cases of abuse and neglect. For example, in one local county, the number of reported cases of child abuse, neglect, and dependency increased 258% between 1987 and 1997. The issues of adolescent violence and suicide have risen as top priorities among educators over the last few years. In a 1997 survey, over 17% of Ohio and 26% of Kentucky high school students reported that they carried a weapon in the last month, and approximately 23% of Ohio and 22% of Kentucky youth had seriously considered suicide that year.

The mental and behavioral health services available in some areas do not always meet the needs of the individual students. In more rural counties, mental and behavioral health services are simply not available to schools. The school environment offers a safe, familiar place for students to receive the mental and behavioral health services they need and might not otherwise receive.

Early Intervention
Early intervention activities for at-risk elementary school-age children have been shown to have a significant effect on mental and behavioral problems. Once a child reaches high school age, however, these activities seem to be less effective. By targeting elementary school children at high-risk for behavioral problems, early intervention activities can help children learn to control their behaviors in the present and create habits that extend through adolescence.

Developing Mental and Behavioral Health Services in Schools
The Foundation will support the development and extension of mental and behavioral health services into schools by helping mental health boards:

• Understand the mental and behavioral health needs of children and the services available to them
• Develop programs in schools with providers that provide an integrated-care approach that treats the whole student
• Improve capacity and service coordination between schools and community providers
• Evaluate the effectiveness of in-school mental and behavioral health services
• Disseminate progress and results to help generate and retain community support