Over the last few years, society has become more open to discussing mental health challenges, especially for children and teens. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the need is certainly there — 1 in 5 children in our country show symptoms of mental health disorders each year.¹

Leaders of school districts see the challenges firsthand, including decreases in academic performance, increases in student anxiety and difficulty supporting the mental well-being of school staff.

Texas Health’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment identified improving mental and behavioral health as a need and priority in North Texas. In response, Texas Health Community Impact took up the call to action and invested in Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit, for the 2021-2022 grant cycle to launch the North Texas Executive Learning Community (ELC).

“Texas Health Resources, through its Community Impact initiative, uses grants to address community needs in resourceful and innovative ways,” said David Tesmer, chief community and public policy officer. “We understand the need for mental health solutions and are privileged to support the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in this collaborative effort.”

The ELC is a 12-month learning experience that equips school districts in priority ZIP codes to effectively develop and implement evidence-based programs. The approach brings district leaders together for monthly training sessions, focusing on foundations of school mental health and easy-to-implement practices.

The program enables leaders to participate in expert-led workshops, access tools and gain insight from collaboration with counterparts from other districts. Curriculum topics, such as brain science and multi-tiered systems of support, are tailored to the needs of each learning community. Current participating North Texas districts include the Richardson, Dallas, Rockwall and Grand Prairie ISDs.

And because of the Community Impact grant awarded to the Meadows Institute, this training comes at no cost to school districts.

With the success of the North Texas ELC, the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute has expanded the program to Tarrant County, Northeast Texas and the San Antonio area to advance school safety and increase student wellness.

Texas Health and the Meadows Institute were recently recognized by D CEO for Outstanding Mental Health Collaboration and supporting the mental health of local youth.

While applications for the North Texas ELC have closed for this year, you can read more about the program here.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Improving Access to Children’s Mental Health Care