Supporting Rural School Mental Health and Social Work Intern Development Through University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS): Preliminary Pilot Findings

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 5:10 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Building Bridges: Collaborative Approaches to Community Needs in Education and Mental Health (Table 6)

Abstract

This two-phase explanatory sequential mixed methods case study addressed the critical need for mental healthcare services in rural schools in New York State. Barriers to school-based mental health services were discussed, and a model (Mental Health Program – MHP) for integrating social work (SW) support into rural schools using a university-assisted community school (UACS) approach was described. In Phase 1, participating SW interns' perceived learning support, knowledge, and skills growth were assessed using an Annual Program Evaluation survey. Phase II explored SW intern supervisors' insights on these outcomes. Preliminary findings from this pilot study showed significant growth in SW interns’ knowledge and skills confidence due to MHP participation. Supervisors offered specific aspects of MHP that helped explain the findings.

Authors

• Naorah Rimkunas, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Kathleen Provinzano, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Toni A. May, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Casey E Hanna, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Eleanor Churchland, MetriKs

• Kristin L.K. Koskey, Drexel University

• Kelley Cook, Binghamton University - SUNY