School Safety vs. School Climate as Outcomes of a School-Based Mental Health Program

• In Event: Strategies to Enhance School Climate and Student Safety: Enhanced Mental Health Services and Bullying Prevention

Abstract

In partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, RTI International’s School-Based Mental Health project funded by NIJ’s Comprehensive School Safety Initiative builds upon existing school-based mental health services by increasing the numbers of students receiving them (Expanded) and adding evidence-based treatments Dialectical Behavior Therapy and SPARCS groups (Enhanced). We will present results testing the effect of Expanded and Enhanced treatment over the course of one school year on school safety, school climate, and student victimization and aggression. In a random survey of 4,026 students (49.8% male, 49.6% female) and 1,116 school staff (20.9% male, 76.7% female) across 34 middle and K-8 schools, we will use latent transition analysis to identify groups of schools with differing levels of school safety and school climate, and how they change over time in response to Expanded and Enhanced treatment conditions. Results suggest that despite many teachers and students reporting a number of violent events occurring in their school, most reported a positive rating of school climate. Implications for these findings include different approaches to targeting school violence and safety, including changes in mental health services and changes in school-level norms.

Authors

• Anna Yaros, RTI International

• Lissette Saavedra, RTI International

• Antonio Morgan-Lopez, RTI International

• James Trudeau, RTI International