Behavioral, Mental Health, and Social Emotional Learning » Behavioral and Mental Health

Behavioral and Mental Health

  • Student Support Services believes that student success arises not only from honing academic skills, but from the interplay of social, emotional, behavioral, and intellectual assets present in all students. Nurturing these assets helps students reach their Ikigai, or their ability to pursue a meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful life. 
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  • The landscape of well being and belonging in schools is supported by a number of elements that inform our multi-tiered systems of support: Universal screening and assessment systems, team-driven shared leadership, a layered continuum of support, data-based problem-solving & decision-making, and strong family, school and community partnerships. In support of students’ mental and behavioral health, Durango 9R has a network of mental health providers in our schools who help students grow and thrive along their educational journey while effectively addressing concerns as they arise. 
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  • Specialized staff serving in our schools help students feel safe, supported, and understood. Those staff include School Counselors, School Psychologists, School Social Workers, Registered Behavioral Technicians, Board Certified Behavioral Analysts, school-based health providers and specialized program staff. These professionals help ensure universal supports are provided to all students, that targeted supports are provided to students needing extra care and attention, and that individualized or specialized supports are provided to students requiring the highest levels of intervention. 
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  • Mental Health services in schools vary due to the size of the school and staffing unique to each building. However, we are fortunate that every elementary school has a full-time School Counselor; our two Middle Schools each have two full-time School Counselors; and Big Picture and Durango High School have one full-time School Counselor and two Social/Emotional Counselors, respectively. There are also a number of providers who rotate through schools during the week including School Social Workers and School Psychologists. All Durango 9-R schools have access to the District Behavioral Health Team, and each school has a team composed of teachers, administrators, full-time and itinerant mental health providers and behavior specialists who work collaboratively to identify, respond to and support students dealing with a variety of challenges. 
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  • Finally, Durango School District 9-R benefits from numerous partnerships with local providers and organizations that provide important services and programs for students and families. These ongoing partnerships provide opportunities for collaboration and consultation, staff training and professional development, direct student services, community resource navigation, positive prosocial outlets for youth, referral pathways for community-based medical and mental-health related interventions, and more. This network of skilled, compassionate youth and family-serving professionals is indispensable in our effort to connect families to resources when physical, mental, and emotional challenges arise.