Florida Senate Bill (SB) 7026, cited as Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, created the mental health assistance allocation to provide funding to assist school districts in establishing school-based mental health services.  SB 7030 (2019) enhanced the school safety and security requirements established in Senate Bill (SB) 7026 (2018) by addressing the legislative recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSDHS) Public Safety Commission.  To support the mental health needs of our students and to meet these requirements, Bay District Schools (BDS) established the Bay District Schools Student Wellness Programs.

Bay District Schools Student Wellness Teams are dedicated to providing educationally relevant support to ensure positive learning outcomes.  We do this through-

• The use of norm-referenced universal screeners to identify students who may be at risk for poor learning outcomes due to social, academic, or behavioral factors.  Specifically, K-5 teachers complete a screener based on simple observation of students in their classroom.  In grades 6 and 9 (two transitional grades where we see high disciplinary issues, students complete the screener.)   If, using either screener, a student is identified as at risk of poor learning outcomes, support starts with a simple check-in from a school counselor.   

• The  Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS).  MTSS is a term used to describe an evidence-based model of instruction that uses data-based problem solving to integrate academic and behavioral interventions.  There are three tiers to support that are fully explained HERE.  When MTSS support goes beyond what is provided for all students, then parent/guardians communication is key.  Parents/guardians are involved in collaborative efforts to improve the academic success of their child and will be provided information relating to the strategies implemented to support their student.

• The completion of required instructional topics that are in accordance with HB 519, 1003.42 F. S., HB 7, 1011.62 F. S., and Rule: 6A-1.094124.  

• “Life Skills that build confidence, support mental and emotional health, and enable students to overcome challenges, including self-awareness and self-management, responsible decision making, resiliency, relationship skills, and conflict resolution, and understanding and respecting each other viewpoints and backgrounds.” (Florida DOE memo, July 1, 2022)  

• 5 hours of mental-emotional health education (grades 6-12), child trafficking prevention (k-12), and substance abuse education (k-12) using the following curriculums:  Monique Burr Child Safety Matters (k-5), Freedom 180/Real Essentials Curriculum (grades 6-12), EverFi (grades 6-12),  and Botvin Life Skills (grades 5-8).  

• Upon parental or guardian request and consent, the delivery of evidence-based mental health care assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery services to students with one or more mental health or co-occurring substance abuse diagnoses and to students at high risk of such diagnoses. 

• Upon parental or guardian request and consent,  the use of a Community of Care (CofC) referral process to coordinate services via a partnership with our community-based providers.   BDS is dedicated to supporting our community with a whole child approach to assist with mental health needs.

Finally, Bay District Schools complies with notification responsibilities as outlined in HB1557.  

Please contact your student's school counselor or the Director of Student Wellness Programs at 767-4100  for more information.  If you need immediate assistance please call 911.