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HI-AWARE will support three school areas to reorient their three-tiered frameworks towards use of response to intervention for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. HI-AWARE will focus on expanding evidence-based intervention options and strengthening school-family-community partnerships to make it everyone's shared responsibility to identify youth with SEB challenges and refer them to early intervention. All students in the three school areas will be served each year.

Project AWARE Tennessee is a state capacity-building initiative that aims to expand youth access to mental health resources and promote resilience and positive behavioral functioning among school-age youth in Tennessee. The project establishes a cross-system state management team to support the integration of state and local policies and resources, as part of a coordinated plan to expand and enhance the continuum of school-based training, mental health services, and behavioral supports in selected schools and communities. The proposed project supports the local implementation of direct services within the Anderson County, Lawrence County, and Lauderdale County school systems. The project defines three specific goals that include: 1) building state capacity to increase mental health awareness and access in schools and communities through state and local policy and resource integration, 2) promoting competency among child-serving adults to detect and respond to youth mental health concerns, and 3) expanding the continuum of school and community-based behavioral health supports and interventions to more effectively respond to youth mental health needs and to keep youth in school and out of the juvenile justice system. The project will support training of more than 1,300 child-serving adults within the three targeted communities over the five-year term of the cooperative agreement, will reach more than 17,000 district enrolled youth through universal prevention and mental health promotion activities, and will provide targeted and intensive interventions to youth identified with behavioral health needs.

Colorado Project AWARE aims to build the state and local infrastructure and capacity for a comprehensive school behavioral health services system that supports every student in Colorado in reaching their fullest potential in school and life. Colorado is eager to seize the opportunity with the increased public awareness of the dire impact of unaddressed behavioral health needs to coordinate and enhance resources across systems to promote students' mental wellbeing and prevent behavioral health issues. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has identified three local education agencies with unique contexts and populations to partner with in building a locally driven system for the state: Aurora Public Schools (APS), Fountain-Fort Carson School District (FFCSD), and Thompson School District. The AWARE goals include: 1) building state infrastructure and capacity through partnerships, policy, shared data coordinating resources and intensive coaching for data-driven decision making; 2) building LEA infrastructure and capacity through partnerships, policy, shared data systems, coordinating resources and intensive systems coaching for data-driven decision making; 3) utilizing implementation science to deliver research-based programs and strategies to build students' social, emotional and behavioral wellbeing while reducing behavioral health risks; 4) increasing awareness of behavioral health issues, reducing the stigma and increasing behavioral health promotion; and 5) securing sustainable funding mechanisms for comprehensive school behavioral health services.

Florida AWARE will provide coordination of family, school, mental/behavioral health, juvenile justice, and other systems in Florida through a long-term plan developed and implemented by a State Management Team to increase school safety, social-emotional wellness, and improved access to coordinated mental health supports and services. Florida AWARE will collaborate with three Local Education Agencies (Pinellas, Polk and Duval County School Districts) to develop prototypical sites with improved access to school- and community-based mental/behavioral health services within an Interconnected Systems Framework. Objectives of Florida AWARE fall within four overarching goals: Goal 1: Building effective cross-system collaboration at the local and state levels; Goal 2: Increasing equitable access to coordinated mental health services for children, youth, and their families; Goal 3: Expanding and increasing access to mental health supports within an integrated multi-tiered behavioral framework; and, Goal 4: Increasing mental health awareness of youth, families, schools, and communities. The three collaborating Florida AWARE school districts serve more than 300,000 students from very diverse backgrounds. All students will benefit from project prevention and early identification activities with potentially 15,000 students benefitting from more intensive and targeted behavioral and mental health supports that can enhance mental and behavioral health, decrease bullying and violence, and improve academic performance.

Project Cal-Well is a consortium of the California Department of Education (CDE), Garden Grove Unified School District, Santa Rosa City Schools, and the San Diego County Office of Education and their community partners. The combined student population of these three local educational agencies (LEA) is approximately 566,000 students. Together, Project Cal-well partners will develop a collaboration and integration plan to (1) create school communities that promote mental health awareness, well-being, early identification, and intervention of behavioral health issues; (2) increase access to mental health services; (3) support youth violence prevention and school climate strategies by utilizing research-based violence prevention and positive behavioral intervention programs; and (4) saturate the state with YMHFA trainings. These goals will be met by formalizing cross-system collaboration and information sharing relationships. Project Cal-Well will provide statewide Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training to over 1,875 adults and increase student and family access to mental health services by developing a concrete coordination and integration plan. Collaboration with key local, state, and national stakeholders will ensure we have built a comprehensive plan and a multidisciplinary infrastructure that addresses the mental health and school safety needs of children and youth.

Through this proposal, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH), and three local school districts - Kent Intermediate School District, Jackson Intermediate School District, and Oakland Schools - ultimately expect to build and expand capacity at the state and local levels to make schools safer, improve school climate, increase awareness of mental health issues, and connect children and youth who have behavioral health issues with needed services. The overall goals of the four-year project are to: 1) increase access to school and community- based mental, emotional, and behavioral health services for youth through improved coordination of state and local resources and enhanced integration and coordination of behavioral health services; and 2) implement YMHFA state and local training programs in three Michigan communities. The primary populations to be served include children and adolescents (five to age 18), their families, school staff, and community partners in the three pilot communities.

The Nevada Department of Education has developed a comprehensive approach to address the diminished capacity of youth mental health prevention and intervention activities in three of Nevada's frontier counties. Nevada's vision is for all schools to be safe and respectful, and all students to have strong social, emotional and mental health. More importantly for this project, to ensure there is seamless access to mental health support and service when needed or requested. The three local education agencies targeted for this initiative include: Pershing County School District; Lander County School District; and Humboldt County School District. This project aims to: 1) To provide a safe and respectful learning environment for all of our students through increasing mental health literacy of adults who interact with school-aged youth; 2) To promote the behavioral and mental health of students through school-based prevention and early identification efforts increasing the awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; and 3) To build awareness, connection and infrastructure across local and state entities that increase capacity to provide access to mental health support.

Now is the Time (NITT) initiative

The Nevada Department of Education has developed a comprehensive approach to address the diminished capacity of youth mental health prevention and intervention activities in three of Nevada's frontier counties. Nevada's vision is for all schools to be safe and respectful, and all students to have strong social, emotional and mental health. More importantly for this project, to ensure there is seamless access to mental health support and service when needed or requested. The three local education agencies targeted for this initiative include: Pershing County School District; Lander County School District; and Humboldt County School District. This project aims to: 1) To provide a safe and respectful learning environment for all of our students through increasing mental health literacy of adults who interact with school-aged youth; 2) To promote the behavioral and mental health of students through school-based prevention and early identification efforts increasing the awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; and 3) To build awareness, connection and infrastructure across local and state entities that increase capacity to provide access to mental health support.

The Nevada Department of Education has developed a comprehensive approach to address the diminished capacity of youth mental health prevention and intervention activities in three of Nevada's frontier counties. Nevada's vision is for all schools to be safe and respectful, and all students to have strong social, emotional and mental health. More importantly for this project, to ensure there is seamless access to mental health support and service when needed or requested. The three local education agencies targeted for this initiative include: Pershing County School District; Lander County School District; and Humboldt County School District. This project aims to: 1) To provide a safe and respectful learning environment for all of our students through increasing mental health literacy of adults who interact with school-aged youth; 2) To promote the behavioral and mental health of students through school-based prevention and early identification efforts increasing the awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; and 3) To build awareness, connection and infrastructure across local and state entities that increase capacity to provide access to mental health support.

The Nevada Department of Education has developed a comprehensive approach to address the diminished capacity of youth mental health prevention and intervention activities in three of Nevada's frontier counties. Nevada's vision is for all schools to be safe and respectful, and all students to have strong social, emotional and mental health. More importantly for this project, to ensure there is seamless access to mental health support and service when needed or requested. The three local education agencies targeted for this initiative include: Pershing County School District; Lander County School District; and Humboldt County School District. This project aims to: 1) To provide a safe and respectful learning environment for all of our students through increasing mental health literacy of adults who interact with school-aged youth; 2) To promote the behavioral and mental health of students through school-based prevention and early identification efforts increasing the awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; and 3) To build awareness, connection and infrastructure across local and state entities that increase capacity to provide access to mental health support.

Michigan 2014 Project AWARE Proposal

Through this proposal, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH), and three local school districts - Kent Intermediate School District, Jackson Intermediate School District, and Oakland Schools - ultimately expect to build and expand capacity at the state and local levels to make schools safer, improve school climate, increase awareness of mental health issues, and connect children and youth who have behavioral health issues with needed services. The overall goals of the four-year project are to: 1) increase access to school and community- based mental, emotional, and behavioral health services for youth through improved coordination of state and local resources and enhanced integration and coordination of behavioral health services; and 2) implement YMHFA state and local training programs in three Michigan communities. The primary populations to be served include children and adolescents (five to age 18), their families, school staff, and community partners in the three pilot communities.

Through this proposal, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH), and three local school districts - Kent Intermediate School District, Jackson Intermediate School District, and Oakland Schools - ultimately expect to build and expand capacity at the state and local levels to make schools safer, improve school climate, increase awareness of mental health issues, and connect children and youth who have behavioral health issues with needed services. The overall goals of the four-year project are to: 1) increase access to school and community- based mental, emotional, and behavioral health services for youth through improved coordination of state and local resources and enhanced integration and coordination of behavioral health services; and 2) implement YMHFA state and local training programs in three Michigan communities. The primary populations to be served include children and adolescents (five to age 18), their families, school staff, and community partners in the three pilot communities.

Kentucky AWARE

Kentucky AWARE will allow Kentucky schools to create even safer and more respectful environments for learning, promote the behavioral health of school-aged children and youth, and help to ensure that we reach our goals aimed at improving educational results and outcomes for all students. While Kentucky is largely a rural state, the three pilot districts- Jefferson, Fayette and Pulaski are three of Kentucky's largest (1st, 2nd, and 14th, respectively). All three districts have invested in the Kentucky Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (KY-PBIS) initiative, which will provide a base of understanding for children with behavioral needs. The Kentucky AWARE goals are: Goal 1: Expand the capacity of the KDE, and other state and local child, youth, and family serving agencies to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth. Goal 2: Connect children, youth and families, who may have behavioral health issues, with appropriate services. Goal 3: Provide training to school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues in children and young adults. Goal 4: Provide effective governance and organization for interagency collaboration and grant management of the project. In year one of the grant, 450 first-aiders will be trained. During year two this total increases to 2,025. For years three through five the total will be 2,550 annually. Over the five years of this grant 10,125 first-aiders will be trained (450 + 2,025 +2,550 + 2,550 + 2,550 = 10,125).

Kentucky AWARE will allow Kentucky schools to create even safer and more respectful environments for learning, promote the behavioral health of school-aged children and youth, and help to ensure that we reach our goals aimed at improving educational results and outcomes for all students. While Kentucky is largely a rural state, the three pilot districts- Jefferson, Fayette and Pulaski are three of Kentucky's largest (1st, 2nd, and 14th, respectively). All three districts have invested in the Kentucky Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (KY-PBIS) initiative, which will provide a base of understanding for children with behavioral needs. The Kentucky AWARE goals are: Goal 1: Expand the capacity of the KDE, and other state and local child, youth, and family serving agencies to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth. Goal 2: Connect children, youth and families, who may have behavioral health issues, with appropriate services. Goal 3: Provide training to school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues in children and young adults. Goal 4: Provide effective governance and organization for interagency collaboration and grant management of the project. In year one of the grant, 450 first-aiders will be trained. During year two this total increases to 2,025. For years three through five the total will be 2,550 annually. Over the five years of this grant 10,125 first-aiders will be trained (450 + 2,025 +2,550 + 2,550 + 2,550 = 10,125).

Kentucky AWARE will allow Kentucky schools to create even safer and more respectful environments for learning, promote the behavioral health of school-aged children and youth, and help to ensure that we reach our goals aimed at improving educational results and outcomes for all students. While Kentucky is largely a rural state, the three pilot districts- Jefferson, Fayette and Pulaski are three of Kentucky's largest (1st, 2nd, and 14th, respectively). All three districts have invested in the Kentucky Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (KY-PBIS) initiative, which will provide a base of understanding for children with behavioral needs. The Kentucky AWARE goals are: Goal 1: Expand the capacity of the KDE, and other state and local child, youth, and family serving agencies to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth. Goal 2: Connect children, youth and families, who may have behavioral health issues, with appropriate services. Goal 3: Provide training to school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues in children and young adults. Goal 4: Provide effective governance and organization for interagency collaboration and grant management of the project. In year one of the grant, 450 first-aiders will be trained. During year two this total increases to 2,025. For years three through five the total will be 2,550 annually. Over the five years of this grant 10,125 first-aiders will be trained (450 + 2,025 +2,550 + 2,550 + 2,550 = 10,125).

Making Ohio AWARE: Building Statewide Mental Health First Aid Capacity

Through the "Making Ohio AWARE: Building Statewide Mental Health First Aid Capacity" initiative, Ohio will develop a modern, enhanced infrastructure to raise awareness of mental health needs among school-aged youth and increase statewide and local capacity to develop, implement, and sustain the delivery of integrated, comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and behavioral health services for youth and families. The efforts will occur through collaborative partnerships between the Ohio Department of Education, three partnering Local Education Agencies (Cuyahoga County, Warren County, and Wood County Educational Service Centers), State Management Team, the Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs, the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success, and other state departments. The project will promote a comprehensive and coordinated system for promoting wellness, safety and resilience built upon foundations of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Safe Schools, and other support programs. Cross-sector assets and resources will be leveraged to build and support an effective interconnected systems workforce by increasing the number of individuals trained to deliver Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA; 3 SEA trainers and 9 LEA trainers), the number of first responders trained in YMHFA (750 trained yearly and 3,750 trained throughout the project), and youth access to mental health services (for at-risk students identified within the 30 districts). The initiative will use data to inform decision making, emphasizing state-wide capacity building for evidence-based innovations. Across the project objectives, a key aspect in the success will be engaging youth, families, and schools as agents of community change. It is anticipated that achievement of project goals will enhance system capacity and strengthen partnerships by providing documented effective community-based models for other communities wishing to adopt comprehensive, integrated mental health promo

Through the "Making Ohio AWARE: Building Statewide Mental Health First Aid Capacity" initiative, Ohio will develop a modern, enhanced infrastructure to raise awareness of mental health needs among school-aged youth and increase statewide and local capacity to develop, implement, and sustain the delivery of integrated, comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and behavioral health services for youth and families. The efforts will occur through collaborative partnerships between the Ohio Department of Education, three partnering Local Education Agencies (Cuyahoga County, Warren County, and Wood County Educational Service Centers), State Management Team, the Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs, the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success, and other state departments. The project will promote a comprehensive and coordinated system for promoting wellness, safety and resilience built upon foundations of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Safe Schools, and other support programs. Cross-sector assets and resources will be leveraged to build and support an effective interconnected systems workforce by increasing the number of individuals trained to deliver Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA; 3 SEA trainers and 9 LEA trainers), the number of first responders trained in YMHFA (750 trained yearly and 3,750 trained throughout the project), and youth access to mental health services (for at-risk students identified within the 30 districts). The initiative will use data to inform decision making, emphasizing state-wide capacity building for evidence-based innovations. Across the project objectives, a key aspect in the success will be engaging youth, families, and schools as agents of community change. It is anticipated that achievement of project goals will enhance system capacity and strengthen partnerships by providing documented effective community-based models for other communities wishing to adopt comprehensive, integrated mental health promo

Through the "Making Ohio AWARE: Building Statewide Mental Health First Aid Capacity" initiative, Ohio will develop a modern, enhanced infrastructure to raise awareness of mental health needs among school-aged youth and increase statewide and local capacity to develop, implement, and sustain the delivery of integrated, comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and behavioral health services for youth and families. The efforts will occur through collaborative partnerships between the Ohio Department of Education, three partnering Local Education Agencies (Cuyahoga County, Warren County, and Wood County Educational Service Centers), State Management Team, the Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs, the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success, and other state departments. The project will promote a comprehensive and coordinated system for promoting wellness, safety and resilience built upon foundations of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Safe Schools, and other support programs. Cross-sector assets and resources will be leveraged to build and support an effective interconnected systems workforce by increasing the number of individuals trained to deliver Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA; 3 SEA trainers and 9 LEA trainers), the number of first responders trained in YMHFA (750 trained yearly and 3,750 trained throughout the project), and youth access to mental health services (for at-risk students identified within the 30 districts). The initiative will use data to inform decision making, emphasizing state-wide capacity building for evidence-based innovations. Across the project objectives, a key aspect in the success will be engaging youth, families, and schools as agents of community change. It is anticipated that achievement of project goals will enhance system capacity and strengthen partnerships by providing documented effective community-based models for other communities wishing to adopt comprehensive, integrated mental health promo

Illinois (IL) AWARE Project

Illinois (IL) AWARE seeks to ensure that every school will offer a safe and healthy learning environment to all students. IL AWARE will accomplish this by meeting project goals related to: (1) formalizing plans that allow for systems coordination to improve the mental health needs of youth and promote their familial and communal assets; (2) implementing these plans to assure sustainability; and (3) improving mental health literacy and capacity through YMHFA/MHFA training statewide. The project, IL AWARE, will serve children and adolescents who attend public school within the State of Illinois with a special focus on the three high-need LEAs named East Aurora, Decatur, and Harrisburg.

Illinois (IL) AWARE seeks to ensure that every school will offer a safe and healthy learning environment to all students. IL AWARE will accomplish this by meeting project goals related to: (1) formalizing plans that allow for systems coordination to improve the mental health needs of youth and promote their familial and communal assets; (2) implementing these plans to assure sustainability; and (3) improving mental health literacy and capacity through YMHFA/MHFA training statewide. The project, IL AWARE, will serve children and adolescents who attend public school within the State of Illinois with a special focus on the three high-need LEAs named East Aurora, Decatur, and Harrisburg.