Delaware Department of Education and the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (formerly Child Mental Health) have partnered through a Federal Grant to assist teachers, parents, and other professionals in understanding mental health and substance abuse issues and obtaining help for children.
This web site has a set of resources to help school staff and parents identify and refer students in need of mental health and substance abuse services. It provides information to help understand when a referral is appropriate, what some symptoms might be, what can be tried before a referral is made, and how to facilitate the decision and referral process.
How can it be used?
A parent or teacher may have asked a school nurse, family crisis therapist, counselor or other staff or mental health professional for help because the child may not be responding to classroom interventions or a school screening program may have identified a child who may profit from formal mental health or substance abuse treatment. This web site can help you identify where to go for that extra help.
Parents
Teachers
Counselors/Nurses
Teens
Listed below in sequential order are some of the resources that can assist you in decision making
- Warning signs/If you think a child needs help
- Mental Health Services Glossary
- Mental Health Disorders and Videos
- Family Psycho-Educational Manual/Web site
- School Based Services
- How to Access Mental Health and Substance Abuse Providers
- Insurance Information
- Medicaid Information
- Participating in Counseling with Your Child
- Child Mental Health Advocacy
- Stress Reduction
- Transition to Schools
- Grieving
Keep in mind that mental health and substance abuse disorders can only be diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional. Ask a child's physician to evaluate for possible physical causes for concerning symptoms prior to making a mental health referral. This site is intended for informational purposes only.
Contact Information
Please email, fax or call Dennis Rozumalski, Education Associate, Student Services and Special Populations at drozumalski@doe.k12.de.us Phone 302-735-4273 Fax 302-739-6397 if you have questions or feedback about the site.