Addressing Chronic Conditions in Elementary and Secondary Schools (ACCESS)
Complete Project
Title:
Addressing Chronic Conditions in Elementary and Secondary Schools (ACCESS)
Status:
Completed
Topic:
Community;Health Promotion & Wellness;Program or Product Development;School-based
Funding Source:
Valley Community Foundation
Funding Period:
2018-2020
Study Design:
Cross-sectional survey
Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to improve ways to identify and manage K-12 students with chronic health conditions (CHCs) in public schools in Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton, CT. CHCs such as obesity, asthma, seizure disorders, hearing problems, and behavioral and learning problems are prevalent among school-aged children. The ultimate goal was to improve health and academic outcomes for students by increasing access to services. This was done by identifying the greatest needs and addressing them with evidence-based intervention strategies.
Further Study Details:
During Year 1, we established a working group of school nurses, teachers, and administrators from the Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton school districts; staff from the Naugatuck Valley Health District; and staff from Griffin Health Services. We conducted needs assessment surveys with school nurses and school mental health professionals (psychologists, counselors and social workers) regarding current practices, needs, and resources related to managing CHCs among students. Based on the survey results, the working group identified behavioral/mental health, specifically screening, as a top priority.During Year 2, we focused on mental/behavioral health screening for incoming students and on creating a family resource guide.Mental/behavioral health screening: The ACCESS working group selected a 17-item version of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) as the best screening instrument. The Ansonia Public Schools volunteered to pilot test the PSC-17 and develop a protocol to integrate behavioral health screening for new students. The PRC worked with the district to implement the screening with students entering the 2020-2021 academic year. School staff faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but nonetheless were able to develop and implement the protocol. The district is committed to expanded use of the PSC-17 to place students evenly across all grade levels by taking into consideration their behavioral strengths and weaknesses, as well as their current level of social and emotional learning.Family resource guide: In response to a reported need for a centralized information source on available services for families, the working group created a resource guide written in both English and Spanish. The format enabled each school district to add its logo to personalize the guide. In Ansonia, the resource guide is now distributed to all families at the start of the school year, and is posted on the school district’s website. Copies of the guide are used by all staff, primarily by the school psychologists, social workers and guidance counselors who work most closely with students and families. The guide has proven to be a much needed resource, even more so due to challenges faced by families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility:
N/A
Evaluation:
A process evaluation was conducted to assess fidelity to the project goals and timeline. A needs assessment survey was developed and administered to school health professionals in Year 1 to assess the perceived prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed student CHCs, current practices related to managing CHCs, and perceived adequacy of existing resources and practices identifying and managing CHCs in school children. One survey was administered to school mental health professionals (psychologists, counselors and social workers). The other survey was administered to school nurses. In year 2, the use of the PSC-17 in the Ansonia School District was tracked and will continue to be followed over time.
Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center