School Success Initiative

What is SSI?

The School Success Initiative (SSI) is a program in Wayne County partnering Community Mental Health (CMH) agencies with local school districts to provide services to the students, parents, teachers, and the community at large. SSI is an evidence and prevention based mental health program designed for students in Kindergarten through the 12th grade.

By having a SSI program available in the school, it increases families’ access to mental health services, psychoeducational information and training for staff and parents, while working to reduce stigma surrounding behavioral health.

What do services consist of?

SSI comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The program focuses on the facilitation of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) groups and parent education. Services are provided by Masters level clinicians.

How are students identified?

Students are screened through the use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). This is a brief, 25 question screening completed by a parent, a teacher, or the student (if 11 years or older with parental permission) that assess for signs of anxiety and depression. Based on the scores, students are divided into one of three tiers.

Tier 1

Tier 1 are prevention services such as classroom presentations and observations, psychoeducational events, information sessions, and community outreach events.

Tier 2

Tier 2 are the SEL groups based off of the Michigan Model for Health.

Tier 3

Tier 3 students are eligible for a higher level of care and will receive information for obtaining mental health services outside of the school setting. Tier 3 students are also eligible to participate in the SEL groups.

What does SSI look like at The Guidance Center?

The Guidance Center (TGC) is always looking to establish new relationships within the Downriver community and Wayne County as a whole. SSI’s SEL groups are established in several districts and are continuing to expand.
SSI partners with programs in the agency and community to participate in events including:
• Film series to raise awareness and foster conversations about issues facing today’s youth including anxiety, social media challenges, substance use, and diversity.
• Community outings: assist with programming aimed at families including Art in the Park, Family Fun Day at the Detroit Wildlife Refuge, and more.
• Attending open houses, back-to-school events, and health fairs for school districts in the Downriver community to provide mental health resources.
 
For more information contact ssisupervisor@guidance-center.org or 313-388-4630.