Project PrepareProject Prepare

Four County Mental HealthFour County Mental HealthTri-County Special EducationTri-County Special Education

““Program within a Program within a program”program”

Following the model of its “host”, SEK Academy, Following the model of its “host”, SEK Academy, Project Prepare functions as a mental health program Project Prepare functions as a mental health program with an educational componentwith an educational component

Provide short-term diversion and assessment services Provide short-term diversion and assessment services to at-risk school-aged individuals seeking to enter local to at-risk school-aged individuals seeking to enter local school districtsschool districts

Provide an additional program option for students with Provide an additional program option for students with severe behavior/discipline issues who already attend severe behavior/discipline issues who already attend school within the member district areaschool within the member district area

Up toUp to 45 program days of diversion and assessment 45 program days of diversion and assessment

3 Primary Goals3 Primary Goals Gather information or allow information to Gather information or allow information to

catch upcatch up with the student with the student Fill in knowledge gapsFill in knowledge gaps Observe student’s behavior and Observe student’s behavior and

academic performance in an environment academic performance in an environment somewhat similar to a public school somewhat similar to a public school settingsetting

Special ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations Project Prepare is not an educational Project Prepare is not an educational

placement; children must maintain placement; children must maintain enrollment in a public school within the enrollment in a public school within the catchment area of either the mental heath catchment area of either the mental heath center or the special education cooperative. center or the special education cooperative.

If a child is absent for more than 10 days in If a child is absent for more than 10 days in a row, the 45 day “time clock” will start over a row, the 45 day “time clock” will start over and a new referral will be required.and a new referral will be required.

Targeted PopulationTargeted Population At least 10 years of ageAt least 10 years of age Enrolled in public school within the Enrolled in public school within the

catchment areas of Four County Mental catchment areas of Four County Mental Health or Tri-County Special Education Health or Tri-County Special Education InterlocalInterlocal

StaffStaff Current SEK staffCurrent SEK staff 1:4 staff to patient ratio1:4 staff to patient ratio Staff includes director, therapist, case Staff includes director, therapist, case

managers, attendant care workers, managers, attendant care workers, psychologist, teachers, and psychologist, teachers, and paraprofessionalsparaprofessionals

CurriculumCurriculum Mental Health - emphasis on social skills, time Mental Health - emphasis on social skills, time

on task, problem solving, ability to form on task, problem solving, ability to form relationships, and stress managementrelationships, and stress management

Academics – Study Island & direct instructionAcademics – Study Island & direct instruction Individual and group therapy sessionsIndividual and group therapy sessions Special group sessions may be provided by Special group sessions may be provided by

social service, law enforcement, or drug and social service, law enforcement, or drug and alcohol service providersalcohol service providers

Program ScheduleProgram Schedule Monday-Friday 8:10-3:20Monday-Friday 8:10-3:20 Program schedules corresponds closely Program schedules corresponds closely

to USD #446 school calendarto USD #446 school calendar

Referral PrerequisitesReferral Prerequisites Child must be a mental health center patientChild must be a mental health center patient Parent or guardian must agree to placementParent or guardian must agree to placement Child must be at least 10 years old and Child must be at least 10 years old and

maintain school enrollmentmaintain school enrollment Parent or guardian must be willing to sign Parent or guardian must be willing to sign

consents allowing the shared information consents allowing the shared information between past and present service providersbetween past and present service providers

The child’s family and school may be asked to The child’s family and school may be asked to participate in solving transportation problemsparticipate in solving transportation problems

Referral ProcessReferral Process