Promotion and Prevention are the foundational components of providing mental well-being for our students. Both work complementary of each other in building resiliency and coping skills of children, young people and families; raising community awareness; improving capacity for early identification and making referrals to appropriate services.
Promotion itself is about creating community and school awareness about mental health and also in providing professional development for teachers and staff so that they are better able to realize the early signs of mental illness and then knowing how to best work with a student with mental illness and their families.
Prevention is about addressing physical and mental health through effective efforts that promote healthy environments, norms, and behaviors rather than waiting for the development of full-blown acute or chronic disorders.
RESOURCES
CENTERSTONE
www.centerstone.org
Centerstone, a not-for-profit organization, has provided a wide range of mental health and addiction services to people of all ages for more than 50 years. We serve more than 50,000 children, adolescents, adults and seniors each year. Centerstone is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Violence and Bullying Prevention Program
Ages: Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Students
As a school-based grant-funded prevention program, PEER Power uses a research-based model of violence prevention. Staff train and partner with teachers to teach skills of empathy, impulse control, problem-solving and anger management.
Locations: Serving select schools in Davidson County
Project REAL (Get REAL, Get Tested!)
Ages: 12-17
Project REAL is a grant-funded prevention program for youth ages 12-17 primarily of African American and Hispanic/Latino descent, at risk for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. Comprehensive, culturally sensitive, evidence-based services are designed to prevent and reduce the onset of substance abuse and the transmission of HIV/AIDS. The project combines two evidence-based multi-cultural curricula, Keepin’ It REAL and Be Proud! Be Responsible! Staff members facilitate curricula within local community centers, schools and other venues.
Locations: Davidson County
Contact: For more information about Centerstone, please call 888-291-4357.
METRO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT.
www.health.nashville.org
Question Persuade Prefer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training. This training is intended for teachers and teaches warning signs and how to talk with a student if the adult has concerns based on observation of warning signs. QPR is designed to be taught to non-mental health professionals. Training takes approximately 2 hours.
No fee.
Contact: ANITA WILSON
Phone: (615) 340-2192
E-mail: anita.wilson@nashville.org
METRO NASHVILLE POLICE DEPT.
www.police.nashville.gov/bureaus/chief/victim_intervention.asp
The mission of the Victim Intervention Program of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department is to provide mental health services and criminal justice system advocacy whenever individuals, families and/or the community are affected by violent crime.
No fee.
Contact: AMY TAYLOR
Phone: (615) 862-7887
E-mail: amy.griffith@nashville.gov
NASHVILLE YFC
www.nashvilleyfc.org
After-school clubs (Campus Life) provide an outlet for students to develop socially & emotionally, assistance with tutoring, life skills development and health.
No fee.
Contact: JEFFREY SHICKS
Phone: (239) 560-6913
E-mail: jeff@nashvilleyfc.org
OASIS CENTER
www.oasiscenter.org
Oasis Center provides prevention services in selected MNPS middle and high schools.
Additionally, Oasis prevention staff work with juvenile court to address issues of decreased minority confinement and decreased re-offense. Oasis utilizes the Teen Outreach Program Model, which is evidenced based and recognized by HHS, OJJDP, and pending with SAMHSA. The Program is proven effective to increase attendance, increase academic performance, decrease early sexual activity and unplanned pregnancies, decrease substance use, and decrease perpetration of crime and violence.
Oasis Center also offers counseling services and supports through outpatient services at its Charlotte Ave. location.
Additionally, Oasis is able to provide family and individual crisis intervention and stabilization which includes shelter stay and family systems work for youth at risk of running away (or who have run) or becoming homeless (or who are homeless), or youth at risk of entering the child welfare system, juvenile court involvement, or other risks.
Oasis is funded by both the United Way, and the state and federal government for its work described above. Oasis has always met its output AND outcomes requirements for these funders. Oasis in-school programs have a success rate over the schools’ averages for educational advancement for the youth served (these same youth are identified as the most at-risk meeting eligibility requirements).
No fee.
Contact: JUDY FREUDENTHAL
Phone: (615) 327-4455
E-mail: jfreudenthal@oasiscenter.org
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF EAST & MIDDLE TENNESSEE
www.plannedparenthood.org
Planned Parenthood of Middle & East TN offers periodic training sessions for professionals throughout the year. In addition, we also offer in-service training, one-on-one consultations and workshops on sexuality education skills such as:
- Handling controversial topics
- Up-to-date knowledge on a variety of sexuality topics
- Creative activities to engage participants
- Sensitivity to diversity
- Enhancing comfort in teaching sexuality in a group
Some of our most requested workshops are listed below. If you don’t see a program listed, call us to develop a workshop to meet your specific needs. The following list of professional development trainings are intended for teachers and behavioral staff:
Crazy in Love
Equips professionals with tools to lead dialogue around healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Beyond the Pictures
Addresses updated information and strategies for teaching sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
Teaching Contraception 101
Identifies updated methods and tactics for teaching about contraception.
That’s So Gay
Explores issues surrounding sexual orientation, stereotypes, and the role that language plays in promoting acceptance and understanding.
The Facts of Life
Prepares professionals to teach about adolescent development including topics such as reproductive anatomyand puberty.
Gender Bending
Cultivates knowledge around gender, gender identity, and gender roles within the context of our society.
Tech Savvy
Provides participants with information and skills to examine the influence of new technology and media on sexuality, decision-making, and relationships.
Teaching Dramatically, Learning Thematically
Encourages the use of different art forms as a vehicle for sexuality education. This includes visual arts, skits, poetry, and music.
Fees for educational programs and trainings are based on a sliding fee scale and may be negotiable. Please call the Education and Training Department for pricing information.
Contact: KAYCE MATTHEWS
Phone: (615) 345-0952
E-mail: kaycem@ppmet.org
RECONCILIATION
www. reconciliation84.org
Most experts agree that an unintended consequence of incarceration is the increased risk faced by prisoner’s children of offending and facing incarceration themselves. Most estimate that between 70 and 85% of these children will be incarcerated as adults. Reconciliation has addressed these problems for the last twenty-five years. Located in West Nashville, Reconciliation Family Resource Center is open for all families to obtain information on incarceration and demystification of the visitation process. We believe that children who maintain close relationships with incarcerated family members are less likely to offend than those who do not. We offer support for families and youth, and education to those who are interested in learning more about the effects of parental incarceration on children.
No fee.
Contact: ANN CHARVAT
Phone: (615) 292-6371
E-mail: reconciliation84@gmail.com
SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER
www.sacenter.org
The SAC’s Safe@Last personal safety curriculum has an emphasis on primary prevention (personal safety, phone & internet safety, home-alone safety, gun safety, bullying, etc.). MNPS school counselors have been trained to teach the K-6 curriculum. It has been used by MNPS for over 10 years. “Be” is the middle school and high school curriculum promoting healthy relationships. It addresses bullying, texting, internet safety, healthy relationships, peer pressure, self image, bystander intervention, and TN laws on rape and coercion. The “Be” program is taught by MNPS school counselors, health and English teachers who are trained in the curriculum.
SAC also offers teen peer discussions called Psycho-ed Groups. Tailor made for middle school students, the groups are separated by gender to allow greater comfort and freedom of expression. The groups are designed to meet six times and discussion topics may include respect, bullying, sexual harassment vs. flirting, media and influences, bystander intervention, and TN laws on rape and coercion.
Fees Vary.
Contact: SHARON L. TRAVIS
Phone: 24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-879-1999; (615) 259-9055 ext. 333
Fax: (615) 259-9056
E-Mail: stravis@sacenter.org
STARS NASHVILLE
www.starsnashville.org
Kids on the Block of STARS Nashville provides educational puppetry programs for children kindergarten through the 6th grade. These programs are designed to be an enhancement tool for a guidance counselor’s curriculum. The topics covered are Bullying Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention, Disability Awareness, Prejudice Prevention, Combating Childhood Obesity, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Substance Abuse Prevention. With each program, the students are able to ask the puppets questions. At this point the students relate to the puppets as peers and ask questions accordingly. Materials are given to students to reinforce the message.
Travel Fee: $50
Contact: MELANIE SCOTT
Phone: (615) 279-0058
E-mail: mscott@starsnashville.org
TENNESSEE SUICIDE PREVENTION NETWORK
www.tspn.org
TSPN provides suicide prevention education and awareness services to school systems across the state, resources for school staff and students, and assistance with post-ventions following suicide incidents.
No fee.
Contact: SCOTT RIDGWAY
Phone: (615) 297-1077
E-mail: tspn@tspn.org
VANDERBILT KENNEDY CENTER
www.familypathfinder.org
Two of our affiliated programs offer prevention supports for educational professionals:
1) Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.
2) Britt Henderson Training Series
http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/training/community/page.aspx?id=73
This annual series of workshops provides school teams that include both general and special educators. Workshops focus on innovative evidence-based practices to improve the quality of education for students with diverse learning needs.
Fee varies according to service provided, age and insurance coverage.
Contact: LYNNETTE HENDERSON
Phone: (615) 936-0448
E-mail: lynnette.henderson@vanderbilt.edu