If you’re struggling in any way, whoever you chose to reach out to is a lucky person. You help them by allowing them to help you, and you’re tacitly saying, “I trust you.”
Successful Federal Grant Application – SEL, PBIS, Elementary Counseling & School Social Work (US Dept. of Education).
This successful grant application to the US Department of Education combined structured play during recess with school-based counseling and school social work services to strengthen social, emotional, and behavioral health wellness. Inclusion and school climate skyrocketed, attendance increased, and rates of discipline declined.
James Wogan, LCSW was the lead author and project coordinator for this successful SEL program.
Based on data, PBIS was applied through an equity lens to serve historically underserved communities. The district hired 3.0 FTE” “Social Work Specialists” and expanded support for MTSS Tier 2 and Tier 3 students. Parents from diverse backgrounds strengthen their connection with school.
Staff members straddled the school day and worked in the after school program as well, therefore were present when parents picked up their children.
Example for others to build upon.
We met or exceeded target goals and outcome measures.
www2.ed.gov/programs/elseccounseling/fy15awards/2015-215e-0516.pdf
James Wogan, LCSW
5 Tips: Trauma-Informed De-escalation of teens
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6462889721298194432
#Trauma-#Informed #DeEscalation #Angry and #Aggressive #Teens: From Wogan #Training / #Professional #Development:
– Safety1: Don’t block a kid’s path or put your arm out to stop a student from leaving a classroom. No “hip checks.”
– Safety2: Kid’s escalate quickly, go the opposite direction – slow things down, time is your friend for proximity, distance & safe space.
– Safety3: pause for the call, don’t be alone.
– Safety4: Avoid command language such as “You need to… I need you to…” vs. – “It’s time to… + Ask Questions; engage the frontal lobes. “What happened? Are you ready to…?
– Safety5: Rehearse Comprehensive School Safety Plans, Know your role and what you’ll do ahead of time, so you can #respond vs. #react.
Training / Professional Development
Youth | Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
Youth | Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
— Read on www.crisissupport.org/resources/suicide-prevention/youth/
Suicide Prevention in Alameda County. You’re not alone. Maybe it’s hard to imagine things getting better, but they can, and they will. Reach out. People you don’t even know will be there for you.
Providing outreach and support to districts, schools, parents and high risk youth populations – Los Angeles County Youth Suicide Prevention Project
Providing outreach and support to districts, schools, parents and high risk youth populations – Los Angeles County Youth Suicide Prevention Project
— Read on preventsuicide.lacoe.edu/
Suicide Spike Alert: children and teenagers are attempting and dying by suicide at younger ages, and far more often.
Children and teens, especially young girls, are attempting and thinking about suicide far more often than they were a decade ago.
See article in TIME MAGAZINE:
time.com/5279029/suicide-rates-rising-study/
Reach Out. Ask.
Connect that Friend or Family Member with Support.
You’re not alone.
Tel #: :1-800-273-8255
24/7 365:
1.800.273.8255
Online Chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Diving Grandma
Click here to see Diving Grandma doing backflip. Retired school principal dives and does flips in Berkeley, CA. Mary is 79! 
Trauma Informed Practices through the Lens of Equity
Trauma Informed Practices Through the Lens of Equity. Professional Development Training Conference Workshop led at the Equity Cultural Competence Summit in Vallejo, CA.
Mental Health at Work
Mental Health at Work is important for all of us. Shout out to Prince William, link below.
www.prevention.com/health/mental-health/a23104961/prince-william-mental-health-at-work/
Staff Wellness Program operates out of the Wellness Center.
Positive work environment, appreciation, climate, diversity, breaks & celebration, culture, equity, gender respect, shared vision, meeting in circles, Wellness Center, “work friends” with inclusiveness.
“Package of 5 Wellness Model”
We avoid the simple solutions. We try not to say “If we could just…” because that reinforces a consumer mentality. What’s your Fave 5 when it comes to mental health and work wellness? Five (5) things, when combined together, make a big difference in our own health and wellness.
Oh yeah.
How Writing Can Help You Cut Your Math Anxiety by 50%
Self reflection can be a magical tool. Writing a memoir about one’s journey with math has been shown to lower anxiety. See link to article.
The next step is to combine writing reflections with other supports. Peer-to-Peer cohort group experiences, for example, help to validate and normalize common childhood experiences. “Oh you too” moments help to increase emotional wellness, and social connections around shared experiences. Facilitated dialogue, reflection, and supporting others increases behavioral health.
Writing about math can be especially helpful for girls, young women who often decide by 7th grade if they are “smart” or not, using math as a measure.
Hats off to teachers of math who inspire, scaffold, and support the learning of each student. It’s a small distinction, through the lens of equity, “each student” vs. “all students.”
Behavioral health vs mental illness. “Packages of support.” Let’s work on child and adolescent wellness together.
Fail successfully to lower anxiety
www.independent.co.uk/voices/ways-to-help-with-anxiety-science-medication-study-a8310406.html
“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.”
Make this 1/5 of your approach to lower anxiety? Don’t let need for perfection get in the way of doing something okay the first time, kinda okay the next three times, then working toward doing it well.
“Don’t always believe what you think.” Positive thinking, and behavior, takes practice. We’re carving new neuro-pathways.
The younger the client, the more therapy is interactive. The first time we do something, or talk openly about how we feel, it may feel awkward. The 19th time will come much easier.
Positive Vocabulary
www.buzzfeed.com/tomvellner/words-and-phrases-to-help-mental-health
Practical suggestions and good advice is always welcome. This isn’t a panacea for mental health concerns. Avoid saying, “If I could just…”.
“If I could just exercise more, find the right partner, change jobs, new medication…”. Mental health takes work. Therapy can be difficult, challenging, and part of the “package of support” that leads to lasting change. It’s the combination of things that make a difference.
This is for all the lonely people, thinking that life has passed them by.
This is also for people who are married, and lonely.
Mental Health in the NBA
Adonal Foyl writes about the Mental Aspects of The Game.
School Wellness Centers
Why Wellness in Schools?
SCHOOL WELLNESS CENTERS are a powerful investment in the health and
academic potential of children and adolescents. They provide access to caring
adults and services such as primary care, counseling, mentoring, and peer-to-peer
support. School Wellness Centers support teachers by assisting children and
adolescents to thrive in the classroom and beyond!
SCHOOL WELLNESS CENTERS provide access to free health care,
behavioral health services, and positive youth activities in a location that is fun,
safe, and convenient – at school. Parent University is one of the many great
programs that are offered at School Wellness Centers.
http://www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2583
SCHOOL WELLNESS CENTERS contribute directly to school and Mt. Diablo
Unified School District goals under LCAP, such as improved rates of attendance,
support for special populations, and parent and guardian engagement. School
administrators, teachers, and support staff work together to improve social,
emotional, and behavioral health. School Wellness Centers bring people
together with a shared vision for equity and the healthy development of children.
They also provide a platform for inter-agency collaboration, making resources
from the community accessible to children and families in the school setting.
See more at: UCLA SMHP
For more information about School Wellness Centers, please contact:
James Wogan, MFT, LCSW, PPSC
Administrator, School Linked Services
Student Services Department, Mt. Diablo Unified
I-Message / Text: 925.250.5500
jameswogan@yahoo.com
James Wogan LCSW 
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