Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · 7d

October is #NationalPrincipalsMonth! Drop a ❤️ or tag a principal who inspires you. Let’s make this month special for the leaders who make a difference every single day.

#ThankAPrincipal

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · 13d

Youth suicide is preventable—and asking the right questions can save lives. The Asking is Caring (AiC) program empowers families and schools to support #youthmentalhealth through open conversations.

Watch our video below to learn more! ⏯️

#schoolmentalhealth #peertopeersupport #suicideprevention

Asking is Caring saves lives

YouTube video by Official - UW SMART Center

youtube.com

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · 14d

📣New publication from our team!

Schools are being asked to do more in #suicideprevention— but most programs still leave families out. We evaluated Asking is Caring, a family-to-family approach that partners w/schools.

Read here: smartcenter.uw.edu/wp-content/u...

#SchoolMentalHealth

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · 20d

Our Fall Newsletter is here!🍂🗞️

Student well-being + academic success go hand in hand—one can’t happen w/out the other. This issue, we’re diving into funding updates, research, publications, trainings, resources, & more to keep student #mentalhealth a priority.

Check it out today 👉 conta.cc/4m6YR6Z

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · 23d

🚨Youth mental health needs are at an all-time high, but the workforce is stretched thin.

Our study of Washington State’s BH-SAP shows paraprofessionals in schools make a big impact:

✅ 2,500+ students supported
✅ More hope, stronger connections, fewer issues
✅ 96% found it helpful

Read Full study👇

Behavioral Health Student Assistance Programs: Leveraging Non-Traditional Mental Health Providers to Address Workforce Shortages and Mitigate the Youth Mental Health Crisis - Administration and Policy...

Workforce shortages and other barriers have undermined efforts to address recent spikes in youth behavioral health problems. This study evaluates Washington State’s Behavioral Health Student Assistanc...

link.springer.com

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Sep 8

📣School-based #mentalhealth pros:
Join the WSW Skills Institute, a 3-part virtual training for #schoolsocialworkers, #counselors, #psychologists, #nurses & #BCBAs. Learn MTSS strategies for absenteeism, suicide prevention & more.

Oct 8, 15, & 22 | $100/session or $250 all.
👉 bit.ly/Register-WSW...

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Aug 21

📣School leaders & policy-makers: student #mentalhealth can’t wait!

-58%+ of teens face anxiety/depression
-1 in 5 need clinical care
-Universal SEBMH screening = early support

Our analysis shows mixed implementation, guidance gaps, but strong support. 📄Read our 2-page legislative executive brief👇

bit.ly

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Aug 20

New school year = new resources!
WA schools now have Best Practice Guides for Universal SEBMH Screening—a practical tool to support student #mentalhealth.

👉 Guides: bit.ly/UniversalScr...
📘 Full report: bit.ly/WAScreeningR...
🌐 More resources: smartcenter.uw.edu/smart-ortal

#BackToSchool2025

SMART ORTAL – School Mental Health Assessment, Research, & Training Center

smartcenter.uw.edu

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Aug 13

WA High Schools: Join the UW SMART Center’s BRIDGE Study this fall! Free training for staff on BRISC, a proven Tier 2 #mentalhealth program, plus payments for participants.

Help improve student support!!

Email [email protected] to learn more. bit.ly/UWSMARTCntr-...

bit.ly

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 29

Guest Speaker Spotlight!🌟

Join us Aug 6 for WSW Summer Institute | Tiered Solutions to Complex School-Based Mental Health Topics.

Session 1: Featuring John Taylor, a nationally recognized Seattle school counselor with an award-winning attendance program.
Register: wswinitiative.org/wsw-in-the-n...

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our USABILITY Study at UW is seeking 4th-6th grade public school students to test social-emotional learning activities on Zoom. 2 hrs of your time = $200 gift card!

Help us improve youth education & test how easy, hard, and engaging these activities are.

Questions? 📩 [email protected]

Sign up👇

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

uwashington.qualtrics.com

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 17

New from our Training & Technical Assistance Team: Final report on Universal Screening for student social-emotional, behavioral & mental health (SEBMH) in WA schools.

Educators support screening, but barriers like unclear definitions, limited resources & legal confusion remain.

Read full report👇

bit.ly

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 15

📢New publication!

Led by SMARTie Eric Bruns & Carol Ann Davis, this study offers expert recommendations for adapting #Wraparound to schools. The model aims to better support elementary students w/complex needs. Shout out to former SMARTies Katherine Soon (SUNNY-Albany) & Olivia Linkous (VCU)!
Read👇

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

doi.org

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 15

Just wrapped an incredible wk @ the 2025 UConn Training Institute!

Highlights:

Dr. Vivek Murthy on #YouthMentalHealth & connection
A powerful panel on belonging & #YoungPeopleThrive
Connected w/40+ Wraparound leaders nationwide

Thanks to UConn @Innovations Institute— leaving recharged + inspired!

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 10

Busy & inspiring wk @ UConn’s #2025TrainingInstitutes!

SMARTies Nikki York & Rachel Barrett shared WA’s Workforce for Student Wellbeing Initiative.

Bonus: Cookie Monster joined our co-Director Eric Bruns & the BH-SAP Team, reminding us all of the vital role we play in helping #YoungPeopleThrive!

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 10

Kicked off an impactful week @ UConn’s #2025TrainingInstitutes!

Our Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team (wrapresearch.org) shared wraparound research at the poster session & connected w/colleagues from across the U.S. working to support youth & families.

#WrapAroundCare #YoungPeopleThrive

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 9

Summer must-read/watch for educators☀️

Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation📘+his talk Smartphones vs. Smart Kids👇
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVq4...

Eye-opening insights on how phones & social media are impacting student #mentalhealth— & what we can do. Share w/your teams, start the conversation!

#EIE23: Jonathan Haidt: Smartphones vs. Smart Kids

YouTube video by ExcelinEd

www.youtube.com

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 8

At the UW SMART Center, we honor the history, leadership, & contributions of people w/disabilities & the work still needed for true inclusion.

This #DisabilityHistoryAndAwareness Month, we proudly reaffirm our commitment to advancing equity, mental health & access for all students in every #school.

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 7

📣 School-based #mentalhealth pros:

Join the WSW Summer Institute, a 3-part virtual training for #schoolsocialworkers, #counselors, #psychologists & #BCBAs.
Learn MTSS strategies for absenteeism, suicide prevention & more.

Aug 6, 13, 20 | $100/session or $250 all.
Register: bit.ly/Register-WSW...

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jul 2

July is BIPOC #MentalHealth Month. We honor Bebe Moore Campbell’s legacy and uplift the need for culturally responsive, equitable mental health care for BIPOC communities. Mental health is not one-size-fits-all.

📚Learn more: mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental...

BIPOC Mental Health Month | Mental Health America

mhanational.org

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jun 30

Dr. Jill Locke, ranked #13 Autism researcher in the world: bit.ly/25-Prominent..., & former SMART Co-Director, is heading to UCLA.

Thank you so much for your leadership, mentorship & impact. We'll miss you but look forward to our continued collaboration.

Best wishes to you & your family in LA! 💛

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jun 19

Juneteenth marks freedom and resilience—158 years since the last enslaved people in Texas were freed, 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

#Juneteenth reminds us of the power of liberation and the strength of those who fought for it — and still do.✊🖤

Learn more: @NMAAHC🔗

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food and freedom.

nmaahc.si.edu

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SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jun 17

📣ESAs—Don’t miss the WSW Summer Institute!
A 3-part virtual MTSS training focused on today’s top #schoolmentalhealth challenges.

🗓 Aug 6, 13, 20 | 9 AM–12 PM PDT
$100/session or $250/all | Clock Hours | PESB Approved

Register today: bit.ly/Register-WSW...

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jun 16

📉WA dropped from 14th to 16th in the nation for child well-being (2025 KIDS COUNT®). Children’s Alliance recently shared this report, showing declines in health, education & finances—driven by pandemic impacts & economic strain.
Prioritizing #mentalhealth & whole-child support is key!
Learn more ⬇️

WASHINGTON FALLS IN NATIONAL RANKINGS FOR OVERALL CHILD WELL-BEING — Children's Alliance

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book show’s that Washington leaders must do more to provide the support and resources children need to thrive in school and life.

www.childrensalliance.org

SMART Center @smartctr.bsky.social · Jun 13

Hats off to #schoolsocialworkers!🎓💛

At the Workforce for Student Well-being Retreat, Erin Vidler Romanuk (Lake WA SD) reminded us: You are the heartbeat of student well-being, the quiet force behind breakthroughs, & champions of hope.

Congrats 2025 WSW Cohort!

Full speech: bit.ly/WSW-2025Retr...