Research Impact Spotlight: Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health
In recognizing the need for quality mental health provision for Waco ISD and Transformation Waco students, a research project was launched through funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Professor Carrie Arroyo, LCSW of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University alongside Mary Zane Nelson, LCSW, and Dr. Stephanie Boddie, in partnership with two high-needs local education agencies, is increasing attention given to the mental and emotional well-being of Waco ISD and Transformation Waco students.
The Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health research project has identified six master's level clinical interns this year to begin intervention. Through specialized training and practice, these students will graduate with the skills needed to provide school-based mental health services. A Clinical School Social Work certificate program is being developed and will be available in future years to MSW students. By learning and utilizing skills in assessment, intervention, and evaluation of evidence-based services, the interns are increasing access to holistic, client-centered, and culturally inclusive mental health services on the school campuses. Increasing the mental health and social and emotional well-being of students positively impacts the students, their families, and our community at large. The program also aims to increase school-based mental health providers in our area by providing mental health education to local Waco residents.
One of the six clinical interns Mariana Navarro says of the project, "It has been a very eye-opening experience for me. When I started, I did not know how the school system worked in Texas, specifically here in Waco. Throughout the past 3 months, I have learned a lot about the kids I work with and about myself. One of my kids specifically has had a lot of growth and both the teachers and his mom have noted it."
Libba Corson another clinical intern shares, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this program. Middle school is hard! Not only are middle schoolers navigating their changing minds, and bodies, and fumbling through new levels of independence at school, but most of the students I see have also experienced complex trauma and face many additional stressors. I can, through this program, provide a safe and non-judgmental space for students to process these traumas and stressors as well as gain coping skills to help them thrive in the classroom. In my first week of internship, I had a student share they were experiencing a personal crisis. After following all the protocols for assessing safety and creating a safety plan with the family, I have continued to see this student weekly. The student struggled to pinpoint supports in their life that they could go to when experiencing these problems. Since that first week, I have been working with this student on her goal of “making at least one trustworthy friend.” We have used CBT skills to explore and address what thoughts may be preventing them from opening up to others and to explore their trust in their mom, who they want to be closer to. We’ve also been using these skills to explore what led up to their crisis. The client recently stated that they have been feeling much better for several weeks and have begun to spend time with a new friend in one of their extracurricular activities. They have been visibly more engaged at school and in session, and they report spending less time alone at school and home. They also stated that they’ve been working on developing a closer relationship with their mom. I have been so excited to see their progress in such a short time span! I am excited to continue working with this student."
The efforts of these first few MSW students in the program will bring about increased school-based mental health services, an increase in school-based mental health service providers in the area (including Spanish-speaking providers), and improvement of local Waco students’ mental and emotional well-being this year and in the future.