The Marshall University School Health Technical Assistance Center (MUSHTAC) in the Division of Community Health, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and WVDHHR’s Bureau for Behavioral Health team had excellent visits with McNinch Primary, Moundsville Middle, Warm Springs Middle, Paw Paw School, Bluefield Intermediate, Williamson PK-8, Ripley Middle, George Ward Elementary, Tygart Valley Middle/High, Beverly Elementary, and Jennings Randolph Elementary Schools.
Between August 17 and September 15, the teams toured eleven (11) schools, learned about communities, partnerships, resources, evidence-based and supplemental programs in place as well as safety and lockdown procedures. We met with school, provider, and stakeholder teams to update their strengths, challenges, and current needs to set new goals and plan accordingly in the new school year. The team had rich input from school principals, administrators, county representatives, students, parents, faculty, mental health provider partners and community stakeholders.
Regardless of school size, the ESMH leadership teams all are dedicated to making a positive difference via student and community supports. Across all school sites, the power of human connection surpassed all.
