ESU 3’s Innovative Approach to Supporting Student Mental Health in Schools

Posted on April 28, 2023August 2, 2023 by Andrew Easton

ESU 3’s team of mental health leaders (Jen Pollock, Sarah Eades Hamilton, Ashlee Houy, and Avery Fleck) join The Good Life EDU podcast this week to share their work under the SAMHSA mental health grant that was awarded to Nebraska Region 6/ESU 3. The grant funds their unique and innovative approach to supporting student mental health in the rural schools in their region, and their collective hope is that this effort can be a model others adopt and build upon across the country. US Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, recently visited ESU 3 to learn more about this effort, and now our listeners can learn all about it as well!

To learn more about the School Mental Health Services at ESU 3, access: smhs.esu3.org/home

To learn more about Grants for the Expansion and Sustainability of Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances, access: Grants | SAMHSA

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Conversations with U.S. Secretary of Education on Mental Health in Nebraska Schools

Posted on February 8, 2023March 22, 2023 by Rhonda Eis

United States Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona

On February 8th, 2023, the U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona visited Omaha, Nebraska, making stops at Bryan High School and Educational Service Unit #3. Secretary Cardona had been invited by ESU #3 Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dan Schnoes to make his first official visit to our state.

At ESU #3, Dr. Cardona met with Nebraska school leaders, therapists, mental health professionals, and students to discuss what those stakeholder groups are experiencing as the country faces a youth mental health crisis. His visit was to seek input from Nebraska schools and other organizations in the state who are implementing innovative programs in an effort to have a positive impact on student and educator mental health.

Dr Migual Cardona at ESU 3 — U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona participated in a roundtable with principals, superintendents, and therapists to discuss the mental health services provided to students in rural communities at Educational Service Unit #3. For more on the story of Secretary Cardona’s visit, access ESU 3’s press release: February 8, 2023 ESU #3 Visit with Secretary Cardona

The Good Life EDU Podcast episode features Dr. Dan Schnoes, CEO at ESU 3, whose advocacy led to the Secretary’s visit. We also welcome several Nebraska education leaders including Dr. Kraig Lofquist, Dr. John Skretta, Dr. Scott Blum, and Dr. McKayla LaBorde who all provide their own personal insights about this event. Additionally, Dr. Joan Wade, the Executive Director of AESA, joins us to provide some national context regarding the significance of this historic visit, the first where an acting US Secretary of Education has visited a service agency.

The Impact Hope has on Teaching and Learning

Posted on March 16, 2022June 15, 2022 by Andrew Easton

This week, Scott Butler of Project Harmony in Omaha, Nebraska speaks to the powerful role that hope plays in the learning process, both for the learner and the educator alike. The pod shares research, first-hand experiences, and practical examples of the process from which educators can begin to implement this layer of learning into the educational experiences they design.

For more on Project Harmony visit https://projectharmony.com/

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The ESUs’ Impact Series: SEL and Wellness – Episode 2

Posted on November 22, 2021February 21, 2022 by Andrew Easton

In each episode of this series, we chat with educators from different ESUs across Nebraska to learn more about how they serve and support the school systems in their respective regions of the state. This conversation focuses on the topic of social-emotional learning and wellness and features Jen McNally of ESU 5, Theresa Ritta-Olson of ESU 10, and Lynne Herr of ESU 6. Each of these ESU colleagues shares insights about the work they do in support of SEL and wellness on behalf of educators and learners in their area schools.

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A Conversation on “13 Things Strong Kids Do”

Posted on April 30, 2021June 22, 2021 by Andrew Easton

In this episode, international best-selling author and licensed clinical social worker, Amy Morin, joins us to share out about her new book, 13 Things Strong Kids Do. This conversation delves into Amy’s own personal backstory as the impetus driving the Why behind her work, and we explore some of the thirteen talking points in this text, making connections to an educational context.

To learn more from Amy, check out her website at https://amymorinlcsw.com/ where you can find courses, her podcast, books, and more.

For those in our network, check out he audiobook or ebook from the ESUCC PD Library here: ESUCC PD Library

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Behind-the-Scenes of The Mind Inside, Episode 3

Posted on February 11, 2021May 12, 2021 by Andrew Easton

This week we are joined by Sally Nellson Barrett, Andy Marinkovich, and Brittany Mascio of Nebraska Public Schools who give their behind-the-scenes insights on the latest I ❤️ Public Schools film, The Mind Inside, Episode 3. This docuseries explores the landscape of mental health issues in Nebraska’s public schools, with this particular episode focusing on the North Platte Public Schools’ Brandy Buscher (Director of Student Services NPPS) and Officer Jay Johnson (School Resource Officer NPPS) in their efforts to support the students they serve.

Click here to view The Mind Inside, Episode 3: https://iloveps.org/films/the-mind-inside-episode-three

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Student Mental Health in Nebraska

Posted on December 7, 2020February 9, 2021 by Rhonda Eis

ESUs Providing Social and Emotional Support

Nebraska News Service, a student news website at the University of Nebraska, recently highlighted the mental health services available to Nebraska students. Featured in the podcast is McKayla LaBorde, Director of Student Services at Educational Service Unit 3, and Sarah Hamilton, one of ESU 3’s clinical social workers. Listen to the episode to hear how ESUs are meeting students’ needs for social and emotional support and services.