School-Based Mental Health
Resources that support social-emotional, psychological, behavioral, and physical health of students in school.
District of Columbia Resources
Strong Start: Strong Start DC Early Intervention Program provides supports to infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities as well as supports to their families.
Early Stages: Early Stages is a program of DC Public Schools that evaluates and supports children 2 years, 8 months to 5 years, 10 months with developmental disabilities
Office of the Student Advocate : The Office of the Student Advocate provides support to families in DC who are navigating the public education system.
Office of Ombudsman for Public Education: The DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education helps families resolve school-based conflicts with the District’s public and public charter schools.
Special Education Programs and Resource Guide: The Division of Specialized Instruction website hosts a Special Education Family Guide for families in DC.
Advocates for Justice in Education: Advocates for Justice in Education, Inc. is the Parent Training and Information center for DC.
Children’s Law Center: Children’s Law Center supports the DC community and can provide legal help to families who need it.
DC Education Resource Center : The DC Education Resource Center provides helpful links to DC educational resources.
DC guide for families in private or religious schools: This DCPS website provides information about special education and students in private or religious schools.
DC School Behavioral Health Program: The DC Department of Behavioral Health supports the School Behavioral Health Program which offers prevention, early intervention, and treatment services to students in DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools.
DC School Behavioral Health Program School-Clinician List : This website has a list of all schools and organizations participating in the School Behavioral Health Program above as well as contact information for getting connected to services.
Maryland Resources
School Mental Health and Youth Crisis Response Across Maryland: Webinar from the BHIPP Mental Health Crisis Training series.
Maryland State Department of Education School Mental Health: Information on programs that support social-emotional, psychological, behavioral, and physical health of all students.
Maryland State Department of Education Early Intervention and Special Education Services: Website includes resources for educators and families.
Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities Directory: A directory by county of special education facilities approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.
ParentsPlace of Maryland: Staffed primarily by parents who have faced these challenges, this organization provides parent support and training for attaining education and health care services for children with disabilities. Resources available in English and Spanish.
Virginia Resources
Virginia Mental Health Access Program Guide for Promoting Child and Adolescent Behavioral and Mental Health in Primary Care (VMAP Guidebook): The VMAP Guidebook is a compilation of evidence-based practices, up-to-date resources, and practical knowledge specifically geared toward pediatric and adolescent healthcare providers. See page 49 for information about school-delivered services.
Virginia Department of Education Integrated Student Supports: Information on statewide initiatives to improve students’ outcomes by systematically supporting their academic and non-academic needs.
Virginia Department of Education Integrated Student Supports: Information for families on the special education process and resources.
Virginia Academy of School Psychologists Resource Page: Includes resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students, suicide prevention, bullying prevention, and other topics.
The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center: Seeks to improve opportunities for excellence in education and success in school and community life, with a special focus on children with disabilities. The website includes handouts for families on topics including special education, early childhood education, transition to adulthood. Includes a digital portfolio for parents of children with disabilities to organize personal, educational, medical, and legal information. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Formed Families Forward: A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families of children and youth with disabilities and other special needs. Website includes a Northern Virginia Family Resource Directory, information on support groups, and workbook on transition planning for Virginia families.
Special Education, IEP, and 504 Plan Resources
Center for Parent Information and Resources : Overview of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from the Center for Parent Information and Resources.
Understood for All Inc.: Understood for All provides resources and supports so people who learn and think differently can thrive in school, at work, and throughout life.
Understanding IEPs: Resource from Understood for All that helps explain what IEPs are and how they work.
Public school IEPs vs private school service plans: Resource from Understood for All that helps explain the difference between IEPs for students in public schools and supports available for children in private schools.
IEPs vs. 504 Plans : Resource from Understood for All that helps explain how IEPs are different from 504 Plans.
Special Education: A Basic Guide for Parents (PDF): This resource from the National Association of School Psychologists provides an overview of special education for parents.
Sample IEP Evaluation Request: Sample language that families can use when writing a letter to their child’s school to request an evaluation for IEP eligibility.
Wrights Law: Resources on special education from Wrights Law.
General Resources and Resources for Specific Conditions
Children and Schools Resource Center: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provides resources, apps, books, and websites that are helpful for navigating issues related to schools.
Accommodations for Students with Anxiety: Resource from Understood for All on potential classroom accommodations to consider for students with anxiety.
Depression: Supporting Students at School (PDF): Resource from the National Association of School Psychologists on how to support children and adolescents with depression while they are in school.
ADHD: A Primer for Parents and Educators (PDF): Resource from the National Association of School Psychologists on how to support children and adolescents with ADHD.
Intellectual Ability and Assessment: A Primer for Parents and Educators (PDF): Resource from the National Association of School Psychologists on how to support children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
