Implementation Chart - Goal Area 5
Goal Area 5: Mental Health and Wellness Implementation Years
Performance Objectives 2024- 2025- 2026- 2027- 2028-
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
5.1: Create safe and supportive environments that promote positive mental health and I I R R R
wellness.
5.2: Increase awareness of factors that can impact mental health to foster well-managed P I R R R
learning environments.
5.3: Increase mental health support staff to improve classroom behavior and peer I I R R R
relationships
5.4: Expand staff participation in mental health professional learning opportunities. I I R R R
Strategic Plan 2024 - 2029 3 3
Goal Area 5: Mental Health and Wellness
Performance Objective and Strategies KPI Goals for Year 2 (2025-2026) Progress Update
5.1: Create safe and supportive environments that Smart Goal: By 2029, DCSD By the end of Dec 2024, at least District is considering the purchase of a
promote positive mental health and wellness. will increase the number of 85% of school staff will universal screener to gather baseline
student safe centers to twenty. participate in SEL annual data regarding student wellbeing.
a. Implement a standardized needs assessment for staff training.
There are now 8 Student and Family
and students to determine the level of support needed Smart Goal: By 2029, DCSD
Engagement (SAFE) Centers and ten Safe
and general awareness. will increase the number of By April of 2025, at least 85% of Spaces. Lithonia and Stephenson SAFE
b. Provide social emotional learning (SEL) training to create staff safe spaces to fifteen. all students' grades 2nd - 8th Centers will host grand opening in the
safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for students. will participate in SEL lessons Spring 2026. All 8 centers provide mental
as a Tier I intervention. health support.
c. Implement the SEL curriculum to help students manage
emotions, problem solve, as well as create positive
By the end of 2026, each 69% of all 2nd to 8th graders received SEL
relationships with others. school in DeKalb will have at lessons. 200 high school students
d. Increase mental health awareness by offering annual least 2 staff members that have attended Teen Summit.
training for staff and students. been trained in restorative
e. Develop a communication plan for reporting mental 9,215 staff members trained in signs,
practices; MindSet Verbal De-
symptoms and identification of mental
health emergencies. This plan will outline how staff will Escalation, Connection health concerns, 27 trained in Reaching
communicate with students, parents, and first Matters and/or Restorative Teens: Strength-Based, Trauma-
responders in the event of an emergency. Circles. Sensitive, Resilience-Building
f. Develop clear and accessible channels for students to Communications, 67 trained in Youth
report mental health concerns. At the start of 2025-2026 85 Mental Health First Aid, 690 trained in
g. Provide resources and opportunities for mindfulness principals and 152 assistant Connections Matter; 1982 employees
principals were trained in trained in SEL.
practices for students and staff.
restorative practices. With the
remaining trainings happening Students will report mental health
concerns to an adult in the building.
in September & October.
Adult refers student to counselor/soc
worker.
100% of schools receive the
school counselor and social
work training which outline the
referral process.
Strategic Plan 2024 - 2029 4 4
Goal Area 5: Mental Health and Wellness
Performance Objective and Strategies KPI Goals for Year 2 (2025-2026) Progress Update
5.2: Increased awareness of factors that can impact mental health to Smart Goal: By 2029, DCSD will increase Increase efforts to create standard Continuing to utilize the Recruit, Train,
foster well managed learning environments. mental health support staff to twenty- operating procedures for handling and Retain Program with University of
three. staff in acute crises, increase mental Georgia to increase the number of
a. Youth mental health awareness training health partnerships, recruit mental psychologists.
health personnel to address staffing
need. As of 5/15/25 DCSD employs 53 School
Psychologists (+8 from June 2024)
Strategic Plan 2024 - 2029 5 5
Goal Area 5: Mental Health and Wellness
Performance Objective and Strategies KPI Goals for Year 2 (2025-2026) Progress Update
5.3: Increase mental health support staff to improve classroom Smart Goal: By 2029, DCSD will increase Increase efforts to create standard Continuing to utilize the Recruit, Train,
behavior and peer relationships. mental health support staff to twenty- operating procedures for handling and Retain Program with University of
three. staff in acute crises, increase mental Georgia to increase the number of
a. Establish partnerships with recruitment agencies to increase mental health partnerships, recruit mental psychologists.
health support staff. health personnel to address staffing
b. Advertise mental health career opportunities in local, state, and need. As of 5/15/25 DCSD employs 53 School
national publications. Psychologists (+8 from June 2024)
c. Increase partnerships with mental health agencies to recruit potential
candidates.
d. Collaborate with colleges and universities to create a pipeline of
potential mental health candidates.
Strategic Plan 2024 - 2029 6 6
Goal Area 5: Mental Health and Wellness
Performance Objective and Strategies KPI Goals for Year 2 (2025-2026) Progress Update
5.4: Expand staff participation in mental health professional Smart Goal: By 2029, 152 staff will By the end of SY 2026 we will have a At this time, we have had 44 staff
learning opportunities. be trained in Mental First Aid for minimum of 12 department mental members across the district
Adults. health activities during staff trained in Mental Health First
meetings. Aid. We are working with Kaiser
a. Mental First-Aid for adults. Permanente to schedule two
Continue offering Mental Health MHFA Certification classes
First Aid adult classes for the entire before 6.30.26. We have
department. End goal is that all of meetings scheduled with area
HR will have taken the class and we leaders in HS, MS, & ES to
will move towards offering MHFA for ensure class attendance.
adults into our schools for
educators and staff.
By end 2026: DCSD staff have
wellness ambassadors in each
school/division.
Strategic Plan 2024 - 2029 7 7
152 staff will be trained
in Mental Health First
Aid for Adults.
8