Advocating for Students: Psychological Safety

Overview of Session

  • Presented by: Jason Castillo, MPAff and Maddie Garza, LMSW
  • Focus: Leveraging state funds for student mental health

Disclosure

  • The authors have made reasonable efforts to ensure that all information is accurate per the latest scientific evidence.
  • The information is subject to constant change; participants are advised to confirm practice resources before applying any learned information.
  • Activities from UT Social Work aim to supplement the knowledge of social workers and mental health professionals.
  • Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Texas at Austin or UT Social Work.

Learning Objectives

  • At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
    • Engage in local advocacy and campaign building.
    • Conduct policy analysis and education.

About Us

Jason Castillo

  • Education: Bachelor's in Political Science and American Studies; MPAff from the LBJ School at UT Austin.
  • Position: Adjunct Assistant Professor at UT Austin.
  • Experience: Interned for Senator West at the Texas Senate.
  • Personal Note: Has a rat-chi mix named Chula.

Maddie Garza

  • Education: Bachelor’s in International Studies; Master's in Social Work (LMSW).
  • Experience: Worked in a school, behavior therapy clinic, member-based organization, and the foundation.
  • Personal Note: Has a lab named Juno.

Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

  • Emphasizes the Power of Local Advocacy.

Why Local Advocacy Is Powerful

  • Influence: School boards are platforms for influencing public education.
  • Community Actions: Includes calling, emailing, showing up, and sharing personal stories.
  • Governmental Proximity: Closest level of government to the populace; decisions directly affect daily lives.
  • Impact of Personal Stories: Personal stories can significantly sway outcomes.
  • Collective Voices: A few voices can lead to substantial changes.

The Power of Collective Action

  • Real change is achieved through collective efforts.
    • Transformation of Concern into Impact: The shift from individual concerns to community-focused initiatives.
    • Collective Power: Builds through shared goals and coordinated action.
    • Community Empowerment: Local advocacy allows communities to exert control over systems affecting their lives.
    • Channeling Community Voices: This advocacy translates community concerns into real results.

Example: Fight for Academic Freedom

  • Context: Controversial meetings in Lexington-Richland, SC, regarding the dismissal of a teacher.
  • Organized Defense: Included teachers, concerned parents, and recruitment from reading groups and social media.
  • Outcome: The teacher was retained, and the book "Between the World and Me" was reinstated in library collections.

What This Teaches Us About Power

  • Local advocacy compensates for inefficiencies in higher systems.
  • Community Ownership: Fosters trust and resilience within the community.
  • Significance of Actions: Emphasizes that every action is vital; local advocacy is the genesis of substantial change.

School Safety Allotment

Overview

  • Analyzed by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
  • Current Funding Status: Texas allocates zero dollars to mental health initiatives in public schools.

Legislative Background

  • In 2019, the Texas legislature enacted a School Safety Allotment via Senate Bill 11.
  • Focus of Allotment: Fund strategies for school safety and security, including mental health and school climate.
  • Usage Statistics: Predominately spent on campus security and physical hardening.

Allowable Uses of the School Safety Allotment Under Texas Education Code, Sec. 48.160

  • Providing mental health personnel and behavioral health services.
  • Programming for the prevention and treatment associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
  • Management and identification of emergencies and threats.
  • Employing licensed counselors, social workers, chaplains, and restorative justice-trained personnel.
  • Establishing threat reporting systems.
  • Creating programs focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant instruction, and mental health support.
  • Programs for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention support.
  • Hiring a school safety director and other related personnel.

Recent Legislative Changes

  • As of the 2023-24 school year, only 1.4% of the allocated funds were utilized for mental health services.
  • Senate Bill 260 has increased the allotment from $100 million to $370 million over the biennium.
  • Increased per campus allotment:
    • $20 per student in average daily attendance (up to a limit).
    • $30,000 per campus.

School Boards of Trustees

Overview

  • Number of Districts: Texas has over 1,200 independent school districts.
  • Operational Independence: School districts operate independently from cities and counties.
  • Geographical Context: Examples include Travis County, City of Austin, and the various Independent School Districts (ISD) like Manor ISD or Del Valle ISD.

Elected Positions of School Boards

  • School board trustees can be elected either by ISD-specific constituencies or as at-large members.
  • Volunteer Basis: Trustees serve voluntarily without salary, as mandated by law.

Legal Requirements for School Boards

  • New state laws require each district to implement a parental engagement policy, which includes:
    • Providing an online portal for public comments on items for consideration.
    • Scheduling school board meetings outside regular working hours.
    • Making audio and video recordings of meetings available post-event.

Engaging with Local Advocacy

Finding Your District

  • Begin by locating your district using the TEA School District Locator website.
  • Once the district is identified, visit the ISD website to find:
    • School board members.
    • Meeting agendas.
    • Meeting frequency.

Connecting to Sources of Power

  • Recognize that initial issues may not be encountered firsthand.
  • Collaboration: Connect with organizations and groups addressing relevant issues.
  • Helpful strategies include:
    • Including community names and specific issues in search queries.
    • Engaging in conversations with parents or community members during regular interactions (e.g., school drop-offs or church activities).

Activity Time

  • Included within the session to apply learned strategies and information.

Q&A

  • Held to clarify concepts and discuss further opportunities for advocacy.

Contact Information

Presenters:

  • Maddie Garza, LMSW
  • Jason Castillo, MPAff
    Email: jason.castillo@austin.utexas.edu
    Website: HOGG.UTEXAS.EDU

Acknowledgments

  • Thanks to all participants for their engagement and commitment to advocating for student mental health issues.