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| Al Franken (Photo credit: jpellgen) |
A bill was introduced in Congress last week that would provide mental health services to students in public schools. The bill would provide funding for increased mental health services and more therapists for students with emotional or mental health issues. Readers who feel that students with these disabilities should have more services of this type available in public schools should alert their congressional representatives that they favor the bill.
Here is a press release about Sen. Al Franken's bill. Here is a press release about Rep. Napolitano's house bill.
It COULD be a good idea, or it COULD be a new income stream for professionals. The bulk should go towards peer-based intervention, rather than some disconnected person (think of the social worker in West Side Story's "Officer Krupke" e.g.). As a New Yorker from Staten Island, I saw school-based therapy pushed onto kids post-World Trade Center... and IMO in many cases it caused more harm than good. I've also seen many black male students categorized as Emotionally Disturbed hustled off to sit with a past-middle-aged white woman who is completely clueless (and often more than a little scared to be in the same room with these guys)... there could be big problems with this idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog with a ton of topics and laws that we should be familiar with! As a student perusing my SPED Mild/Moderate Credential, I am constantly researching and trying to be as up to date as possible. This blog has been great to explore and hear about new laws or legal happenings. I have not heard about this Act but it is definitely something I want to read more into. Sounds like this would be a great way to strengthen the mental health of all our students!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca
ReplyDeleteJG
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