When a student’s behavior gets in the way of their learning and/or the learning of others, the school is responsible to figure out how to support behavioral expectations. One way to do that is to assess why the student might be acting out and use that information to consider how positive behavioral interventions might teach Read More
Category: Health & Wellness
Information on physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
Adolescent Health Care Act Provides Options for Families Seeking Mental Health and Substance Use Help for Young People Resistant to Treatment
A Brief Overview The Adolescent Behavioral Health Care Access Act, passed into law by the Washington Legislature in 2019, gives parents and providers more leverage in treating a young person who will not or cannot independently seek medical help for a behavioral health condition. The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) hosts website links with information about Read More
Mental Health Education and Support at School can be Critical
A Brief Overview Alarming statistics indicate the pandemic worsened many behavioral health outcomes for young people. Governor Jay Inslee on March 14, 2021, issued an emergency proclamation declaring children’s mental health to be in crisis. President Joe Biden issued a Fact Sheet about the nation’s mental health crisis on March 1, 2022, as part of his State Read More
WISe Provides Team-Based Services for Washington Youth with Severe Behavioral Health Disorders
A Brief Overview WISe behavioral healthcare teams serve children and youth 20 or younger whose conditions are too severe to benefit appropriately from regular visits to a community clinician and/or therapist. To qualify for WISe, the young person must be eligible for Apple Health, which is the public health program for Washington State. WAC 182-505-0210 Read More
Children’s Long-Term Inpatient Program (CLIP) Provides Residential Psychiatric Treatment
A Brief Overview CLIP serves children ages 5-17 by providing mental-health treatment and school in a secure, residential facility. Read on for more information about CLIP eligibility and how to initiate a referral. Young people placed in CLIP could not recover adequately with the most intensive outpatient services available, which in Washington are provided through Read More
Holiday Survival Tips For Families with Special Healthcare Needs
Every family experiences holidays and end-of-year transitions differently. This article provides a sampling of ideas for families with children impacted by special healthcare needs. Here are some quick takeaways: Break the routine: Shifting from everyday routines can feel special even when activities are home-based and simple. Plan and save surprises too: Mix up the activities Read More
Long COVID May Cause Disability and Eligibility for Services
Some people infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus experience long-term symptoms—called Long COVID. If lasting symptoms significantly impact a person’s life, their ability to work, or their access to school, disability laws are in place to protect and support them. Among federal laws that support disability rights are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Read More
Health Information for Families as Schools Reopen During COVID Pandemic
As schools open for the 2021-22 school year, families have decisions to make about health and safety. This article provides information and resources to address some key questions: What measures are schools required to take to keep children and staff safe? What COVID precautions should our family consider? What should we do if returning to Read More
What to Know about Adapted Physical Education in Washington State
A Brief Overview Physical Education (PE) is adapted in four primary ways to support students with disabilities. Read on for more detail. Federal law protects the rights of students with disabilities to access PE, and Adapted PE (APE) can be provided as a service on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). How often Adapted PE Read More