NNPS social emotional support program earns national award


Posted: February 24, 2022

The National School Boards Association has selected Newport News Public Schools' TEaMS program as a 2022 Silver Magna Award winner. The Magna Awards recognize school divisions for efforts that support underserved students.

NNPS established Tiered Emotional and Mental Health Supports (TEaMS) in 2019. The program offers a continuum of social and emotional services to students, ranging from classroom lessons addressing social emotional learning to direct outpatient clinical mental health support. In addition to classroom teachers, school counselors, student support specialists, school social workers and school psychologists are trained to recognize and address students' social emotional needs.

The TEaMS approach removes barriers to mental health care by providing services at no cost to families. The program fully funds licensed clinical mental health therapists who serve in the school setting, allowing all students access to needed help without absences. Having the support of therapists in the schools also frees up school counselors to perform other tasks. It is highly unusual for a school system to count licensed therapists among its own staff, and NNPS is the only school system in southeastern Virginia to offer such access to these professionals in schools.

Employees serving in the TEaMS program are able to address a wide variety of mental health needs at an appropriate level before issues become acute.

In addition to TEaMS professionals, all building level employees in Newport News are trained in the Youth Mental Health Awareness curriculum, equipping them to recognize mental health needs and refer students for assistance.

In the future, NNPS plans to expand the reach of the TEaMs program by assisting school social workers to earn licensed clinical social worker credentials.

Dr. Michele Mitchell, executive director for student advancement in Newport News Public Schools, says, "We recognize the increasing need for mental health services and want to make sure every student with that need is served without disruption to learning. We are so pleased to offer this range of support to Newport News students and their families."

"We recognize that optimal learning only happens when students are able to focus and concentrate on the lesson in front of them," said Dr. George Parker, superintendent of schools. "By addressing students' social-emotional needs, we help students reach their full academic potential."

NNPS and the other Magna Award winners will be featured in the April issue of American School Board Journal and will be honored at a reception at NSBA's annual conference in April in San Diego.

Student Support Specialists help students identify coping skills to deal with personal challenges, death and loss.
Student Support Specialists help students identify coping skills to deal with personal challenges, death and loss.
When students experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, School Social Workers provide support.
When students experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, School Social Workers provide support.