School Based Mental Health Professionals Training: Equipping Your School System for Success

School Based Mental Health Professionals Training (NTI-ED) offers free online, training that equips school counselors, social workers and others supporting student mental health professionals to effectively attend to the mental health and developmental needs of foster, adoptive, and kinship students. For the purposes of this article, we’ll refer to these various roles as “educators.”

This comprehensive training was adapted from the evidence-based National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) and aims to elevate educator’s professional competencies, create supportive and inclusive learning environments, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being and outcomes for these students by supporting their unique identity and attachment challenges while promoting their academic success. In addition to benefiting this specific student populations, the training will provide skills and knowledge that can be applied to all students.

We are pleased to offer 17.5 free Continuing Education credits through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to participants who complete the training, providing an added incentive to take advantage of this valuable opportunity for professional development.

Why is Specialized Training Needed?

On average, 1 in 35 children in the United States are experiencing adoption, foster care, or kinship placement and 75% of those children are school-aged. Schoolwork often suffers due to instability in education, including multiple placements, delayed enrollment and higher absenteeism rates. Changing schools frequently leads to less academic progress than peers and may result in challenges developing and sustaining supportive relationships with teachers and peers. These barriers can result in detachment from peers and teachers, gaps in learning, inconsistent support systems, and limited access to resources needed for academic success. As a result, these students often struggle to maintain grade-level performance, stay engaged in school activities, and maintain positive relationships. By acknowledging these challenges and taking proactive measures to mitigate them, we can help students achieve their full potential.

Building Adoption Competence for Educators

Akey aspect of adoption competence for educators is understanding the impact of adoption on a child’s sense of identity and self-esteem. Adopted children may struggle with feelings of loss, abandonment, or rejection, and may have questions or concerns about their origins and family history. This becomes even more complex in transracial and transcultural placements, where children must navigate not only their adoption but also the dynamics of race, culture, and sometimes language differences. Educators trained in adoption competence can address these issues sensitively and effectively. They are equipped to help adopted children navigate their complex emotions, fostering the development of a positive sense of self. This includes understanding and respecting the child’s birth culture and heritage, promoting inclusivity, and providing culturally relevant resources.

Research shows that children in transracial and transcultural placements may experience feelings of isolation or confusion about their identity, which can affect their academic performance and overall well-being. It is essential for educators in these situations to provide support, resources, and culturally sensitive supports to help these students navigate their educational experiences successfully. Fostering open communication between the child, their caregivers, and the school community can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students involved in transracial and transcultural placements. Additionally, many of these students have experienced trauma or adversity in their early years, which can impact their learning and behavior in and outside of the classroom. Educators who are trained in adoption competence can implement trauma-informed practices, develop strategies for supporting their students with attachment issues, and create a safe and nurturing learning environment where they can thrive.

Be a Part of the System Change and Impact

By participating in the NTI-ED specialized training, school-based mental health professionals can use the tools provided in the training to support teachers and school administration with classroom management and education around how to better support students who are experiencing any of previously discussed feelings or struggles and foster better emotional and academic success. By fostering a deeper understanding of adoption-related issues, educators can ensure that all students, including those who have experienced adoption, foster care or kinship care, can reach their full potential.