ICYMI: Building Collaborative Partnerships with the Community
Reported by Kara DohmanPanelists: Kristin Schmidt, Director of Social Emotional Learning, Crystal Lake CCSD47; Melissa Katz, Ed.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Ascension Health/Mental Health Board; Abbey Nicholas, Executive Director, NAMI McHenry County; Brenda Napholz, President and Founder, The Break Teen Center
Christine Smith, Director of Social Emotional Learning for Crystal Lake CCSD 47, began the Building Collaborative Partnerships with the Community panel by highlighting the critical role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in improving student outcomes. Backed by data, Smith stressed the necessity of proactive mental health initiatives and attributed her district’s success to a $5.6 million school-based mental health grant, which funded 11 mental health practitioners focused on preventative care.
Smith emphasized SEL as a core component of education rather than an ancillary one noting that SEL offers a substantial return on investment, approximately $11 for every $1 spent. As the sole social worker on her administrative team, Smith challenged traditional leadership models by advocating for multidisciplinary collaboration, driving initiatives that address both immediate student needs and broader systemic issues.
Panelists expanded on the themes by showcasing innovative approaches to mental health and community engagement. Abby Nicholas, Executive Director of NAMI McHenry County, outlined several community-based initiatives: QPR Suicide Prevention Training, NAMI Ending the Silence, and Peer-to-Peer Clubs to foster peer support networks.
Brendan Apples, Executive Director of the Brave Teen Center, shared details about a suspension program which offers structured support for students removed from school. It includes supervised academic sessions via Google Classroom, counseling sessions led by recovery coaches, and mentorship opportunities.
Melissa Katz, a licensed clinical psychologist, discussed her work in connecting clinical services with school systems. Key initiatives included expedited referrals to outpatient care, on-demand clinical consultations for school staff, and parent education sessions.
The panelists acknowledged challenges in scaling mental health programs, including funding constraints, limited staff capacity, and cultural resistance. However, they proposed actionable solutions such as piloting small-scale initiatives, partnering with local organizations to expand resources, and advocating for administrative and board support to implement creative mental health strategies. Smith concluded the session by urging educational leaders to adopt innovative approaches, embedding SEL into district leadership and fostering a culture that prioritizes behavioral health. “Our children are in crisis,” she remarked, “They need us to respond with urgency, creativity, and compassion.”
Key action steps for districts include implementing peer-to-peer programs like NAMI Ending the Silence, creating referral pathways for community-based mental health services, developing suspension alternatives with counseling and mentorship, integrating SEL into strategic planning and professional development, and fostering partnerships with aligned organizations. By leveraging community collaborations, District 47 has shown that schools can serve as both centers for learning and catalysts for well-being. As districts nationwide face post-pandemic challenges, these insights provide a valuable framework for fostering resilience and success in schools.
Kara Dohman is Principal at Lincoln Elementary School and at the time of the Conference was Principal at Ardmore Elementary School, both in Addison SD 4. ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) features panel reports from the 2024 Joint Annual Conference. Reporters are participants in the Educational Administration Intern program, a collaboration of IASB and the Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Administration.