It Really Does Take a Village

Reporter: Robert A. Hauge III, Ed.D., University of St. Francis 

Panelists: Kristin Schmidt, Director of Social Emotional Learning, Crystal Lake CCSD 47, Shauna Becker, Clinical Lead, Crystal Lake CCSD 47, Casey Cosgrove, District Liaison, Daybreak Health 

Moderator: Alex Alvarado, CEO, Daybreak Health 

Mental health continues to be the most pressing concern for students, with clear and measurable impacts on academic performance. In this session, panelists from Crystal Lake CCSD 47 shared how their district has engaged in an innovative partnership with Daybreak Health, recognizing that addressing students’ mental health needs is not a challenge any single district can manage alone. 

Daybreak Health, which currently partners with over 150 districts nationwide including more than 15 in Illinois, provides scalable support tailored to the unique needs of each district. Panelists emphasized that districts vary widely in size, staffing, and available resources, and effective partnerships meet schools where they are rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution.  Kristin Schmidt and Shauna Becker, both social workers, highlighted how the landscape of school-based mental health services has evolved. Schmidt, with over 30 years of experience, recalled a time when mental health support was largely restricted to students with IEPs or 504 plans. Today, districts can engage in more informed conversations about what is possible to support all students. 

A key feature of the Daybreak partnership is direct parental access. Parents can refer their children for services, ensuring students receive timely support without being limited by traditional barriers such as insurance, availability, or staffing constraints. This approach allows district social workers to focus resources on students with the highest needs, while Daybreak covers additional support for other students, effectively extending the district’s capacity. 

The panelists also discussed how the partnership aligns with a multi-tiered approach to social-emotional learning. Districts often employ Tier I programs, such as Character Strong or Second Step, to address universal SEL needs. Tier II interventions, which require more individualized attention, are where Daybreak becomes an essential partner. Through the Daybreak online portal, social workers have complete access to student information, enabling coordinated care and reducing administrative burdens. Becker noted that Daybreak removes stress for families, providing immediate access to care with a personal point of contact, rather than an impersonal 800 number system. The partnership also addresses equity by ensuring no student is without access to mental health services, including family therapy available in 14 languages. 

Data shared during the session demonstrated significant outcomes: students receiving support through Daybreak attended an average of 12 more days per year and experienced a 50% reduction in disciplinary incidents. The program is financially flexible as well, with a no-cost option available for districts considering implementation. Daybreak serves districts of all sizes, even those with as few as 13 students, illustrating the adaptability of this collaborative model. 

The session concluded with a reminder that mental health support, like school safety, is a shared responsibility. By leveraging partnerships, districts can expand capacity, remove barriers, and ensure that all students receive the care they need. As Cosgrove noted, “It really does take a village to meet the social-emotional needs of our students.”