Davie County Schools presents five-year school-based mental health plan; board to vote in September

Davie County Schools staff on Tuesday previewed a draft five-year school-based mental health plan that implements recent state requirements and expands local screening, threat assessment and staff training; the school board will receive the plan for action at its September meeting.

The plan — developed by district student-services staff and MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) leads — is intended to align district practice with state mandates such as House Bill 605 and session law 2019-245 and to formalize local procedures for suicide screening, threat assessment teams and ongoing staff training.

"We completed 91 screeners last year in our school district. Out of those, 28 did turn into a formal threat assessment that was completed," said Jennifer Custer, the presenter for the district’s student-services/MTSS team. "Thankfully, most of those screeners are screened out, which leads to good conversation with our parents and engagement with community supports."

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