Wake County schools detail annual school-based mental health plan, report incremental SEL gains

Wake County Public Schools staff presented the district’s annual school-based mental health plan at the September board meeting and reported incremental progress on social-emotional learning measures while outlining ongoing implementation steps and remaining gaps.

The presentation, led by “Mister Pesch,” outlined components the district submitted to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), including early intervention, screening and referral, suicide-risk protocols and stakeholder engagement. “This is our fifth time that we've come to you to talk about the school mental health plan that began after its passage in school law in 2020,” Mister Pesch said.

Board members and staff framed the plan as part of the district strategic priority on student dispositions and well‑being and described measurable outputs and the partnerships that support services in schools.

District staff said they submitted the district’s Healthy Active Children report to NCDPI in September and that the plan will require a board approval when a five‑year revision is prepared. The presentation highlighted several preventive and early‑intervention programs: Second Step classroom lessons, check‑in/check‑out tier‑2/3 behavior supports, Teen Mental Health First Aid piloted in an alternative school, and a required youth mental health training for counseling and student support staff.

Staff described the Say Something anonymous…