School Screening Readiness Report

Abstract

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration highlighted the impact that early detection of emotional and behavioral health concerns can have on quality of life for children and adults in a 2019 report. Illinois has taken this call to action seriously by planning a phased implementation approach to universal mental health screening for all K-12 students in Illinois. This School Screening Readiness Report is the next step to guide a phased approach to universal mental health screening of all K-12 students enrolled in Illinois school districts. It identifies five key domains of readiness for universal mental health screening derived from the results of a readiness survey (Policies, Operations, Culture and Awareness, Partnership and Capacity, and Engagement and Communications) and reflects upon the significant variation that currently exists among districts in terms of their readiness in each of those domains. It then articulates three recommended phases for implementation of universal mental health screening in schools that take into account this variation in readiness and other feasibility considerations. Finally, it reviews existing mental health resources and services and those in development, along with implementation support that will be provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in areas of governance and oversight and policy guidance. It concludes with a timeline for implementation of universal mental health screening in all school districts by the end of the 2027-28 school year.