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Spring greetings,
In my last newsletter message, I mentioned that we anticipated some curveballs coming our way in the new year but I’m not sure that we expected such a bombardment.
While we await news about the future of federal research sponsors and court actions surrounding proposed reductions to indirect costs on Federal awards (which fund the essential infrastructure at UW and at universities across the country), we are moving forward with our current research and training as planned. Simultaneously, we have picked up momentum around our state-level policy work.
Elevated to crisis status during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth mental health continues to demand better coordinated resources and broader intervention accessibility for students. The 2024 State of Mental Health in America Report shows Washington State is ranked 48th in the nation for youth mental health. This is down from 40th last year and 29th in 2016.
The SMART Center is advocating for policies that support coordinating resources to deliver more robust supports to students during Washington’s current legislative session.
As many know, the State is experiencing a budget deficit, which will likely impede implementation of any new initiatives that require funding.
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Source: Children’s Alliance
However, no matter what happens federally or locally, we will work within our power and resources to support the youth of Washington State and beyond. We know we are not alone in these efforts, and appreciate so many of you for working alongside us every day on this same goal.
In this issue, we share ways for you to engage with our latest research, access trainings and obtain resources to support your work in school communities. I invite you to share them with your colleagues and to get in touch with me or any of my SMART colleagues if you have any inquiries.
Wishing you the best in the final months of the school year and a wonderful summer. And, as always, feel free to reach out to our team at uwsmart@uw.edu.
Best Wishes,
Aaron Lyon, PhD
SMART Center Director
PS Please follow us on Bluesky @smartctr.bsky.social and join us in the conversation on school mental health!
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Podcast Listen | PBISApps
In PBISApps Episode 46: "Creating Equitable PBIS Solutions that Work for All Students", our Implementation Coach Mari Meador shares her expertise on creating equitable PBIS solutions for everyone. She discusses how to identify culturally responsive interventions and build strategies for community and family collaboration. Mari also talks with PBISApps's Megan Cave and Danielle Triplett about the crucial role of mental health screenings in schools and how they serve as a powerful foundation within any multi-tiered system of support.
Tune in below for valuable insights on transforming your schoolwide community!
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The Workforce for Student Well-being Initiative (WSW) is actively recruiting members for the Year 3 cohort. Please spread the word to any interested, diverse and committed applicants.
WSW is a collaborative effort between the UW SMART Center and School of Social Work, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Washington Association of School Social Workers.
The program offers financial support, academic mentoring, and professional development opportunities for second year MSW students in Washington state who are committed to working as social workers in high-need public schools or tribal schools for at least two years following graduation.
Interested students can find more information and application materials on the WSW Website.
The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025.
Watch this > video below to learn more about WSW:
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New Podcast | Championing Change: Elevating Youth Voices in Justice
“My research focuses on evidence-based strategies to prevent youth and school violence through positive development, and this project is a direct reflection of that mission. Strengthening young people’s social bonds, fostering connections with prosocial peers, and equipping them with marketable skills for a competitive job market all contribute to reducing violence. This initiative is just the beginning—I’m committed to expanding it as far as possible to ensure lasting impact.”
-Dr. Keith Hullenaar, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at SMART Center and Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center
The Empowering Youth Justice Outreach Project (EYJO) podcast provides a platform for students to share their personal stories and champion changes in the legal system. Backed by organizations such as the University of Washington’s (UW) Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (HIPRC), the Academy for Creating Excellence, King County, WA Executive Office, and the UW Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity, this initiative united community members, collaborators, and advocates to elevate youth perspectives on justice reform.
Listen > to the podcast & learn more
Powerful stories, real change —hear their voices and join the movement for change!
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Breaking Down Barriers: Supporting Youth After Violent Injuries
Violent injuries can leave lasting effects, especially for adolescents and young adults. Timely medical care is vital—not just for physical injuries and prevention but also to address psychological needs. Yet, many young survivors face barriers like financial costs, lack of awareness, or stigma, delaying essential care.
Hear directly from Dr. Keith Hullenaar, lead researcher, as he discusses the findings in the > video below. Let’s bridge gaps and build better support systems for young survivors.
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In January, Kelcey Schmitz, SMART Director of Training and TA, co-presented with the Anchorage School District and Muldoon Elementary School on Building Bridges: Integrating Mental Health and PBIS for Holistic Student Support at the 2025 Alaska MTSS/RTI Conference held at the Dena'ina Center in downtown Anchorage.
The session focused on equipping school leaders, teachers, and support staff with the essential knowledge and skills to begin integrating mental health services and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in their schools.
The Muldoon Elementary Care Bear Team, including a mental health clinician from Anchorage Community Mental Health Center, shared their journey integrating mental health and PBIS, providing real-world insights.
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2025 APBS Conference March 12-15 in St. Louis
Together Towards Tomorrow: Uniting PBS Across the Lifespan
One of the highlights of attending APBS this year was getting to present our session on Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS) — a proactive approach to supporting students' well-being within an MTSS framework.
Panelists from California and Washington shared innovative strategies and insights on statewide UMHS policies shaping equitable, preventative mental health support for all students.
Thank you to our speakers: Kelcey Schmitz (University of Washington SMART Center), Larissa Gaias (University of Washington SMART Center), Stephanie Moore (University of California, Riverside), Kali Patterson (California Behavioral Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission) and Alice Amaya (Pasco School District).
Together, we're working toward a brighter, more supportive future for students everywhere.
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We also had an inspiring moment celebrating excellence in Positive Behavior Support!
Another huge congratulations to our Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Kelcey Schmitz, for receiving the 2025 Ted Carr Practitioner Award for her outstanding achievements in mentorship, service, and commitment to PBS principles!
We also applaud Aaron R. Campbell, PhD (UW SMART RIISE fellow), Assistant Professor, Mizzou: College of Education & Human Development (University of Missouri), and Maria Reina Santiago-Rosario, PhD, NCSP, Research Associate, University of Oregon, for receiving the 2025 Ted Carr Initial Research Award—recognizing their promising and impactful work in the field of PBS.
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APRIL
Autism Acceptance Month | World Autism Awareness Day | April 2
This month we #CelebrateDifferences and neurodiversity by committing to support, understand, accept, include, and empower autistic people.
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MAY
Mental Health Awareness Month
While mental health is always in the news and on our minds these days, this month we focus on ending the stigma attached to mental illness, working to expand the mental health workforce, and educating communities about accessing mental health supports.
This year's theme is “Turn Awareness into Action,” to reflect the commitment to creating a world where mental health is prioritized for all.
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School Nurse Day | May 7
On this day, we honor school nurses and the critical role they play not only in attending to the physical health of our children, but also their mental health. Nurses are an essential part of building a comprehensive system of mental health support in schools.
Thank you for all you do!
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Teacher Appreciation Week | May 5-9
This week we honor the superheroes of our schools - teachers! Thank you for everything you do to educate our children, helping them to realize their full potential.
We appreciate you!
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI)
Throughout May, we celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. for their many contributions made over generations and for their continued offerings that build on the beauty and diversity of our country.
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JUNE
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
In June, we honor those who participated in the 1969 Stonewall uprising in NYC, which kicked off a movement to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. The month is marked by colorful celebrations – most notably parades.
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Juneteenth | June 19
Juneteenth or Freedom Day commemorates the freeing of all enslaved people in the United States by Executive Proclamation and recognizes the Black community’s ongoing struggle for equality to this day. It is a reminder of our painful history and an opportunity to celebrate resilience in the face of that pain.
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New Study: USABILITY
Receive a digital gift card (students $200, teachers $250) for completing all study activities.
The SMART Center is conducting a research study called “USABILITY” to evaluate how appealing SEL programs are and how easy (or hard) they are to implement.
We are asking elementary general education teachers (K-6) and students (4-6) to complete virtual testing of two (2) SEL programs and to share feedback as well as complete brief surveys.
Participants will complete a virtual session lasting approximately 2 hours (teachers can split between two sessions, if desired).
If you are an elementary school teacher or parent/guardian of an elementary school student, please contact usability@uw.edu for any questions about participation.
Please see the project webpage here > for more information.
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The University of Washington ALACRITY RUBIES Study
The UW ALACRITY Center is conducting a research study to learn how we can help educators better support autistic children who exhibit challenging behaviors in elementary schools. This study will evaluate two different ways for educators to learn a behavioral intervention called RUBIES (Research Units in Behavioral Interventions for Educational Settings), which teaches educators how to use evidence-based behavioral strategies to better support their autistic students in the classroom, and to respond more effectively when challenging behaviors occur.
RUBIES is a school-based adaptation of RUBI, which has been widely used in clinic settings and has shown significant improvements in reducing challenging behavior in autistic children (and stress in parents).
Learn more about the RUBIES study by watching our informational > video (or click on the image below).
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If you are an educator or parent of an autistic student and are interested in participating, please reach out to the study team at rubies@uw.edu.
Please note: RUBIES enrollment for this school year will be closing at the end of March, but we will also be enrolling for next school year.
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FREE | Inclusive Recess Training for Educators
Looking to enhance peer interactions during recess at your K-5 public elementary school? The Remaking Recess program, as part of the SPEER study, offers an evidence-based approach to improving social engagement for autistic students and peers needing social support. This flexible, school-based intervention works collaboratively with school personnel to tailor strategies to the specific needs of students and staff.
Developed by the Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health (AIR-B), Remaking Recess equips educators, parents, and advocates with practical steps, resources, and videos to foster meaningful social connections
at school.
Watch our > video showcasing the program. Email speer@uw.edu to get started today and create a more inclusive, engaging recess for all students!
Visit: https://www.remakingrecess.org/ for more information.
Please help us spread the word, share the flyer below (click image to download the full flyer).
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Participate in UW College of Education’s iBESTT Tool Study
A team of University of Washington College of Education researchers, led by Carol Davis, PhD, is looking for schools interested in helping us test the effectiveness of an online app — iBESTT. The app helps school teams and teachers collaborate to develop and implement positive behavior supports in the classroom.
Participants will receive free training and ongoing support related to individualized behavior interventions and free access to a collaboration app designed by educators and researchers.
See the flyer or email ibesttstudy@uw.edu to learn more.
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Brief Intervention for School Clinicians (BRISC)
BRISC is a research-based, engagement, assessment, brief intervention and triage strategy for mental health practitioners working in middle and high schools. To meet the overwhelming demand for BRISC training and support, a web-based self-paced BRISC e-learning with implementation supports is now available to license by districts, communities or individual practitioners.
For more information contact us at brisc@uw.edu.
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Locke, J., Sridhar, A., Shih, W., Shire, S., Eisman, A.B., Kim, E., Du, A., Espeland, C., & Kasari, C. (2025). Study protocol for a hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial of a team-based implementation strategy to support educators’ use of a social engagement intervention. Implementation Science.
Locke, J., Corbin, C., Goosey, R., Collins, V., Ehrhart, M.G., Hatch, K., Espeland, C., & Lyon, A.R. (2025). Not getting better but not getting worse: A cluster randomized controlled pilot trial of a leadership implementation strategy. Implementation Research and Practice.
Dickson, K., Michael, O., Drahota, A., Sridhar, A., Tschida, J., & Locke, J. (in press). Applying the Cognitive Walkthrough for Implementation Strategies methodology to inform the redesign of a selection-quality implementation toolkit for use in schools. Implementation Science Communications.
Cohen, K. A., Bruns, E. J., & Schleider, J. L. (2025). Debate: Where to next for universal school-based mental health interventions? Tensions in prevention - To build better school-based programming, we must start with what we know. Child and adolescent mental health. The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
Hullenaar, Keith L., Rivara, Frederick P. (2025). Health Care and Victim Services Use After Adolescent Violent Injuries, 1993-2023. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Bruns, E.J., Lee, Pullmann, Liu, Jones, Zulauf-McCurdy, C., Serafin, M., Reyes, R., Chandler, C., & McCauley, E.M. (2025). Self-Reported Problems of Adolescents Seeking or Referred to School Mental Health Services. School Mental Health. Springer Nature.
IN PRESS - COMING SOON
Soon, K., Suter, J.C., Linkous, O., Davis, Carol A., & Bruns, E.J. (in press). Adapting Community-Based Wraparound for Use as an Intensive Intervention in Schools. Journal of Positive Behavior Supports.
Locke, J., Du, A., Michael, O., Shih, W., Wolf, K., Kim, E., Yu, J., Cooney, D., & Kasari, C. (under review). Does participation matter: The implications of educator participation in virtual Remaking Recess coaching on self-rated fidelity. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation.
Du, A., Michael, O., Shih, W., Wolf, K., Kim, E., Cooney, D., Kasari, C., Mendell, D., & Locke, J. Does participation matter: The implications of educator participation in virtual-based Remaking Recess coaching on self-rated fidelity [Poster presentation accepted]. Poster presentation at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA. April 30 - May 3, 2025.
| | UPCOMING EVENTS FEATURING SMART | | |
UPCOMING CONFERENCES IN SEATTLE
Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Research Summit | April 21
Includes SMART Center faculty Elizabeth McCauley, PhD; Maggie Sibley, PhD; Freda Liu, PhD, Aaron Lyon, PhD.
INSAR 2025 Pre-Conference Event
Taking Care of Each Other: Creating Systems of Care | April 30
Co-Chaired by SMART Center Faculty Jill Locke, PhD
Washington State Mental Health Summit | May 13
Society for Prevention Research 2025 Annual Meeting | May 27-30
Includes SMART Center Faculty Larissa Gaias, PhD
STATE/REGIONAL EVENTS
Northwest PBIS - Better Together: Transforming Schools with Integrated MTSS | April 23-25
Portland, OR
Northwest ESD 189 Equity Conference | May 3
Anacortes WA
AWSP/WASA Conference 2025 - Leadership for a New Era | June 22-24
Spokane, WA
Integrated MTSS Conference | Save the Date: July 30-August 1
Wenatchee, WA
ESD 105 Leadership Summit: Better Together Conference | August 6-7
Yakima, WA
ESD 189 2025 School Safety and Wellness Symposium: Addressing School Climate | August 12-13
Anacortes, WA
NATIONAL EVENTS
National PBIS Leadership Forum | Registration Opening Soon | October 21-23
Chicago, IL
Training Institutes 2025 - Building a World Where Young People Thrive
| July 8-10
National Harbor, Maryland
Presenting will be our Wraparound Evaluation & Research and Workforce for Student Well-being Initiative Teams
| | SMART CREATED & CURATED RESOURCES | | |
Enhancing Social Emotional and Behavioral (SEB) Support: A Practical Guide for Selecting and Implementing SEB Programs within a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) Framework
This guide provides recommendations for school systems who are implementing SEB programs within a PBIS framework and includes alignment strategies for school and district teams, considerations to support high quality implementation that connect to PBIS practices and offers specific steps for integration.
The SMART Center teamed up with national partners and the Center on PBIS to create the guide. Shout out to our Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Rayann Silva for her contributions to this framework.
> View Guide here
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2024 Mental Health in America Report
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of mental health prevalence and access to care across the U.S., ranking states based on 15 key measures to highlight areas of progress and concern.
> Read Full Report here
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The School Mental Health Report Card 2025
This report evaluates state-level progress in implementing policies that support school-based mental health services, highlighting areas of improvement and offering recommendations to address the ongoing youth mental health crisis.
> View Full Report Card or a > Snapshot of WA State
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The UW SMART Center specializes in promoting high-quality, culturally-responsive programs to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. Stay informed and inspired by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter.
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