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FROM OUR
CENTER DIRECTOR
Happy New Year!
While 2024 brought celebration of the SMART Center’s 10th anniversary and reflection on our amazing work throughout our first decade, we are now strategizing how to approach 2025 and the start of our second decade.
Do we tiptoe in, pausing to assess and observe the world around us, intending to pivot? Or, do we largely stay the course and march in with confidence, anticipating that our current research, training, and policy work are already on the right track?
SMART’s answer is to move forward with confidence with regard to our mission and focus while being prepared to pivot on how we accomplish our goals, if needed. Will funding streams change? Likely. Will we encounter curve balls? Absolutely. Without a doubt, though, our commitment to improving the mental health of youth in Washington State and beyond is steadfast.
Staying true to who we are as a center, you can now follow us on Blue Sky @smartctr.bsky.social instead of on X/Twitter. Join us and the conversation!
Read on for more information about our latest research, upcoming trainings, and policy priorities for 2025.
As always, feel free to reach out to our team at uwsmart@uw.edu.
Best Wishes,
Aaron Lyon, PhD
SMART Center Director
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Welcome to SMART Center,
Larissa Gaias, PhD
The SMART Center is pleased to welcome Larissa Gaias, PhD as
Acting Assistant Professor in the
UW Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences in the School
of Medicine.
Larissa will primarily work with
our Training and Technical
Assistance team.
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Welcome Undergraduate SMARTies
We're thrilled to introduce the incredible students in our 2024-2025 Undergraduate 499 Research Program! These students gain invaluable exposure to various projects, supporting school mental health & implementation science while taking on roles similar to Research Study Assistants.
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Our current faculty and staff.
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City of Seattle Makes Significant Additional Investment in Seattle Public Schools for Youth Mental Health
Smart Center to work with Public Health Seattle & King County to support
and train 21 new mental health providers and 21 new behavioral health coordinators for Seattle middle and high schools.
Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) currently manages the City’s health investments in the district’s School Based Health Centers. In response to the growing concerns around student mental health, the City of Seattle Office of Innovation and Performance conducted research and created a report with some summary recommendations for new investments in youth mental health. The City identified five key insights from stakeholders and recommendations to improve prevention, early intervention, and treatment for mental health challenges following the Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework:
1. Improve Awareness and Access to Existing Resources
2. Expand Mental Health Education, Destigmatization, and Early
Intervention Training
3. Expand Enrichment Programs that Address the Nature Deficit
4. Implement Proactive Screening and Referral in High Schools
5. Expand Access to Therapy (SMART Center focus)
With additional funding approved by Seattle City Council this year, PHSKC is addressing the recommendation to expand access to therapy in the School Based Health Centers. The SMART Center PHSKC Team (Dr. Elizabeth McCauley, Dr. Freda Liu, Dr. Kelly Whitaker, Dr. Megan Frye, Dr. Kristy Ludwig, Jodie Buntain-Ricklefs and Sofia Redondo) and the Seattle Children’s Hospital Consultation team have been working with PHSKC for many years on this initiative and will be supporting PHSKC with the fifth recommendation. New funds will support the hiring of an additional 21 Mental Health Providers in the SBHCs and 21 new School-Based Integrated Behavioral Health Care Coordinators (BHC) and this team will support consultation, training and evaluation efforts.
The BHCs will serve as the key liaison for students, families, and school and community-based staff/providers; coordinate student care; utilize evidence-based strategies to maximize clinical services; support client/family education and engagement; and provide culturally relevant care coordination.
Full implementation of these resources is expected in Fall 2025.
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SMART Center wins 2024 WASSW School Social Work Advocate of the Year Award
In October, the Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW) awarded the SMART Center its Distinguished Advocate of the Year award.
Michelle Sorensen, a WASSW board representative shared: SMART Center’s work represents a turning point in school social work in Washington State; a turning point where dedication to the social work profession and collaboration to better support youth have aligned to create lasting systemic change.
This award recognizes the incredible efforts of our Workforce for Student Well-being Initiative that is training new cohorts of school social workers for Washington’s highest-needs schools.
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Pictured left to right: Michelle Sorensen from the WASSW Leadership Coordinating Team, Kelcey Schmitz and Rachel Barrett from UW SMART Center. | |
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SMART Center Awards Six Golden Apples at 10th Anniversary Event
At the SMART Center 10th Anniversary Celebration this fall, we honored some of our remarkable colleagues and partners who have made significant contributions to youth mental health here in Washington State and beyond with Golden Apple Awards.
Photos in below order (top, then left to right):
Dr. Elizabeth McCauley, Lifetime Achievement Award
(Presented by Eric Bruns, PhD and Aaron Lyon, PhD, UW SMART Center)
Dr. Jeannie Larberg, District Partner Award
(Presented by Aaron Lyon, PhD, UW SMART Center)
Dr. Kurt Hatch, Boundary Breaker Award
(Presented by Kelcey Schmitz, MSEd, UW SMART Center)
Zack Siddeek, Community Partner Award
(Presented by Jill Locke, PhD, UW SMART Center)
Johnny Phu, District Partner Award
(Presented by Kelcey Schmitz, MSEd and Eric Bruns, PhD, UW SMART Center)
WA State Representative Lisa Callan, Legislative Champion Award (not pictured)
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New Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Initiative Cohort
WSW kicked off its second school social work cohort in October 2024 with 24 students. The following is a list of cohort members, the university they attend, and their practicum placement.
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Evian Adams - University of Washington, Seattle; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Rainier Beach High School
- Allison Baldridge - University of Washington, Seattle; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Broadview-Thomson K-8 School
- Clare Collins - University of Washington, Seattle; Practicum Placement: Edmonds School District - Lynndale Elementary School
- Lauryn Daniels - University of Washington, Seattle; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Rainier Beach High School
- Ezekiel Miller - University of Washington, Seattle; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - West Seattle High School
- Imahni Hawkins - University of Washington, Seattle; Practicum Placement: Bethel School District - Cedarcrest Middle School/ Frontier Middle School)
- Kathleen Barrett - Seattle University; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Salmon Bay K-8 School
- Ashley Christenson - Seattle University; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Interagency Academy
- Marie Kapelke-Biethan - Seattle University; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Broadview-Thomson K-8 School
- Ashley Pilling - Seattle University; Practicum Placement: Seattle Public Schools - Alki Elementary School, K-5
- Kriste Draper - Eastern Washington University; Practicum Placement: Spokane Public Schools
- Isaac Johnston - Eastern Washington University; Practicum Placement: Spokane Public Schools
- Elizabeth Palencia - Eastern Washington University; Practicum Placement: Spokane Public Schools
- Brianna Rhodes - Eastern Washington University; Practicum Placement: Spokane Public Schools
- Heather Thomas-Taylor - Eastern Washington University; Practicum Placement: Spokane Public Schools
- Vanessa Colmenares - University of Washington, Tacoma; Practicum Placement: Kent School District - East Hill Elementary
- Kaylee McEdward - University of Washington, Tacoma; Practicum Placement: South Kitsap School District
- Esmeralda Pedroza - Walla Walla University ; Practicum Placement: Walla Walla Public Schools
- Ares Alcantara - Walla Walla University; Practicum Placement: College Place School District - John Sager Middle School
- Stephanie Mendoza - Heritage University; Practicum Placement: Granger School District
- Delia Serna - Heritage University; Practicum Placement: Grandview School District - Grandview High School
- Yaritza Hernandez - Heritage University ; Practicum Placement: Granger School District
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Jocelyn Sanchez - Heritage University; Practicum Placement: Toppenish School District - Kirkwood Elementary
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Victoria Barajas - Heritage University; Practicum Placement: Kennewick School District
Watch this video below to learn more about WSW:
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SMARTies at Advancing School Mental Health Conference
In early December, 10 SMART Center faculty and staff flew to Orlando, Florida for the Advancing School Mental Health Conference. Aaron Lyon, PhD, Kat Bruzios, PhD and Eric Bruns, PhD shared research on “Evaluating the Usability of Social and Emotional Learning Programs.” Mari Meador and Rayann Silva presented on “Universal Social Emotional Behavioral Mental Health Screening: A State-wide Approach to Policy and Capacity.” Rayann Silva, Eric Bruns, PhD and partner Todd Crooks, Chad’s Legacy, showcased “Advancing Mental Health Education as Essential Learning: A Comprehensive Online Resource.”
Five Research Staff presented posters:
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Roger Goosey – “Characterizing Audit and Feedback in Schools: Exploring its Influence on Delivery of an Evidence-based Universal Prevention Program”
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Aislyn Gordon – "Preparing for Success: Does Preparedness Improve the Delivery of Positive Greetings at the Door?"
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Sofia Redondo – “Examining the Inner-Setting Barriers to Increase Access to Equitable Behavioral Health Care in King County School-Based Health Centers"
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Marissa Thirion – “Exploring School and District Personnel’s Definition and Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practices for Autistic Students”
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Taylor Ullrich – “Alignment of Self-Report and Observed Fidelity in a Universal School Behavior Intervention”
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Attending this conference enabled staff to learn about areas of school mental health outside the focus of their primary work. As a result, research staff learned about training and technical assistance topics while training and TA staff were enlightened about new research. Staff shared the following key takeaways:
- “Adult behavior change is a key component of prioritizing, or as Dr. Clay Cook called it, ’making space on your plate’ for supporting mental health services in schools.”
- “I learned how essential universal screening is for preventative services.”
- “I learned about the integration of different teams, such as mental health professionals, school staff, etc., to best serve student needs.”
- “Connecting with people, some familiar, some new, is always a highlight.”
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Reuniting SMARTies
Dr. Jill Locke recently reunited with former SMARTie Kristine Lee at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies conference.
Kristine, now in her 5th year as a clinical psychology graduate student, has made impressive strides in her academic journey.
Their reunion highlighted the ongoing impact of the SMART Center and the strong connections forged through shared goals and experiences.
It was a testament to the Center's
role in nurturing future leaders in
the field.
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Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference | |
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Priyanka Ghosh Choudhuri, showing a poster at the ABCT Conference in Philadelphia, PA on November 16, 2024.
Priyanka’s poster is on burnout solutions that supervisors and agencies can utilize with community mental health providers (CMHPs). Participants answered questions in a survey about how they would want their supervisor/agency to help reduce their burnout, and if that strategy was currently being used or not. The top 8 strategies were time off, self-care general, supervision sessions, manageable caseload, well-being check-ins, engaged supervisor, morale/team building, and flexible work arrangement (from highest to lowest frequency). Using the second question in the survey, we could see that supervision sessions (92%) and well-being check-ins (76%) were solutions that were being used by supervisors, while self-care-general (47%) and manageable caseload (37%) were highly underused.
Supervisors and agencies are more likely to use strategies that are most feasible given their existing time and resources, such as having supervision sessions and checking in on provider well-being. They are likely to not employ strategies that are outside of their control, for example, allowing for a more manageable caseload, due to productivity requirements and a very high need for mental health services. Therefore, promoting self-care among providers appears to be a highly desired, very underused, and potentially feasible strategy that supervisors can use to address provider burnout.
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JANUARY
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 20
January 20th marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Celebrate by honoring his legacy of justice, equality, and love and by continuing the fight for a better future for all.
> Talking About Equity in Action
> PBS NewsHour Classroom | MLK Jr. Resources for the classroom
> Frameworks for Teaching Grades 9-12
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FEBRUARY
Black History Month
The theme for 2025, “African Americans and Labor," focuses on the profound history and intersectionality of work and the Black experience in honor of the 100-year anniversary of labor organizer and civil rights activist, A. Philip Randolph’s, creation of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids, the first Black union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor.
> SMART Center’s NWMHTTC Resources - Anchored in our Roots
> Check out the ASALH’s events and resources around this theme
> National Museum of African American History & Culture
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National School Counseling Week | Feb. 3-7
This year's theme for National School Counseling Week is "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive." The American School Counselor Association has created promotional materials and a social media photo challenge to help celebrate the incredible impact that school counselors have in helping students achieve school success.
> Access Materials Here
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MARCH
Women's History Month
The National Women’s History Alliance presents the theme, “ Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations — both past and present.
> Women’s History Toolkit 2025
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National School Social Work Week | March 2-8
This is much-deserved recognition for the vital role that school social workers provide to students, administrators, teachers, educators, parents, and the community! Shout out to you amazing social workers!
> School Social Work Week Resources
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World Teen Mental Wellness Day | March 2
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day | March 7
> SAMHSA Resources
> 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
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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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The University of Washington ALACRITY RUBIES Study
The University of Washington 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.
Learn more about the project in this video (click on the image):
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Available: FREE Educator Training!
Does your K-5 public elementary school want to promote peer engagement at recess? Our new Remaking Recess study (called SPEER) aims to improve recess for autistic students and students who could benefit from social support!
Remaking Recess is a flexible, school-based social engagement intervention for autistic students and their peers. We work with school personnel to deliver Remaking Recess during recess. We tailor the program based on the needs of schools, students, and staff.
You can watch a video showcasing Remaking Recess below (click on the image): Interested to learn more? Email us at speer@uw.edu
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Registration Now Open
Asking IS Caring - Suicide Prevention Training for ESAs:
A new and innovative approach to doing this work in schools offered by the SMART Center.
This Washington State PESB-approved, three-hour training meets the suicide prevention training requirement. Washington State clock hours available.
Two Online Dates
Wednesday, January 29th - 9am-12pm OR Tuesday, February 25th - 4-7 pm
More Information and to register
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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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Implementation Science in School Mental Health: A 10 Year Progress Update and Development of a New Research Agenda
Lyon, A.R., Connors, E.H., Lawson, G.M. et al. Implementation Science in School Mental Health: A 10-Year Progress Update and Development of a New Research Agenda. School Mental Health 16, 1013–1037 (2024).
Changes in Youth Mental Health Following a School Lockdown due to Violent and Firearm-Related Threats
Hullenaar, K.L., Fisher, B.W., Zatzick, D.F. and Rivara, F.P. (2025), Changes in Youth Mental Health Following a School Lockdown due to Violent and Firearm-Related Threats. J Sch Health.
🎬 Watch this > video for key takeaways from Dr. Keith Hullenaar's
latest study on "Changes in Youth Mental Health Following
a School Lockdown," published in the Journal of School Health.
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UPCOMING EVENTS FEATURING SMART | |
SMART CREATED & CURATED RESOURCES | |
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The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center ended on September 29, 2024 as the national SAMHSA project and regional networks was discontinued. All of the NWMHTTC resources, recordings, toolkits and more are now available through the SMART Center website at no cost to you.
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The US Department of Education (DOE) guidance on using functional behavior assessments and behavioral intervention (BIPs) plans to avoid exclusionary discipline and support greater student inclusion, belonging and access to learning at school.
> Read the Guidance
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The Washington State Educational Staff Associates (ESA) Behavioral Health Coalition (BHC) recently updated the ESA Behavioral Health Professionals’ Roles Specific to Social and Emotional Health and Wellness document. The document was originally published in 2016 and was updated in 2022. The current version was released in October 2024 and provides descriptions of roles across all three tiers of an MTSS framework including school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, behavior analysts, special-language pathologists and occupational therapists.
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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. | | | | |
