Mental Well-Being
Student Mental Well-Being refers to the overall state of students' psychological and emotional health. It encompasses various factors, including their ability to cope with stress, manage emotions, maintain healthy relationships, and adapt to academic and social challenges. Key components of Student Mental Well-Being include emotional regulation, coping skills, social connectedness, self-esteem, and resilience.
Student Supports
KASD supports Student Mental Well-Being through an Equitable Multi-Level System of Support (EMLSS) framework that is designed to provide consistent practices within and across grade levels and schools. In this system, schools provide various types of support at differing levels of intensity to proactively and responsively adjust to student needs.
Tier 1: Universal Instruction
Designed to support all students in a classroom setting
- Universal Classroom Practices
- Trauma-Sensitive Approach
- Social Emotional Learning
- Sources of Strength
- Universal Screening
Universal Classroom Practices
Universal Classroom Practices (UCPs) are schoolwide strategies that each of our schools have in place to create safe and supportive environments. These strategies include consistent routines, clear expectations, positive reinforcement, visual reminders, peer collaboration, regulation spaces, relationship-building activities, and more.
By using these strategies across all classrooms, we help students feel valued, connected, and ready to learn. They reduce stress, support emotional regulation, and promote a sense of belonging - all of which are essential for their mental well-being and academic success.
Trauma-Sensitive Approach
Each of our schools are considered to be Trauma-Sensitive, or Trauma-Informed, which means that we recognize that some students have experienced stressful or difficult life events that can impact how they learn, behave, and connect with others.
Trauma-sensitive strategies include providing staff training on how trauma affects the brain, creating calm and predictable environments, and utilizing intentional strategies, like an empathetic approach, to build trusting relationships. By being mindful of the effects of trauma, we support emotional safety and healing and create a culture of care where students are safe, better able to learn, and become resilient.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of helping students learn and develop essential skills to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, make responsible decisions, and succeed academically.
In our district, SEL is woven into daily learning and school culture. We use several research-based programs to support our students - CharacterStrong, Leader in Me, and Conscious Discipline. These programs share a common purpose: to help students grow into kind, confident, and capable individuals.
Sources of Strength
Sources of Strength is an evidence-based suicide prevention program that our secondary schools, River View Middle School and Kaukauna High School, utilize. It is a peer-led program that trains student leaders to spread messages of strength by sharing healthy coping strategies and encouraging their peers to seek help and support when needed.
It focuses on empowering youth to build protective factors that increase help-seeking behaviors and foster a positive school culture where students feel connected, hopeful, and more resilient in facing challenges.
Universal Screening
Just like we do with health, vision, hearing, and academic screenings, we administer a mental well-being screening tool to help identify the social and emotional needs and strengths of our students. The screener consists of a brief online rating scale, known as the BIMAS-2 (Behavioral Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-2nd Edition), that is either completed by the students or the teachers, depending on the grade level.
Tier 2: Targeted Instruction
Designed for students who need additional support
Differentiated and Small Group Instruction
Differentiated and Small Group Instruction provides targeted support by tailoring social emotional learning strategies to meet students' individual needs, ensuring they receive the right level of support and guidance to grow, connect, and thrive.
We offer focused, short-term group support for students who may be experiencing challenges such as anxiety, friendship conflicts, emotional regulation, low self-esteem, and more. These evidence-based groups typically include a small number of students working on similar skills in a supportive setting. We seek parent/guardian permission before students participate to make sure families are informed and involved in decisions that impact their child's well-being. These small groups create a safe, welcoming space where students can share experiences, learn and build coping skills, and feel supported by both peers and trusted adults.
Tier 3: Intensive Instruction
Designed to provide individualized and intensive support for students
Triumph Program
The Triumph Program is a collaborative initiative between the Kaukauna, Kimberly, and Little Chute Area School Districts. It integrates educational services with on-site mental health support to assist high school students (grades 9–12) in achieving academic success while addressing mental health challenges.
The program offers a structured environment where students receive individualized academic instruction alongside evidence-based mental health services. Referrals are typically made through your child's school counselor, who can provide more information and help determine if the program is a good fit.
PATH Counseling Program
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The United Way's PATH (Providing Access to Healing) Program is a school-based counseling service that offers students the opportunity to receive counseling services directly within the school setting. The program's goal is to improve access to mental health services for children and youth experiencing barriers to care in the community. Once a parent/guardian completes the required consent forms, licensed mental health professionals can work with students during the school day to help address emotional challenges and support overall well-being and academic success. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact your child's school counselor. |
Family Resources
Community Resources
Care Solace
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Our district has partnered with Care Solace - a complimentary and confidential care coordination service designed to connect students, staff, families, and community members to mental health and substance use services. Key Features:
You can access Care Solace by:
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