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.
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Click here to learn about how our district supports students!
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 reduce triggers, support emotional 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 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.
- What is the BIMAS-2?
- What is the purpose of the BIMAS-2?
- What questions does the BIMAS-2 ask?
- How does the screening process work?
- What happens to the results of the BIMAS-2?
- What if I don't want my student(s) to complete the BIMAS-2?
- I opted my student out in the past, but would like them to take future screenings. How do I opt back in?
- Who do I contact for additional information?
What is the BIMAS-2?
The BIMAS-2 (Behavioral Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-2nd Edition) is a measure that is useful for universal screening, progress monitoring, outcome assessment, and program evaluation. It includes 34 (36 on the 4-year-old 4K version) brief questions that look at common behavioral concerns (Conduct, Negative Affect, Cognitive/Attention) as well as adaptive behaviors (Social/Communication, Academic Functioning). It also measures Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies such as Self Awareness, Social Awareness, Self Management, Relationships, and Responsible Decision Making. It was designed for students in grades 4K-12.
What is the purpose of the BIMAS-2?
One part of our District's Continuous Improvement Plan is Student Mental Well-Being. To enhance our support system in this area, we are using the BIMAS-2 as a universal mental well-being screening tool. This tool will provide valuable information for developing more effective whole-school, classroom, and individual intervention plans, with parental input and permission as needed. Please note that the BIMAS-2 is a proactive screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. It is designed to identify students who may benefit from additional support but cannot diagnose conditions or be used to prescribe medication.
What questions does the BIMAS-2 ask?
To view the questions on the teacher rating form for 4K students who are 4 years old, click HERE.
To view the questions on the teacher rating form for 4K students who are 5 years old and students in grades K-5, click HERE.
To view the questions on the student rating form for students in grades 6-12, click HERE.
How does the screening process work?
During the 2024-2025 school year, the screening will be completed by the student's classroom teacher for students in 4K-4, and the screening will be completed by the students in grades 7 and 9. We will continue to expand the screening process to more grade levels over time. This universal screening is part of our ongoing process to monitor and support our students' mental well-being.
Prior to each screening, teachers and students who will be completing the screening will receive information about the BIMAS-2 to understand its contents and process. Students in grades 7 and 9 will receive instructions from their homeroom/Flex teachers on how to complete the screening. The BIMAS-2 is estimated to take 5-10 minutes to complete.
On the day of the screening, if it is reported that a student has had thoughts of harming themselves, a staff member will contact the student individually and confidentially to ensure their safety. Students' parent/guardians would then be notified via phone call by a student services staff member who will connect with you to discuss possible next steps and resources for you to consider.
If a student in grades 7 or 9 is absent on the day of the screening, they will have an opportunity to complete the screening on a designated makeup day, given that both student and their parent/guardian consent.
What happens to the results of the BIMAS-2?
Students' results are stored in the BIMAS-2 system, where administration, student services, and SROs can access the data. Teachers of grades 4K-5 can see their class' results if they complete the screening for them. Teachers of grades 6-12 cannot see individual responses but may see a summary of their students' results. If parents would like to receive information regarding their student's screening results, they can request results by sending an email to kasdstudentservices@kaukaunasd.org.
What if I don't want my student(s) to complete the BIMAS-2?
All students are automatically included in the screening unless they are opted out by a parent/guardian or opt out themselves (for students in grades 6-12). Although we aim to address the needs of as many students as possible through this screening, participation is completely voluntary.
You will receive information via email and text when a screening is to occur. If you prefer not to have your student(s) participate, please fill out the Opt-Out form linked on the electronic letter you receive by the deadline stated on the letter. Once you opt your student(s) out, they will remain opted out unless you choose to opt them back in. To re-enroll your student(s) in the screening, please email kasdstudentservices@kaukaunasd.org with the name(s) of your student(s).
I opted my student out in the past, but would like them to take future screenings. How do I opt back in?
To re-enroll your student(s) in the screening, please email kasdstudentservices@kaukaunasd.org with the name(s) of your student(s).
Who do I contact for additional information?
Reach out to a member of the student services team from your student's school at Student Services, or email the District Office at kasdstudentservices@kaukaunasd.org.
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. |
Click here if you are looking for resources for your family!
Click here if you are looking for resources in our community!
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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