Georgia's MTSS News

The units supported within the Office of Whole Child Supports include, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Integrated Wellness​, School Safety, and now Georgia's Tiered System of Supports for Students.

“Aligning the work of Georgia’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) with Whole Child Supports is an ideal opportunity to broaden the scope of work and collaboratively demonstrate how varied tiered supports for students can be provided through academics, behavior, and connectedness and wellbeing," said Program Manager Karen Suddeth.

The Office of Whole Child Supports assists districts, schools, and communities in identifying and addressing student non-academic barriers to success while expanding learning opportunities. "Our mission is to ensure all students feel safe, healthy, supported, challenged , and engaged," said Ashley Harris, Director, Whole Child Supports & Strategic Partnerships.

For more information, visit www.gadoe.org/wholechild.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the second leading cause of injury death and the eleventh overall leading cause of death in Georgia between 1999-2001. Identifying risk factors that could make someone more likely to consider or attempt to take their life is important to prevent suicide. The Office of Whole Child Supports is part of a larger network of educational leaders raising awareness and creating suicide prevention supports and resources. The Office's mission is to support teachers and leaders to become partners in youth suicide prevention.

"Teachers play a critical role in a school's suicide prevention plan by referring students at risk to appropriate professionals," said Cheryl Benefield, Ed.S., Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, "providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others."

Learn more about the warning signs and risk factors for suicidality in our new Suicide Prevention Course, launching in September at the Office of Whole Child Supports webpage.

For more information, email wholechild@doe.k12.ga.us​. Find us on Twitter @GaDOEWholeChild​ for updates.