Challenge

In the southern reaches of Door County, Wisconsin, a school district faced a daunting challenge. With limited resources and a high prevalence of trauma and low socio-economic status among its students, the district was struggling to provide the support its students desperately needed. Dave Desmond, the Director of Pupil Services, knew that something had to change.

Solution

Dave reached out to CCSI, seeking their expert guidance and training. He recognized that the staff needed comprehensive support to address the mental health and trauma-related needs of their students. The collaboration with CCSI marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the district.

CCSI, with its wealth of experience, stepped in and provided a range of services. They offered a poverty simulation and their Trauma, Illness, and Grief (TIG) curriculum to help meet student and staff needs that can arise from trauma and crisis. The Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) component of TIG equipped participants to manage more significant crises with evidence-based interventions. Amy Scheel-Jones from CCSI played a pivotal role in delivering these experiences. Her engaging presentation style and practical tools, like slides for ongoing reference, resources, templates, and binders to organize the materials, left a lasting impact on the staff.

The district trained around 20 staff members through TIG and CISM, equipping them with the skills to support students dealing with trauma, illness, and grief. Additionally, Amy helped the district map out and integrate various grant-funded initiatives, creating a cohesive approach to mental health support. The poverty simulation provided staff with a powerful, hands-on understanding of the challenges faced by students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Impact

With CCSI’s partnership, the district was able to implement new programs, such as Reaching Teens, with modules created by CCSI to address specific needs. Dave and his colleague, Sara Kokko, emphasized the value of CCSI’s expertise in enhancing the district’s support for students and staff. Consequently, the collaboration allowed the district to navigate complex mental health challenges and implement effective training programs.

As Dave reflected on the journey, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude. Thanks to their collaboration with CCSI, the district was able to enhance its support for students and staff, particularly in addressing trauma and mental health needs. Ultimately, the story of Southern Door County School District is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of comprehensive training and support.