Missouri River Educational Cooperative Foundation
Report date
April 2022
Key lessons learned
The work of the ND SEL Network over the course of the past year has unveiled many learnings. Through collaborative efforts, it has been identified by Network members that identification and adoption or adaptation of an equity framework is needed. This framework would serve as a tool for organizing ideas in order to provide a foundation for thinking, communicating, and acting. As Network leaders investigate frameworks, we are using criteria related to conceptual clarity and implementation support to research our selection. In addition to an equity framework, the need for a professional development consortium for Network members to access support has also been identified. Additional support development would be most helpful with an emphasis on adult SEL competencies (personal skills) and adult SEL capacity (ability to teach SEL skills) as prioritized content. Most recently, we have learned that a strategic communications campaign targeting a variety of stakeholders to clarify what SEL is, what it isn’t, and why it is critical for ND’s future is necessary.
Reflections on the community innovation process
Much of our grant period, in education and elsewhere, was defined by a global pandemic and issues of social justice. The ND SEL Network has supported ND schools through this time of uncertainty and unrest by providing a space for sharing successes and solving perceived barriers through semi-annual summits, quarterly resource reviews, and quarterly member-specific coaching, elevating collaboration and resourcefulness. Responding to COVID-19 and other landmark events of 2020 and 2021 amplified the need for development of a replicable social-emotional learning implementation framework. Ensuring a programmatic and cross-sector approach, while challenging, has been critical throughout this process. In one short year, the Network grew to support 13, PK-12 school districts home to just short half of ND’s student population, 2 ND higher education institutions, and a community partner.
Progress toward an innovation
At the time of our application, a known lack of infrastructure existed to meet behavioral health needs in ND. The advent of COVID-19 has only amplified this need. It is clear that schools, previously invested in growing a strong system of support through investment in implementation science (intentional resource allocation in infrastructure and support, assessment, data-based decision-making, fidelity, and evaluation), have responded to meeting the needs of students and their families most effectively as a result of the pandemic. Our approach to developing a replicable implementation framework that can be customized to meet local needs has been validated, along with the notion that school personnel are not equipped with the finite resources (time, money and energy) to meet the needs of students and families independently. Collaboration between multiple layers of stakeholders leads to stronger, more vibrant school communities.
What's next?
Sustaining the ND SEL Network as a collaborative space to generate ideas and test solutions serves as a logical next step for continuing this project. The more recent advent within the Network of promoting SEL as a strategic workforce development tool also lends to natural next steps. Finally, development and dissemination of a strategic communications campaign targeting a variety of stakeholders serves as another “next step”.
If you could do it all over again...
In ND’s 2019 Legislative Session, schools were required to designate one school personnel as the Behavioral Health Resource Coordinator (BHRC). In addition, separate legislation required ND’s Department of Human Services (ND DHS) to provide BHRCs with valuable materials and resources related to supporting behavioral health needs of students and families. In September of 2020, ND DHS released a request for proposals for assistance in creating a technical assistance center for the 315 unique BHRCs throughout the state; CREA’s proposal was selected. Since, the Behavioral Health in Education: Resources and Opportunities Technical Assistance Center has been established. Phase 1 of development includes dissemination of weekly resources. Phase 2 will include development and facilitation of training and a space for BHRCs to share successes and perceived barriers in supporting behavioral health needs, including SEL, of students and families. The advice I would give, is that this work will lead to greater systemic change in ND, therefore, it will be important to 1) package it such that it is replicable, scalable, and can be localized, and 2) be prepared to manage growth.
One last thought
TellWell, a ND communications company, has been contracted to helps us effectively brand the ND SEL Network as well as tell impactful implementation stories of Network members through writing, design, and construction of a high-quality website, including SEL Network member profiles. As Network leaders, we anticipate this advent as being critical in promotion, scaling, and sustaining the Network as well as for hosting ND SEL Network-endorsed or generated resources.