AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Thursday to enact LD 829, sponsored by Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, which would work to improve behavioral health support in public schools.
"Mental health challenges can affect success at school and in life, yet not enough students are getting the help they need to thrive," said Crafts, a licensed social worker. "This bill will help our educators by increasing staff and training for counselors and social workers in public schools, ensuring that students can get the behavioral health support they need."
The bill would take three important steps.
As amended, the bill would give the University of Southern Maine the ability to establish a pilot program in partnership with the Maine Department of Education to create a statewide group of public school staff engaged in behavior analytic skills training. Group members would receive research-based training and mentorship to better support youth engaging in challenging and disruptive behaviors in the school environment.
Further, the bill would improve the student-to-school counselor ratio in K-8 public schools to 250-to-1 from the current 350-to-1 for the purpose of state school funding. This funding ratio would be compatible with the ratio currently applied in Maine public high schools and is consistent with the recommendation of the American School Counselor Association.
Lastly, it would establish a student-to-social worker ratio of 250-to-1 and a student-to-psychologist ratio of 500-to-1 for the purpose of state school funding.
The bill faces further votes in the Legislature.
Rep. Crafts is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro and Monhegan Plantation. She is a member of the Legislature's Marine Resources and Transportation Committees
Contact:
Brian Lee [Crafts], c. 305-965-2744