Behavioral Health & Student Safety

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Helping schools address the unprecedented rise in mental health and behavioral challenges facing Virginia students post-pandemic, Behavioral Health and Wellness helps to focus resources and attention to our students who are struggling with these evolving challenges. 

Sharpening the focus on the “Right Help, Right Now” resources available to Virginia students, Behavioral Health and Wellness will assists schools with teams of professionals focused through three key areas:

The priorities of the Office of Behavorial Health are to provide leadership, resources and services to increase the capacity of divisions and schools to:

  1. enhance a positive school climate and learning environment; 
  2. increase the safety and well-being of students and staff; 
  3. promote the healthy social, emotional and physical development of children and youth; and 
  4. advance student learning and academic achievement, in concert with families and the community.   
Group of high school students working together on a laptop with the guidance of their teacher

Virginia Behavioral Health Comprehensive Framework

The Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness, along with educator, parent, and student voice, is developing the Virginia Comprehensive Behavioral Health Framework. It is anticipated that the framework will be available in fall of 2024.

The framework is designed to improve student outcomes by building a comprehensive, state-wide, multi-agency plan for training in prevention, intervention, and referral pathways for all education-related stakeholders.