The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is using the School-Based Mental Health Services grant program to increase recruitment and retention of school mental health providers by creating the Virginia Career and Learning Center (CLC) website. Participating LEAs with demonstrated need can access quality professional development modules (currently 90+ modules), guidance on licensing requirements, and information and resources on school-based mental health careers. The CLC also serves as a repository for available school mental health positions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The site provides a single point of access to support the recruitment and retention of school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers in all Virginia school divisions (i.e., districts). This school year partner school divisions have started participating in professional development learning modules as well as monthly Tele-Echo sessions, which provide opportunities for school mental health professionals to have access to expert practitioners via virtual case staffings and live discussions.
For more information, visit the Virginia Career and Learning Center for School Mental Health Professional’s website. To hear directly from Kristinne Stone, listen to her episode of In Session in which she discusses recruitment and retention of mental health providers: Recruiting and Retaining a School Mental Health Workforce with Kristinne Stone | National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE)
