Behavioral Health Services

The NCESD Behavioral Support Services team supports districts in efforts to enhance students’ emotional and behavioral wellness while seeking to reduce or remove related non-academic barriers to learning. Our goal is to assist students to be emotionally and behaviorally healthy and supported so they may attend and engage at school to their fullest potential and graduate ready to achieve their goals in life.

The services offered by the Student Support Services Department varies somewhat annually, integrating a number of funding sources, but an enduring core of our work has been and remains the Student Assistance Program. We also offer a menu of training and technical assistance offerings for school staff related to student emotional and behavioral health, skills, programs, and strategies.

Are you interested in Behavioral Health training for your district staff from NCESD?

Please fill out our request form and a member of our Behavioral Health team will reach out to you directly.

Submit Request Form

What does Behavioral Health mean?

Behavioral Health is defined as the promotion of mental health, resilience and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities. (SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)

Contact Information

Shelley Seslar

Managing Director, Behavioral Health Services
shelleys@ncesd.org
509-665-2626

Every Opportunity

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Upcoming Trainings

Upcoming events listed on pdEnroller with the tag “Behavioral Health” will appear below. You can also view all upcoming events on pdEnroller.

Annual Calendar

The calendar below is for your reference of student health campaigns through the year. We keep this document updated. You can view the Google Doc here.

News & Resources

Sign up to receive news and resource from the NCESD Behavioral Heath team in your email inbox. The team sends out a regular monthly newsletter filled with great resources, and sometimes they send “alerts” for timely information and news.

Archives

Check out our archive of past resources and news below. Use the filters to narrow down the topic you are interested in learning about.

  • Resource: American Academy of Pediatrics

    Published on: April 25, 2023

    Building Blocks for Healthy Self Esteem in Kids, from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), via its parent website healthychildren.org, defines “self esteem” as “the way we perceive ourselves,” and tells us that self esteem influences resilience, relationships, motivation, and achievements.

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  • Resource: iChill – A FREE App from the Trauma Resource Institute

    Published on: April 24, 2023

    Imagine having - right at your fingertips - a list of small actions you could take to calm yourself, or to energize yourself, as needed! With iChill, a FREE app from the Trauma Resource Institute, you, or anyone with internet access, can have exactly that!

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  • Resource: Mental Health America (MHA) – May is Mental Health Month

    Published on: April 24, 2023

    Mental Health America started Mental Health Month in 1949. Each year, the non-profit organization creates and releases a Mental Health Month toolkit.

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  • Video: Break the Stigma Around Children’s Mental Health

    Published on: April 24, 2023

    Show this video to your colleagues, your students and their parents! This video from Children’s Hospital Colorado explains mental health stigma as a remnant.

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  • Curated Links for May 2023 – Mental Health

    Published on: April 24, 2023

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; May includes links to excellent mental health resources

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  • Resource: Wellness Event Guide by NCESD

    Published on: March 23, 2023

    Check out NCESD's new Wellness Event Guide and be sure to bookmark it! The guide includes things like checklists, timelines, templates, and more to help you host your own Wellness Event in your school.

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  • Resource: What About Stress?

    Published on: March 23, 2023

    While much of our work focuses on prevention, this month’s emphasis on stress will NOT focus on preventing stress! Why not? These videos from Mental Health Literacy answers this question beautifully!

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  • Resource: The American Psychological Association (APA) on Stress

    Published on: March 23, 2023

    The American Psychological Association (APA) has devoted numerous articles to the topic of stress, including the chronic stress effects on the body, the difference between stress and anxiety, and how to handle life stressors.

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  • Resource: Seven Ways to Have a Healthier Relationship With Stress

    Published on: March 23, 2023

    Drawn from a new book, The Stress Prescription, by health psychologist and researcher Elissa Epel, Jill Suttie’s article Seven Ways to Have a Healthier Relationship With Stress includes a few strategies that may be fresh and new to you.

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  • Curriculum: Free Lesson Plans on Stress for K-12

    Published on: March 23, 2023

    KidsHealth in the Classroom has a variety of resources to help youth grasp foundational concepts about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.

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  • Resource: Stress Resources from TeenMentalHealth.org

    Published on: March 23, 2023

    TeenMentalHealth.org has a variety of mental health resources, including "Understanding the Stress Response" and "Learning How to Use Daily Stress to Develop Resilience"

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  • Curriculum: Free Lesson Plans from YouthSMART for Grades 7-12

    Published on: March 22, 2023

    Busting Stress: Stress Management Lesson Plans for Grade 7-12 by YouthSMART, an initiative from the Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region.

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  • Curated Links for April 2023 – Stress

    Published on: March 22, 2023

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; April's resources are about managing stress for both children and adults.

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  • Resource: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

    Published on: February 24, 2023

    Launched by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2010, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week promotes discussion of drug use and addiction science.

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  • Curriculum: Lesson Plans and Activities From The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

    Published on: February 24, 2023

    National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and addition. We've collected a variety of lesson plans and acitives from NIDA for grades 5-12.

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  • Resource: Talk. They Hear You.

    Published on: February 23, 2023

    SAMHSA has created a campaign called Talk. They Hear You. Among the campaign's resources for schools and educators, community partners and parents and caregivers is the FREE mobile app.

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  • Curriculum: Substance Abuse Prevention (Grades 3-12)

    Published on: February 23, 2023

    Created by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Discovery Education, Operation Prevention is an inquiry-based program, intended for touth ages 8 - 18, parents, and workforce members.

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  • Curriculum: Substance Misuse Expansion Lessons (Grades K-8)

    Published on: February 23, 2023

    The authors intended that the Substance Misuse Expansion Lessons would stand alone in Grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 4, but would follow the Catch My Breath Vaping Prevention curriculum in Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8.

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  • Curriculum: Catch My Breath (Grades 5-12)

    Published on: February 23, 2023

    CATCH My Breath’s peer-led teaching approach empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about e-cigarettes and resist social pressures to vape.

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  • Substance Use Resources Introduction

    Published on: February 23, 2023

    An introduction to resources from the March 2023 newsletter about substance abuse prevention. The information in the introduction provides best practices in implementation.

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  • Curated Links for March 2023

    Published on: February 23, 2023

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; March's resources are about substance abuse prevention.

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  • Resource: Healthy Relationships Toolkit

    Published on: January 19, 2023

    The Healthy Relationship Toolkit, adapted from Safe Dates, teaches communication and conflict resolution skills, challenges gender stereotypes and includes an extensive list of feeling words.

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  • Curated Links for January 2023

    Published on: December 15, 2022

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; January's resources are about general mental health care.

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  • Resource: Classroom WISE and CIE-WISE

    Published on: December 13, 2022

    A FREE, six-module training series, Classroom WISE (Well-Being Information and Strategies for Educators), is now available to help educators create safe and supportive learning environments for students, and to respond appropriately when mental health concerns become evident.

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  • Resource: MentalHealth.gov

    Published on: December 13, 2022

    The U. S. Department of Health & Human Services maintains a comprehensive Mental Health website that includes a definition of mental health, a discussion of common myths surrounding mental health, descriptions of numerous mental health disorders and several ways of getting help for mental health disorders.

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  • Resource: Mental Health and High School Curriculum Guide

    Published on: December 13, 2022

    The Mental Health & High School Curriculum is a FREE resource available to educators for teaching concepts of mental health to students in grades 9 and 10.

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  • An Emerging Best Practice – Universal Mental Health Screening (Part 4)

    Published on: December 12, 2022

    In Part Four, Shelley will describe some of the logistics necessary to ensure successful implementation of a UMHS event and provide three critical resources to support UMHS implementation.

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  • Unity Day Observances Around the Region

    Published on: November 21, 2022

    Throughout our North Central region, in various creative and memorable ways, schools observed Unity Day, a day to celebrate kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

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  • Curated Links for December 2022

    Published on: November 16, 2022

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; December resources are focus on managing stress.

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  • How to Help Students Deal with Holiday Stress

    Published on: November 16, 2022

    Ideas on how adults who interact with students can help those who may be faced with stressful, and sometimes dangerous, situations during holiday breaks.

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  • The Seven Most Common Issues Families Have Around the Holidays

    Published on: November 16, 2022

    Seven common issues families may experience during the holidays and how you can set a peaceful example and avoid upsetting others.

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  • How to Prevent Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children

    Published on: November 16, 2022

    By employing stress management strategies, adults can set a calm example and keep the home or school environment peaceful.

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  • Tips for Coping with Stress During the Holidays

    Published on: November 16, 2022

    The Mayo Clinic, encourages us to “take control of the holidays” by acting in advance to avoid stress and depression, and by planning toward peace and joy.

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  • Curated Links for November 2022

    Published on: October 26, 2022

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; December resources are focus on kindness and gratitude.

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  • Introducing Gratitude Into the Classroom

    Published on: October 25, 2022

    Introduce gratitude into the classroom with a Gratitude Journal activity for students. Learn about the activity and get inspiration with some guiding discussion questions.

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  • November is Transgender Awareness Month

    Published on: October 25, 2022

    Recommendations on how educators and other school personnel can best support youth who are transgender. Information from interview with Light Estrada Gonzalez.

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  • Learn About Kindness in the Classroom©

    Published on: October 25, 2022

    Kindness in the Classroom© is a free social-emotional learning curriculum from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAK). There are resources available for grades PK-12.

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  • An Emerging Best Practice – Universal Mental Health Screening (Part 3)

    Published on: October 25, 2022

    Explore the important preparation for success - developing your school’s WHY, the rationale for Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS) in your community.

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  • Video: Standing Together to Prevent Bullying (US Department of Health and Human Services)

    Published on: October 12, 2022

    In this poignant video, less than two minutes in length, US Surgeon General Dr. Murthy speaks out about the prevalence and harmful consequences – to all involved: persons who bully, persons targeted, and witnesses – of bullying behavior.

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  • An Emerging Best Practice – Universal Mental Health Screening (Part 2)

    Published on: October 10, 2022

    Shelley outlines the initial steps critical to implementing your first UMHS - working with your school team and community mental health partners to prepare for your event.

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  • Hope Squad: Structured Peer Support

    Published on: October 10, 2022

    Hope Squad is an evidence- and research-based, peer-support program shown to improve school culture, destigmatize mental health challenges, and, ultimately, to save lives.

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  • Bullying Prevention and Intervention

    Published on: October 10, 2022

    Would you like to help students assess their own behavior in regard to bullying? Have they at times been bullied? Have they witnessed bullying? Have they bullied others?

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  • Curated Links for October 2022

    Published on: October 10, 2022

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; December resources are focus on bullying prevention.

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  • How to Calm or Confirm Your Concerns

    Published on: September 19, 2022

    A variety of resources like the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions toolkit to evaluate whether a student is at suicide risk. Other resources include Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale.

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  • An Emerging Best Practice – Universal Mental Health Screening (Part 1)

    Published on: September 19, 2022

    An introduction to Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS), an emerging best practice similar to other school-based health screenings, like scoliosis, BMI, vision, and hearing.

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  • Curated Links for September 2022

    Published on: September 19, 2022

    A list of curated resources aligned with the NCESD Behavioral Health team’s monthly email newsletter; September resources are focus on suicide prevention.

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  • Resource: Model District Template for Recognition, Screening and Response

    Published on: September 10, 2022

    OSPI's Model District Template for Student Social, Emotional, and Behavioral, and Mental Health Recognition, Screening, and Response document is intended to provide a template to district and building administrators and student support professionals.

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  • Resource: TeacherWISE

    Published on: September 10, 2022

    TeacherWISE is a 6-hour self-paced online training to support teacher self-care and classroom climate from the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland.

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  • Resource: Seize the Awkward

    Published on: September 10, 2022

    Seize the Awkward may be an ideal first step in preparing a class, club, or entire student body for focused suicide prevention activities.

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  • Resource: Crisis Lines

    Published on: September 10, 2022

    Help is Available 24/7! Share these numbers with students, parents and colleagues: 988 Suicide and Crisis Line, Crisis Text Line 741741, Teen Link, and Teen Line.

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  • Resource: Monthly Happiness Calendar

    Published on: September 9, 2022

    A resource to support our school staff’s well-being is the Happiness Calendar. Each month a new daily calendar for a month of activities intended to encourage adults to focus on their own well-being and also that of their community.

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  • Resource: The 2×10 Strategy

    Published on: September 6, 2022

    The 2x10 Strategy is a research-based strategy to build an authentic relationship and decrease negative classroom behaviors.

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Trainings, Programs & Technical Assistance

Our team keeps the slides below updated with the latest information about trainings, programs and assistance that NCESD can provide to school districts. For more information, please connect with Shelley Seslar at shelleys@ncesd.org.

Are you interested in Behavioral Health training for your district staff? Fill out our Request Form

Emotional & Behavioral Distress Planning

Our team updates the slides below on a regular basis with information about Emotional & Behavioral Distress Planning. For more information, please contact Shelley Seslar at shelleys@ncesd.org.

Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Postvention

Our team updates the slides below on a regular basis with information about Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention. For more information, please contact Shelley Seslar at shelleys@ncesd.org.

Local Resources & Crisis Lines

Our team keeps the information below updated with the latest information. If you see something that needs to be updated or added, please contact Shelley Seslar at shelleys@ncesd.org.

Student Support Services Staff Contacts

Administrative

Shelley Seslar

Managing Director, Behavioral Health Services
Email Shelley Seslar
509-665-2626

Crystal Fickey

Student Assistance Program Coordinator
Email Crystal Fickey
509-300-4981

Chelan County – Student Assistance Professionals

Amy McCubbin

Student Assistance Professional – Wenatchee School District
Email Amy McCubbin

Armando Davila

Student Assistance Professional – Lake Chelan District
Email Armando Davila

Karly Kingrey

Student Assistance Professional – Cashmere District
Email Karly Kingrey

Shelley Valdez-Schultz

Student Assistance Professional – Wenatchee School District
Email Shelley Valdez-Schultz

Douglas County – Student Assistance Professionals

Jill Moomaw

Student Assistance Professional – Waterville School District

Grant County – Student Assistance Professionals

Arely Nunez

Student Assistance Professional – Soap Lake School District
Email Arely Nunez

Dylan Kling

Student Assistance Professional – Quincy School District
Email Dylan Kling

Destiny Romero-Williams

Educational Advocate – Quincy School District

Leigh Allison-Ray

Student Assistance Professional – Moses Lake School District
Email Leigh Allison-Ray

Ephrata School District

This position is currently open. Please reach out to Shelley Seslar if you are interested in learning more.

Okanogan County – Student Assistance Professionals

Susan Hinger

Student Assistance Professional – Oroville School District & Tonasket School District
Email Susan Hinger

Lesa Eiffert

Student Assistance Professional – Omak School District
Email Lesa Eiffert

Lynell Morrison-Nelson

Educational Advocate – Omak School District
Email Lynell Morrison-Nelson

Readiness to Learn Program

Wenatchee School District

Entiat School District

Additional Student Safety & Well-Being Services

Threat Assessment

Comprehensive School Safety

Attendance & Re-engagement

Student Safety & Well-Being Department