Project AWARE
Mental Health Matters for ALL students. Access is not enough. Progress is our goal.
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) is a five-year federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) that was awarded to the Georgia Department of Education in September 2020 to implement a comprehensive plan of evidence-based, culturally competent, and developmentally appropriate school- and community-based mental health services for Bibb County School District students. The purpose of Georgia Project AWARE is to:
- Increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth;
- Provide training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues; and
- Connect school-aged youth, who may have behavioral health issues (including serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness), and their families to needed services (SAMHSA, Center for Mental Health Services, 2020).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) expects grantees to focus on partnerships and collaboration between state and local systems to promote the healthy development of school-aged youth and prevent youth violence. The Bibb County School Climate Transformation Team is a group of school, district-level, and community stakeholders who meet regularly to discuss and review district practices, data, and other topics related to student mental health and school climate. Georgia State University (Center for Leadership in Disability and the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Management) is providing training and evaluation for Bibb Project AWARE.
For more information about Bibb County School District’s school-based mental health services, contact Tajalyn Woodruff, Project AWARE Coordinator, at 478-765-8551 or tajalyn.woodruff@bcsdk12.net. Parents are encouraged to discuss mental health concerns with the child’s pediatrician and/or school counselor. If there is a need for mental health (or related) services and supports, school counselors will assist families with the necessary referrals. For needs of immediate support (or intervention) outside of normal school hours, students, staff, and families are encouraged to seek immediate attention at a healthcare facility (or by calling the Georgia Crisis Access Line, 1-800-715-4225).