Our application process is closed and training is underway for the 2023-2024 cohort.
We will be inviting new and returning schools to join us to be part of a School SBIRT Implementation Project in August 2024 for the 2024-25 Cohort. We have found that schools are more likely to implement if they create an implementation team and plan (application process) and participate in training in the fall, so they can use it with students right away.
Prepare to apply by:
Making sure School SBIRT is a good fit for your school.
Identify an existing team or create a SBIRT Implementation Team. Ideally, 4-5 people, including a Team Lead, Practitioners who will be implementing, and a designated Administrator to support implementation and decision-making.
Discuss how using SBIRT to address student needs fits with existing priorities or initiatives (Equitable MLSS, Comprehensive School Mental Health Framework, or other).
Preview the brief application process here (example from previous year). The final application form and timeline will be posted to this webpage by August 1, 2024.
Schools can apply to be part of a School SBIRT Implementation Project Cohort 2023-2024. Each school that participates is eligible for a $2,000 stipend upon meeting project requirements. A maximum of $4,000 per district.
Project Requirements
Identify a District Administrator/School Leader to engage in decision-making and problem solving for project implementation.
Identify an existing team or create a SBIRT Implementation Team. The team will be comprised of participating Practitioners, designated Leader/Administrator, and Team Lead.
New staff (not previously trained) must complete pre-learning, 2 days of in person training, practice sample submission for fidelity review, and regular self-assessments of practice.
Each Practitioner delivers SBIRT to 1-2 new students per month and track data.
School SBIRT Team Lead & each practitioner participates in 2 virtual follow-up community of practice sessions.
Each team will receive a customized Google Dashboard to enter their data on a monthly basis for implementation feedback.
School SBIRT Team Lead submits a final SBIRT data tracking sheet to WISH Center Director at the end of the year for project evaluation and reporting.
Returning Schools
This project is open to returning school SBIRT implementation teams or anyone that has participated in School SBIRT training with the WISH Center.
Each school that participates is eligible for a $2,000 stipend upon meeting project requirements. A maximum of $4,000 per district.
Project Requirements for Returning Schools
All of the above requirements.
Returning Practitioners must participate in a 2-hour virtual Booster Session.
Optional, training will be available for any additional new team members as described above.
2023-2024 Training and Community of Practice Dates:
In-Person Training (New Schools or Practitioners - choose 1 session)
MATC Fort Atkinson, November 14 & December 12, 8:30 AM-3 PM
CESA 9, October 26 & November 29, 8:30 AM-3 PM
Midstate, Stevens Point, October 31 & November 28, 8:30 AM-3 PM
Online Booster Training (Returning Schools or Practitioners - choose 1 session)
Virtual, November 8, 9 AM-11 AM
Virtual, November 8, 1 PM-3 PM
Online Community of Practice (All Project Participants - join 1 session each date)
Student outcomes from this project are consistent with the research literature that shows SBIRT to be highly effective and efficient for addressing adolescent behavioral health issues within opportunistic settings such as schools.
SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. Originally developed for delivery in busy health care settings, SBIRT offers an efficient, evidence-based, and comprehensive service to address selected behavioral health concerns among adolescents (e.g., alcohol/other drug involvement). Although originally designed as a universal prevention approach (Tier 1), SBIRT is readily adapted for delivery in middle and high school settings by existing student services staff as a selected (Tier 2) or indicated (Tier 3) intervention.
Why deliver SBIRT services in your school?
SBIRT is well-established and evidence-based.
SBIRT expands the capacity of student services to effectively and efficiently address a range of behavioral health concerns (e.g., alcohol/drug use, mental health) which, in turn, promotes school engagement and learning outcomes.
SBIRT fits with a student-centered, strength-based philosophy.
SBIRT is student friendly, culturally relevant, and highly engaging. No problem recognition is required for a student to benefit from SBIRT. Teenagers rate these services with high levels of satisfaction.
SBIRT fits with Response to Intervention. Screening provides baseline data, then approximately 30 days later, follow up screening ascertains individual student response to Brief Intervention.
SBIRT fits with Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports. Services can be delivered as an indicated (Tier 3) or selected (Tier 2) intervention. Because of the amount of resources required, this project does not endorse implementation of universal screening (Tier 1).
Implementation allows for flexibility. Staff are trained to use a protocol which guides delivery of services. Staff decide the focus of intervention, number of BI sessions, and format of delivery (individual or small groups).
Who do I contact if I need more information?
For more information about School SBIRT and the Training and Implementation Project, please contact Tracy Herlitzke, WISH Center Director (therlitzke@cesa4.org) or Scott Caldwell, DHS SBIRT Coordinator (scott.caldwell@wisconsin.gov).
Referral pathways are formalized processes for identifying and connecting students to needed mental health supports. These pathways are important because they provide next steps for staff and families after identifying a student in need, coordinate supports within schools and with outside organizations, and improve student outcomes through early identification.
The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs – Short Screener (GAIN-SS) is a tool designed to identify individuals who are likely to have a mental health and/or substance use disorder and who should be referred for further assessment or treatment. The GAIN-SS has 20 questions and takes about 5 minutes to administer. The WISH Center receives funding from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction/DHS for up to 50 schools to be licensed to utilize the GAIN-SS online screening tool.
Find guidance on facilitating motivational interviewing-based interventions in group settings with adolescents. View training videos, download intervention materials, get continuing education credits, and explore MI resources.
Provides resources for those seeking information on Motivational Interviewing. It includes general information about the approach, as well as links, training resources, and information on reprints and recent research.
Document created by the Wisconsin DPI on Consent and Notification in a Multilevel System of Support (Response to Intervention): Frequently Asked Questions & Definitions