Kelly Perales, LCSW

The Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) is a structure and process for blending education and mental health systems through a multi-tiered structure in schools. By bringing school and community mental health providers into established school-wide systems of positive behavior supports, the ISF promotes a prevention-based continuum of mental health promotion and supports embedded in all three tiers of multi-tiered systems of behavioral support in schools. This session will describe the core features of the ISF and introduce tools that can help develop the ISF in local communities. Examples of current implementation will be shared, including successes and challenges.

Goals and Objectives

By the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the key features of the Interconnected Systems Framework;
  2. Explain tools that have been developed and early learning from implementation sites;
  3. Discuss how child serving systems can utilize this framework to be more efficient and effective in serving youth and families.

Presentation Outline

  1. History of Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF)
    1. What Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) is and what it is not
    2. What School Mental Health (SMH) is and what it is not
    3. What ISF is
  2. PA Tertiary Demonstration Project
    1. PA Community of Practice (COP) for School Based Behavioral Health (SBBH)
    2. PA PBS Network
    3. SBBH Teams - a clinical home model
  3. Two exemplars
    1. Montrose
    2. Scranton
    3. Outcomes
    4. Lessons learned
    5. Next steps