When schools start talking about addressing the mental health needs of kids, someone in the room usually says something like: "We're educators, not therapists. That's not what we do." It’s a fair claim, and if a school-based mental health framework is asking teachers to do therapy, there's a problem with the framework.

In 2021, BHII launched the NH Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavioral Health and Wellness Technical Assistance (MTSS-B TA) Center in partnership with the Office of Student and Educator Wellness (OSEW) at the NH Department of Education.

“It’s all about the buy-in.” “We need stronger buy-in.” “We just don’t have the buy-in.” If you work in a school, community mental health agency, or any organization implementing behavioral health interventions in a complex environment, you’ve likely heard one or all of these phrases. In my experience as a program evaluator, these comments surface most often when an initiative isn’t being implemented as intended, when outcomes lag, enthusiasm fades, or a promising initiativ