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Positive Youth Development

Pursuant to TEC §38.351 Section (b) and Sub-section (c-8) each school district may select programs related to this area of mental health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention for appropriate implementation in the district. Resources related to this component of school mental health focus on providing meaningful opportunities for youth to enhance their interests, skills, and abilities through positive school and community experiences. Positive youth development activities help to optimize personal development, strengthen school engagement and belonging, promote positive peer relationships which may also include reducing bullying behavior, and promote academic achievement.  

To view resources on this component of school mental health you can visit the new Texas School Mental Health Website for the Mental and Behavioral Health Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository.  This repository is updated as resources are reviewed and approved.

Mental Health Best Practices and Programs List Competencies

The competencies outlined within this document serve as a foundational guide for selecting best-practices and research-based programs that meet the requirements of TEC §38.351, TEC §38.036, TEC §21.451, and TEC §21.4515. School systems may use these competencies when evaluating programs or practices not currently on the list established by TEC §38.351, ensuring that locally selected approaches are aligned with statutory requirements. By addressing multiple areas of school mental health, these competencies support a comprehensive and integrated implementation strategy.

The list of best-practice-based programs and research-based practices are not exhaustive, and approaches for fulfilling the competencies are not limited to the examples provided below. The competencies and examples below may be considered when establishing local training and implementation procedures based upon the recommendations of the SBEC Clearinghouse.    

Competency Examples of Fulfilling Competency
Addresses strategies for preventing problem behaviors
  • Increasing school connectedness and supportive school climates.
  • Promoting protective factors that decrease problem behaviors.
  • Recognizing risk factors that increase problem behaviors.
Addresses healthy development and wellbeing
  • Identifying opportunities to build leadership skills.
  • Developing resilience when experiencing adversity.
  • Modeling self-regulation and healthy coping skills.
Addresses preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying
  • Promoting the use of local procedures for reporting bullying.
  • Improving attitudes towards seeking help when needed.
  • Encouraging behaviors that create positive learning environments. 

 

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Mental and Behavioral Health Team
Contact Information: Dr. LaTrenda Watson, Director of Mental and Behavi
Contact Information

Dr. LaTrenda Watson, Director of Mental and Behavioral Health

Tammy Gendke, Mental Health Program Coordinator

Ashton Millet, Project A.W.A.R.E State Coordinator

MentalandBehavioralHealth@tea.texas.gov