The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s Northeast Texas Mental Health Executive Learning Community, in partnership with the Texas Pioneer Foundation and the Region 8 Education Service Center, is pleased to announce the completion of a groundbreaking twelve-month initiative to provide comprehensive support for the mental health needs of students and educators across Northeast Texas. The study included 23 school districts and 3 community colleges, representing nearly 29,000 students.

Deputy Director of Region 8 Education Service Center, Heather McGregor, presented a plaque to the Meadows Institute expressing appreciation for the commitment to improve academic performance and increase knowledge of the importance of mental health in schools. Accepting the plaque were Meadows Institute leaders of the Executive Learning Community: Dr. Linda Webb, Senior Vice President for Education Initiatives; Edna Henderson, LCSW, Assistant Director for School Mental Health; and Jen Esterline, Senior Vice President for Child and Family Strategy.

“The Meadows Institute was thrilled to work with the Texas Pioneer Foundation and the Region 8 Education Service Center to help develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive school mental health systems,” said Michelle Harper, Executive Vice President for Child and Family Wellness. “By working together, we believe we can improve outcomes for both students and teachers.”

Focused on foundational aspects of school mental health, long-term systems building, and implementing practical strategies, this initiative addressed the unique challenges faced by Northeast Texas schools. Topics of interest for this program included identifying signs of mental illness, suicide prevention, trauma and grief support, and prioritizing educator well-being.

Building on the success of the Northeast Texas Mental Health Executive Learning Community, The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and the Texas Pioneer Foundation announced plans for continued support of this initiative. Preparation for this opportunity, along with additional information, will be available soon.

About Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute: Established in 2014, the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is dedicated to identifying equitable systemic solutions to mental health needs. Serving as Texas' leading source for data-driven mental health policy, the Institute collaborates with leaders at all levels to promote early intervention, address mental health crises, and support recovery. Learn more at mmhpi.org.

Participants in the Northeast Texas Mental Health Executive Learning Community include:

Chapel Hill ISD

Chisum ISD

Clarksville ISD

Como-Pickton ISD

Cooper ISD

Cumby ISD

Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD

Harts Bluff ISD

Honey Grove ISD

Hughes Springs ISD

Jefferson ISD

Linden-Kildare ISD

Mount Vernon ISD

New Boston ISD

North Hopkins ISD

Paris ISD

Pewitt ISD

Queen City ISD

Red Lick ISD

Redwater ISD

Simms ISD

Sulphur Bluff ISD

Texarkana ISD

Community College Participants:

Northeast Texas Community College

Paris Junior College

Texarkana Community College

For further information, please contact:

Karen Gage

Lakes Regional Community Center

Region 8 Behavioral Health Partnership Program Liaison

903.575.2752

kgage@reg8.net

Dana McAdoo

Region 8 Education Service Center

903.575.2696

dmcadoo@reg8.net

Chelsie Stout

Behavior & Autism Consultant

903.575.2769

cstout@reg8.net

Ms. McGregor also presented Mr. Fred Markham, Executive Director of The Texas Pioneer Foundation, with a plaque expressing gratitude for his dedicated support to the Meadows Institute to deliver a unique opportunity for executive school district leaders to learn and collaborate on best practices and leverage MultiTiered Systems of Support to build and improve their school-based mental health systems. Mr. Markham shared his beliefs, stating, "With overwhelmingly positive district feedback and a request for continued learning, we believe it is important to continue to support educators as they navigate increasing behavior challenges and the need for mental health supports."