School Based Mental Health

"Bozeman Public Schools exist to provide an outstanding education that inspires and ensures high achievement so every student can succeed and make a difference in a rapidly changing world community." - Core Purpose of the Bozeman Public School District

Welcome to the Bozeman Public Schools resource page for school based mental health services and supports. BSD7 uses the framework of a Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) to implement individualized social, emotional, and behavioral supports for all students. These supports are delivered through a combination of preventative "Tier 1" instruction provided to all students, targeted "Tier 2" support for those students who need additional instruction and services, and highly individualized "Tier 3" supports for those students with significant needs. The goal of an MTSS structure is to provide the right intensity of support, for the right students, at the right time. MTSS structures are implemented through school-based Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Student Assistance Teams (SATs).

Chad Berg
Director of Special Education and Student Health

Helping Children with Crisis and Tragedy

We have provided some basic resources for parents below who are looking for ways to talk with their children about grief and tragedy.

Parents are also encouraged to connect with school counselors with questions or concerns. (During summer months or school breaks, parents needing more information should call the Superintendent's office.)

Another great resource for parents is the Bozeman Community Help Center. (406) 586-3333 or their website is: http://bozemanhelpcenter.org/

Here are some printed resources that may be helpful when talking with children about tragedy and crisis.

School Based Mental Health Services

School Counselors

From the American School Counselor Association:

School counselors are highly educated, professionally certified individuals who help students succeed in school and plan their career. An integral part of the total education system, school counselors help students form healthy goals, mindsets and behaviors. With the aid of a school counselor, students learn to develop effective collaboration and cooperation skills, to practice perseverance, to develop time management and study skills, and to learn self-motivation and self-direction habits.

School Psychologists

From the National Association of School Psychologists:

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' abilities to learn and teachers' abilities to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections among home, school, and the community.

School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.

Student Assistance Specialists

Student Assistance Specialists provide a wide variety student-centered support using a trauma-responsive lens. The Bozeman Public Schools created these positions as part of its School and Family Engagement - Trauma Informed (SAFE-TI) grant, funded through the US Department of Justice.

The District currently employs one Student Assistance Specialist at each middle and high school.

Behavior Support (Student Support Specialists and Deans)

Contracted Mental Health Services

The Bozeman Public Schools partners with community based mental health centers in order to provide access to high quality therapeutic support in our schools. These supports are provided only with parent consent as part of a formalized treatment plan. Services are billed through Medicaid, private insurance, or to the family on a sliding fee scale.

These services are provided as part of a school tiered framework of support. For more information, please contact your child's school principal or school counselor.

School Based Outpatient Therapy (SBOT)

In a unique partnership with Community Health Partners, the Bozeman School District and Intermountain, a licensed behavioral health therapist is housed in both Bozeman and Gallatin High Schools. This partnership allows us to better support the student population needing greater access to behavioral health services. The therapists work directly with these students and their families as they work to ﬁnd the healing and hope that will allow them to thrive.

Comprehensive School and Community Treatment (CSCT)

Comprehensive School and Community Treatment is a comprehensive planned course of community mental health outpatient treatment that includes therapeutic interventions and supportive services provided in a public school based environment in office and treatment space provided by the school. Services are focused on improving the youth's functional level by facilitating the development of skills related to exhibiting appropriate behaviors in the school and community settings. These youth typically require support through cueing or modeling of appropriate behavioral and life skills to utilize and apply learned skills in normalized school and community settings.

Comprehensive School and Community Treatment includes:

Individual, Group and Family Therapy
Skill Building and Integration

Therapeutic Day School Services

The Bozeman Public Schools partners with two contracted school mental health providers to offer alternative therapeutic day school services, if necessary as part of a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Willson Day School

The Willson Day School provides pairs BSD7-hired teachers and paraprofessionals with Intermountain school-based outpatient therapists to provide social, emotional, and behavioral supports in a smaller learning environment, for students in grades K-5. The program is housed in the Willson administrative building at 404 West Main Street, Bozeman, MT, 59715.

Youth Dynamics Inc. Transitional School

The YDI Transitional School pairs BSD7-hired teachers and paraprofessionals with Youth Dynamics, Inc. therapeutic staff to provide social, emotional, and behavioral supports in a smaller learning environment, for student students in grades 6-12. The program is housed in the Youth Dynamics, Inc. facility at 1609 West Babcock, Bozeman, MT, 59715.

Enrollment/Placement

The placement determination for specialized day school supports must happen through an IEP team consideration. These special education service settings are often considered after less restrictive supports have been attempted within a student's attendance area school. Students must show an educational need related to progress on IEP goals, while also showing a need for mental health services through the appropriate agency's mental health intake assessment process.

For more information on Therapeutic Day School considerations, please speak with your child's special education case manager, or contact Chad Berg, Director of Special Education and Student Health.

Contact Us

Chad Berg

Director of Special Education and Student Health

(406) 522-6075 (Office)

(406) 600-6052 (Cell)

Johanna Bertken

Student Assistance Coordinator

406-522-6022 (office)