Fellowship Spotlight: Enhancing School-Based Mental Health Evaluation in Detroit
During the 2022-23 school year, the Youth Policy Lab (YPL) launched a three-year evaluation in 84 schools within the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the TRAILS Early Intervention program (TRAILS-EI). This school-based program aims to enhance the social and behavioral outcomes for students experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms by encouraging the use of evidence-based practices, with the ultimate goal of boosting academic performance. TRAILS-EI focuses on improving awareness and understanding of mental illness, enhancing the accurate and timely identification of students with mental health concerns, and encouraging students to seek help more actively.
However, coordination with DPSCD was a challenge during the pilot year of the study. A fellowship position was created in 2023 to serve as a designated liaison between YPL, TRAILS, and DPSCD. By integrating a Fellow into DPSCD Central Office, YPL hoped to gain a better understanding of the implementation context at DPSCD and complete data collection and other research activities more effectively. Megan Jagolinzer was hired as a Data and Policy Fellow in September 2023 after completing her Master's in Social Work with a concentration in Child and Family Welfare. Prior to this role, Megan worked in youth development organizations in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Through her graduate education and direct service work with youth, Megan gained training and experience in evidence-based mental health practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. Megan also brought with her prior exposure to the TRAILS Social Emotional Learning Program. Megan was tasked with supporting YPL's student and staff data collection efforts, providing regular study updates to YPL staff, and supporting communication between DPSCD and YPL.
By working at DPSCD Central Office, Megan was able to address challenges and get answers to questions in a timely manner. Her relationships with DPSCD staff led to critical discussions about adapting evaluation and implementation activities to be appropriate for the DPSCD context. For example, YPL and TRAILS needed to collect data about the program reach and CBT competency from School Mental Health Professionals (SMHPs). In previous years, this survey had been administered virtually. However, the team was not seeing a strong response rate. The length and complexity of the survey led them to believe it could be better delivered in person. The evaluation/research team proposed sharing the survey at a counselor meeting, but Megan's knowledge of internal staffing structure within DPSCD helped them realize that this meeting would not be ideal because not all of the SMHPs would be in attendance. Her knowledge and understanding of the program saved the research team time and energy and enabled them to focus their efforts on more effective measures.
