Jo Simonsen - OhioKAN Supports Kinship Families and Educators with Resources and Services
Release Date: 09/06/2023
Season 3 Trailer for School Wellness Podcast
School Wellness
Welcome to Season Three of the School Wellness Podcast, an initiative by the Ohio School Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention. This season will have 15 episodes and kicks off with influential conversations surrounding youth-led prevention, school mental health, and self-care frameworks in education. Delve into expert interviews that reveal the strategic efforts being made to ensure the health and well-being of children and educators in Ohio and beyond. Key Takeaways: Youth-led prevention is crucial for empowering communities, an initiative actively supported by...
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Emily Torok - Streamlining Support for School Safety Initiatives
School Wellness
About the Guest: Emily Torok is the Director at the Ohio School Safety Center. With a history in Ohio Homeland Security, Emily initially supervised multiple school safety efforts. Her career trajectory evolved with Governor DeWine's administration prioritizing school safety as a standalone focus, allowing her to dedicate her expertise solely to this area. Emily has effectively channeled her initial interest in counterterrorism into creating safer educational environments across Ohio. Episode Summary: Join host Amanda Hampton on "School Wellness," presented by the Ohio School-Based Center of...
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Evi Roberts - Ohio's Suicide Prevention Efforts
School Wellness
About the Guest(s): Evi Roberts is a dedicated youth program and policy manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). With a robust background in public administration and addiction counseling, she transitioned into preventative mental health work through mentorship with notable figures such as Dr. Holly Raffle. Since joining OSPF in 2021, Evi has been instrumental in managing youth suicide prevention efforts, coordinating grant proposals, and implementing impactful marketing initiatives. Her commitment to reducing the risk of suicide is evident through her leadership in developing...
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Sarah Music - Supporting the Whole Child with School Wellness Success
School Wellness
Episode Summary: In this episode of School Wellness with Amanda Hampton, the focus is on supporting the whole child within the Ohio educational system. Amanda Hampton, a certified prevention specialist, engages Sarah Music from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to discuss effective strategies and programs that target the holistic development and prevention needs of school-aged children. By emphasizing mental health, social inclusion, and substance abuse prevention, they underline the importance of comprehensive school wellness frameworks. Key themes explored in the conversation...
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Brice Frasure - Building Effective Student Assistance Programs
School Wellness
Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton engages in an insightful discussion with Brice Frasure from Logan Hocking Schools. They delve into the pivotal role of Student Assistance Programming (SAP) in enhancing the well-being of students and staff. Brice shares how SAP, an evidence-based framework, aids in addressing non-academic barriers such as mental health, behavioral issues, and family concerns, creating a coordinated support system that complements existing educational initiatives. Throughout the conversation, Amanda and Brice discuss the journey of...
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Patrick Hickman - Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Ohio Schools
School Wellness
Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness with Amanda Hampton," hosted by certified prevention specialist Amanda Hampton, the focus is on tackling chronic absenteeism in Ohio schools. Joined by Patrick Hickman from the Office of Whole Child Supports, the discussion delves into the pressing issue of student and staff attendance post-pandemic. The episode not only explores historical and current data trends but also examines the underlying causes contributing to absenteeism, providing a detailed overview that is both informative and thought-provoking. Patrick Hickman shares valuable...
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Katie Ostendorf - Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Informed Classroom
School Wellness
Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of School Wellness, Amanda Hampton delves into the intricacies of creating a trauma-informed classroom with educator Katie Ostendorf. Katie shares her journey into teaching, fueled by a passion sparked during a high school mentoring experience. She describes her continued dedication to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment. With a primary focus on ELA and the integration of social studies, Katie's approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the emotional needs of students through trauma-informed practices and goal...
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Karen Eads - Empowering Students Through Trauma-Informed Practices
School Wellness
Join Amanda Hampton and guest Karen Eads as they discuss creating trauma-informed classrooms. Karen, a veteran first-grade teacher with 35 years of experience at Norwood Elementary, shares her journey and strategies for fostering a safe, empathetic, and regulated learning environment. Learn about her use of PAX tools, creating emotional safety, and the importance of modeling self-regulation. Discover how addressing emotional and behavioral needs can significantly enhance academic performance and overall well-being in young students. About the Guest: Karen Eads is a seasoned educator with over...
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Ali Masters - Impact of Collective Care on School Wellness
School Wellness
Amanda Hampton of the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence is joined by Ali Masters from Kinder Elementary to discuss the role of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator (BHWC). Ali shares insights on educational neuroscience, collective care, and the positive impacts on school culture, including significant decreases in suspensions and behavioral referrals. Discover how initiatives like the SPA room, TAP IN TAP OUT system, and student assistance programs are fostering a supportive environment for students and staff alike. Highlights include boosts in family engagement and actionable...
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Cricket Meehan - Learning about the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence
School Wellness
Amanda Hampton hosts Dr. Cricket Meehan from the Ohio School-based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University. They discuss the center's essential initiatives, such as the Ohio School Wellness Initiative, which focuses on supporting both students and staff in mental health and well-being. Dr. Meehan highlights the importance of everyone playing a role in fostering a healthy and thriving community and shares insights on the upcoming Ohio School Success Conference. Tune in to learn about innovative models in mental health support tailored for Ohio's schools...
info_outlineJo Simonsen, the OhioKAN Regional Director, joins Al Levin on the School Wellness podcast to discuss the OhioKAN program and its mission to support kinship and adoptive families. Jo explains that kinship families are those who step up to care for a child when they cannot live with their biological parents. These families can include relatives or even close friends who take on the responsibility of raising the child. Jo highlights the challenges that kinship families face, such as the sudden nature of the placement and the financial burden. He emphasizes the importance of schools in supporting these families and offers insights into how educators can create a kinship-friendly environment. Jo also introduces the OhioKAN toolkit, a comprehensive resource for schools to better understand and support kinship families.
You can find out more about Jo and OhioKan's work at https://ohiokan.jfs.ohio.gov/
Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe