Expanding Student Health and Wellness: DuPage Education Office Takes Action

Enhancing Student Health and Wellness in DuPage County

As the new academic year approaches, the DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) is proactively enhancing student health and wellness support across schools in the region. This initiative is designed to strengthen mental health resources for students, ensuring they return to a safe and supportive learning environment.

Amber Quirk, the DuPage Regional Superintendent of Schools, emphasized that every student deserves to feel acknowledged and appreciated as they enter their classrooms. She stated, “Learning is most effective when we care for the full range of a child's needs, which not only includes academic growth but also emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and a sense of belonging.” Such foundational beliefs guide the Office's recent efforts to foster a supportive educational atmosphere.

A significant part of this initiative features MARO, an innovative computerized mental health screening platform. MARO aids schools by pinpointing students who may require additional emotional support. Typically, comprehensive screening tools would impose a substantial financial burden on districts. However, the DuPage ROE, partnering with MARO and the West 40 Intermediate Service Center, has successfully secured funding, allowing all schools within Area 1—including DuPage and surrounding counties—to utilize this tool at no cost indefinitely.

Paula Kennedy, Director of School Culture and Climate at the DuPage Regional Office of Education, shared insight into the importance of this platform. “Schools interact with students daily and can often identify potential issues before anyone else. Providing access to a robust screening method without significant financial implications empowers schools to address students' needs promptly, connecting them with essential support services,” she explained.

In preparation for the Illinois State Board of Education's upcoming mandate for universal mental health screening in the 2027-2028 academic year, MARO's capabilities will significantly ease the implementation process. The computerized nature of the screening allows schools to conduct comprehensive assessments of all students efficiently, eliminating reliance on clinical staff to manage each screening individually.

To foster effective implementation of these initiatives, the DuPage ROE plans to offer a variety of supportive resources, including monthly webinars, structured guidance for implementation, templates for parental opt-out, and case studies from various districts. Such resources will aid schools in setting up their infrastructure for universal screening while bolstering their Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.

As the schools face increasing challenges such as student anxiety, depression, bullying, and school avoidance, it is critical to understand that social-emotional learning and mental health support are not supplementary to academics—they are intrinsic to creating an environment where students feel secure and engaged.

Kennedy encourages parents to reach out to their child’s school early when they have concerns. A collective approach involving teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators can help families access both school and community resources effectively before issues escalate into crises.

For families seeking further support, the state's BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) service is an invaluable resource. BEACON assists families in finding behavioral health services tailored to their child's specific needs, identifying local community resources and state-funded programs for which their children may qualify.

By enhancing student mental health resources and ensuring access to supportive tools, the DuPage Regional Office of Education is setting a robust foundation for a successful school year. As the initiative unfolds, its impact on students’ academic and emotional journeys will be closely monitored, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a conducive learning environment.