Darien Public Schools To Hire Director Of Mental Health

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Board of Education on Tuesday night voted to approve the hiring of a director of mental health.

The board voted five in favor with two abstentions. There was no debate.

This was the third time the board discussed the idea of adding the position, which was recommended in August by Superintendent of Darien Public Schools Dr. Allan Addley following the the unexpected deaths of three students last school year — two of which were by suicide.

Some board members originally balked at the idea, questioning if the position strictly satisfied statutory requirements from the state.

But the idea gained support earlier this month after the job description was better defined.

Addley reiterated on Tuesday that the role will help address needs in the district related to mental health while also satisfying regulatory requirements from the state.

According to the job summary, the mental health director will:

Identify critical mental health issues for students, families and staff and provide oversight and implementation of clinically sound behavioral health and community support services while ensuring the application and growth of evidenced based practices in the area of behavioral health in schools.

The Director of Mental Health will also serve as the instructional leader in the areas of social emotional learning and will serve as the District’s Safe School Climate Coordinator and Family Care Coordinator. The Director of Mental Health will also support the statutorily-required Mental Health Plan for Student Athletes (required as of July 1, 2023).

School officials have described the role of the director of mental health as a "thread" or "spiral" that will run through each school in Darien, coordinating mental health efforts and bringing mental health supporters together, like counselors, social workers, psychologists, outside agencies, families and the community.

During a meeting on Sept. 13, Dr. Christopher Tranberg, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said the director of mental health position will also focus on school climate.

John Raskopf, a student representative to the board of education, said at the meeting on Sept. 13 that focusing on climate would be meaningful, otherwise he believes students wouldn't be receptive.

On Tuesday, board member Dennis Maroney wondered if one person could focus on changing school climate while also collaborating and coordinating mental health efforts.

Shirley Klein, assistant superintendent of special education and student services, said there's a nexus between the two.

"Changing climate might be a different way of saying, really, developing support systems for students where they really learn how to support a healthy climate and wellness for each other within our school community and the outside community," she said.

The district will have to make budget transfers to fund the position.