Schools Archives - National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
Five Innovative Programs Supporting Black Students’ Mental Wellness
February 23, 2025 | NWI
A lack of mental health providers can hinder a Black student’s growth. These five organizations are showing up in and outside of schools.
Stories of Navigating Youth and Family Systems
January 13, 2025 | NWI
This podcast series features authentic stories shared by individuals who have navigated various youth and family systems. Each episode offers a unique perspective on their encounters within these systems and solutions to the challenges they faced.
What Exactly Is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)?
May 13, 2024 | NWI
Generally, SEL means gaining skills and knowledge in areas like working with others to achieve a common goal, using emotional self-regulation, and maintaining healthy relationships. Students who participate in school-based SEL interventions experience significantly improved prosocial behaviors, academic achievement and peer relationships. This article draws out the connections between SEL and student mental health.
Family Money Problems Impact Teen Mental Health
April 8, 2024 | NWI
New research shows that teens are acutely affected by economic conditions in their daily lives and understand their families’ circumstances. Family finances can vary over time, and the research found that when teenagers said their family was experiencing hardship, they were more likely to be depressed and to get in trouble at school.
Intervention Shows Success in Reducing Disparities in Suspension Rates
January 8, 2024 | NWI
Despite attempts to eliminate bias from school discipline policies, Black students continue to receive harsher punishments than White students for the same infractions. A new intervention, known as empathic discipline, has led to dramatic improvements by encouraging teachers to cultivate a growth mindset and respond with empathy when students act out.
Youth Perspectives on Designing Equitable Out-of-School-Time Programs
December 1, 2023 | NWI
A youth-led research project provides an indication of how young people from marginalized communities may experience out-of-school-time programming, including that they are sometimes treated differently because of race, gender identity, or other factors.
Bike Riding in Middle School May Boost Mental Health
October 30, 2023 | NWI
Teaching middle schoolers bike riding skills as part of physical education classes may help improve their mental health. That’s according to a new study that looked at the effects of a 6-8 week cycling class taught in schools across the U.S.
Navigating SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) with Older Youth
September 24, 2023 | NWI
While many SEL programs and much of the research to date have focused on elementary school-aged children, more recent research shows that middle and high school-aged youth can also show substantial benefits from explicit opportunities for social and emotional development. This blog explores the benefits of and enabling conditions for high-quality SEL programs for young people in middle and high school.
Training for Just a Few Teachers Could Cut Racial Discipline Gap in Half
September 24, 2023 | NWI
Students of color continue to be disciplined at higher rates than their white peers for the same behaviors. A new study suggests targeted teacher supports could significantly shrink discipline gaps. About 5 percent of teachers accounted for nearly 35 percent of all discipline referrals. These teachers sent a student to the office for discipline on average once every four days, while their colleagues referred fewer than one student for discipline, on average, every other month.
Training Marginalized Youth to Become Tomorrow’s Mental Health Care Providers
September 24, 2023 | NWI
This article describes a new pilot program that gives Los Angeles high schoolers from marginalized backgrounds a chance to explore careers in mental health.