ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of tiered systems of support in schools as a framework for delivering mental health services. It provides a basic understanding of how tiered models work, including a description of each of the three tiers, the benefits of using a tiered model to deliver mental health services in schools, the importance of working collaboratively to deliver services, and methods for matching students to appropriate tiers of support based on their needs. Schools using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to address youth mental health concerns can realize several economic and social benefits by proactively identifying students' psychological needs and matching them to services along the continuum of care. The Interconnected Systems Framework is an increasingly popular approach for enhancing and scaling up SMH by building on the foundations of SWPBIS, a multi-tiered prevention framework implemented across all 50 states. Universal screening approaches most commonly used to include broadband measures, narrowband measures, and multiple-gating procedures.
