Beginning in the 2027–28 school year, Illinois school districts must offer mental health screening at least once a year to students in grades 3–12.
For schools, preparing involves more than selecting a screener. Who will help plan the process? How will families be informed? What support will be available when a student needs follow-up?
ROE26’s Area 3 SEL Hub Coach, Kate Mallory, is helping area schools work through those questions using the Illinois State Board of Education's updated guidance and a readiness checklist. The checklist helps teams identify what they already have in place and where they need to plan further, from communication and procedures to referrals and connections with existing MTSS supports.
Kate is also bringing principals and student support professionals together for a UMHS Guidance & Readiness conversation on October 14. The goal is to give schools a place to ask questions, learn from one another, and leave with clearer next steps for their own districts. Schools do not need to have every answer yet; this is the time to begin planning together.
For more information on this support, please reach out to Kate Mallory at [email protected] or 309-306-1661.