Implementing Universal Social-Emotional Programs: A Step-by-Step Guide for Schools

Implementing Universal Social-Emotional Programs is a step-by-step guide for educators and school-based mental health professionals seeking to effectively select, employ, and evaluate universal social-emotional programs using implementation science. With one out of five children having diagnosable mental health challenges and many more of our youth developing social-emotional concerns, today’s schools must be able to effectively plan and implement evidence-based programs that promote social-emotional learning and positive academic outcomes. This book accompanies practitioners and graduate students in teaching, school psychology, counseling, social work, education, and administration through each stage of implementation science, common programs and screeners, the purpose and selection process of implementation teams, and schools’ expectations for fidelity, timeline, and budget. Throughout, the authors provide graphic organizers, diagrams, activities, exercises, vignettes, checklists, templates, charts, and other interactive features for active engagement.

Gary E. Schaffer is Graduate Professor of School Psychology and Counseling at Niagara University, USA, and was previously employed as a school psychologist across school, hospital, and state agency settings.

Stacy L. Bender is Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA, a licensed psychologist, health service psychologist, and nationally certified school psychologist.