Congratulations to the 2023 School Mental Health Awardees!

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Subject: Congratulations to the 2023 School Mental Health Awardees!

Dear Colleague,

We are writing to expression our sincere gratitude for and congratulations to our 2023 School Mental Health award winners! These outstanding individuals and organizations were honored yesterday at our conference in New Orleans, LA.

Juanita Cunningham Evans Memorial Awardee

Julie Goldstein Grumet, PhD

Introduction from Sharon Hoover, PhD

Dr. Goldstein Grumet is Vice President for Suicide Prevention Strategy and the Director of the Zero Suicide Institute at the Education Development Center. Dr. Goldstein Grumet’s primary responsibility is to advance the development, dissemination, and effective implementation of comprehensive suicide care practices in various settings, including schools. Dr. Goldstein Grumet received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University and then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for School Mental Health over two decades ago! It was during these early years that I had the pleasure of working personally with Dr. Goldstein Grumet as she trained school-based health center providers to better integrate mental health competencies into their primary health care practice. Something that was apparent to me then and that has remained consistent in her work over the years is that she does the work in an understated fashion, humble and gracious in her approach, but always available and responsive to any and all requests to share her expertise and resources. Over the past 25 years, Dr. Goldstein Grumet has gained significant expertise in behavioral health transformation, state and local community suicide prevention, quality improvement, and the use of evidence-based practices for suicide care in clinical settings. In her current role, she provides strategic direction to health care systems to improve the identification and treatment for people at risk for suicide. She translates complex topics into engaging and impactful resources for health care leaders, school leaders, and others. She has also collaborated on numerous grants and publications about systems-based approaches to suicide prevention. Especially at this moment in time as we need to ramp up suicide prevention efforts in our nation, we are so delighted to acknowledge. Dr. Goldstein Grumet’s tireless efforts in this arena.

School Mental Health Champion Awardee

Ayada Bonilla, MEd

Introduction from Brittany Patterson, PhD

Ayada Bonilla is the School-Based Behavioral Health (SBBH) Educational Specialist in the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (DOE) Office of Student Support Services and is described as a kind and generous force in the nomination letter. She is passionate about improving the emotional and behavioral health of Hawai‘i students and worked tirelessly to develop an infrastructure that values evidence-based practice and data-based decision-making. Earlier in the year, she led a radical overhaul of the DOE’s service log system (analogous to an electronic health record for students) that utilizes research-informed practice elements and treatment target language to better align with other agencies within the state system of care. Her efforts catalyzed changes that major system leaders had been envisioning for years.

Additionally, Ayada has and continues to lead the way for providing evidence-based school mental health services and supports to our youth and families devasted by the Lahaina wildfires several months ago. This, in and of itself, is a gigantic and never-ending task, requiring coordination and partnership with numerous federal and state emergency, mental health services, and educational entities. Ayada, thank you for your courageous and tireless commitment to advancing school mental health in Hawai’i!

School Mental Health Research Awardee

Ron Avi Astor, PhD

Introduction from Sam Reaves, PhD

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Astor for the first time yesterday and it was immediately clear why he received several nominations from his colleagues he is warm, inspiring, supportive, and he does some fancy research stuff including hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, with 1000s of citations, millions in grant money to make schools safer, and policy work to bring more school mental health staff to underserved areas. His work and passion for social justice extends beyond our borders as he supports schools in the middle east. Here are a few quotes from his colleagues: Ron is truly a leader and has changed the school mental health field with his groundbreaking research on school safety and violence. Ron literally wrote the book (indeed, more than one) on these topics. And one final one to close because she says it better than I could… Another critically important contribution Ron has made to the SMH field is his mentorship of multiple younger researchers. While I no longer count myself as young, I am fortunate to have been able to look to Ron as a model and mentor throughout my career. And I am not alone. His CV features several lead-authored, peer-reviewed articles written by junior scholars with whom he worked as an academic advisor, but also other individuals with whom he connected in our field. Ron's personable, hands-on guidance of rising scholars has created momentum for future generations of SMH scholarship. I cannot think of anyone in the SMH field who has had more far-reaching, influential, longstanding impact than Ron Astor. He is an inspiration to us all, and most worthy of the School Mental Health Research Award.

Youth & Family Partnership Awardee

Ron Avi Astor, PhD

Introduction from Taneisha Carter, MA

Rise Recovery is a leading nonprofit in San Antonio, TX that focuses on youth drug and alcohol counseling, prevention, and awareness. Led by CEO Evita Morin, their staff employs a peer support model, utilizing lived experiences to help youth initiate, support, and maintain recovery from substance use disorders. Services include counseling, peer support groups, family approaches, social activities, education and employment support, and a Youth Leadership Program. The program's success has expanded to other local districts, exemplifying Rise Recovery's impactful grassroots efforts. Additionally, they have recently opened Rise Inspire Academy, the only recovery high school in South Texas. Rise Recovery exemplifies the essence of the Youth and Family Partnership Award, embodying the spirit of collaboration, advocacy, and transformation. Today, we celebrate their remarkable youth partnership achievements and the lasting impact they have on the San Antonio community.

-The National Center for School Mental Health

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Subject: Congratulations to the 2023 School Mental Health Awardees!