Behavioral Health in Education Resources and Opportunities Technical Assistance Center (B-HERO)
Mission
To engage K-12 Behavioral Health Resource Coordinators in training, technical assistance, and opportunities to facilitate connections.  
Vision
All school personnel will develop the knowledge and skills to support the health and wellbeing of every student and family. 
WHAT HELPS US! 
Demands on school personnel are real—this school year, more than ever. Between managing multiple learning platforms, cleaning between bells, and facilitating instruction in socially distanced spaces, school personnel are experiencing stress. B-HERO aims to elevate what helps school personnel manage stress by highlighting stories created by school personnel for school personnel. 
Here's Angela Erickson, Behavior Strategist at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Mandan, to share what helps her manage school stress. 
SECURE YOUR OWN
MASK FIRST! 
STRESS MANAGEMENT 
STRATEGY FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL 
Your breath is a powerful tool to ease stress and make you feel less anxious.                                          

By taking one minute to slow down and control our breathing, our brains receive a signal that we are safe, and in a space to come out of “survival mode” – where many of us function in day-to-day life. The more we do this, the more grounded we can feel in our tasks and work. 
 
It can be as easy as using the "breathing box" visual below and following these prompts: 
1) Breathe in for a count of 4, 
2) Hold for a count of 4,  
3) Breathe out for a count of 4,  
4) Hold for a count of 4,  
5) Repeat! 
 
Find more tips on breathing techniques here: Stress Response and Breathing Techniques


CAREGIVERS ARE
KEY!
FAMILY SUPPORT STRATEGY 
As children grow, stresses and pressures of life become more apparent; changing bodies, more challenging school curricula, and relationships with peers are all stressors for growing kids. 
 
As a caregiver, it can be difficult to understand how children may show signs of stress through their behavior, particularly 
because children may have difficulty expressing what they are feeling and experiencing. School personnel can be instrumental in helping caregivers be aware of and understand how children may show signs of stress through their behavior. 
 
For information on identifying stress in young children and teens, see this guide from Parents Lead: https://prevention.nd.gov/files/pdf/parentslead/IdentifyingSignsStress_0.pdf 
Parents Lead is an evidence-based prevention program providing parents and caregivers with supports for creating safe environments for children that promote behavioral health. It was developed with collaboration from the ND Department of Human Services, ND Department of Transportation, and the ND University System. For more information, visit parentslead.org. 
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCE COORDINATOR
TIPS & TRICKS 
School Leaders are critical in empowering School Personnel to thrive in their roles. Although it is new, the role of Behavioral Health Resource Coordinator (BHRC) is no different. Because BHRCs serve as the primary liaison between the school and the B-HERO Technical Assistance Center, together, you as BHRC and your School Leaders can strive to understand and articulate BHRC expectations, roles, and responsibilities as they relate to the vision for your school community.   
 
Key talking points:  
  • The B-HERO Technical Assistance Center is a collaboration between the Department of Human Services – Behavioral Health Division and the Central Regional Education Association designed to “Engage K-12 Behavioral Health Resource Coordinators (BHRCs) in training, technical assistance and opportunities to facilitate connections.” 
  • Resources are currently being shared on a weekly basis, as a starting point. 
  • Current resources emphasize school personnel stress management, strategies for connecting families with community-based resources or other supports, and assistance with establishing the BHRC role. 

Additional questions to start thinking about, discussing, and building upon: 
  • How do school leaders want to be kept informed of resources and opportunities received?  
  • How might the resources received best be shared with key stakeholders? 

Ready – Set – Share! 

The Behavioral Health in Education Resources and Opportunities Technical Assistance Center is a collaboration between the North Dakota Department of Human Services: Behavioral Health Division and the Central Regional Education Association. 
If you are no longer serving in the role of the Behavioral Health Resource Coordinator, know the name/email of the educator who is serving as the BHRC, or have transitioned to another school since Spring of 2019, please inform Melissa Spelchen via email at melissa.spelchen@k12.nd.us at your earliest convenience. 
 
Project Renew provides FREE & anonymous support services.
Call 701-223-1510 to talk with a trained counselor.