A $1.2 million federal grant will allow the Lawrence public school district to analyze why its classrooms for mentally ill elementary students work so well, officials said Tuesday.
"The government wants to learn more about what we do so these things can be implemented in other districts," said Joe Nyre, assistant director of special services for the Lawrence district.
A three-year research study will involve Kansas University's clinical psychology program and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.
The district opened its first therapeutic classroom in 1997. Currently, a maximum of 18 students receive intensive, daily therapy in two programs at Quail Run School and one program at Cordley School. These students have been diagnosed with critical mental health needs. They spend half a day with therapists at a cluster school and the remainder of the day in their neighborhood school.
"Districts all over the country are struggling to find a way to help these children," said Doug Eicher, the district's executive director of special services.
Students in the district's program either have been patients in a psychiatric hospital or have mental health needs that render them unable to concentrate on academics. Only 15 percent of students in the program have been rehospitalized, Nyre said.
"The grant is designed to allow ... an exhaustive study of the factors leading to our 85 percent success rate," he said.
He said KU doctoral students are hired by the district to provide therapy services. A key to success is that counseling is offered in a school setting rather than in a hospital or office. Therapists also consult frequently with parents, teachers and child care providers.
Collaborating with Nyre on the research project are Eric Vernberg and Mike Roberts, both of the KU faculty. The grant will be funneled through KU.
Nyre said the Lawrence district's program would be highlighted next week at a state conference on mental health issues influencing public schools.
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