Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a program that builds and expands the capacity of state educational agencies—in partnership with state mental health agencies—to do the following:

• Increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth
• Provide training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues
• Connect school-aged youth—who may have behavioral health issues—and their families to needed services

SC AWARE is a collaboration between the South Carolina Department of Education, SC Department of Mental Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Federation of Families (FFSC), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) consultant, Anderson School District 2, Florence 1 Schools, and Sumter School District.  This project is made possible by a federal grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Please use the following resources if you or someone you know is in crisis.
 

SC Mobile Crisis

SC Mobile Crisis is for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.  Local Mobile Crisis Teams assess the crisis and can respond on-site, with law enforcement, if appropriate.  SC Mobile Crisis is available 24/7/365, toll-free, statewide at (833) 364-2274.

Crisis Text Line

The Crisis Text Line is a nationwide resource for anyone in need of crisis assistance but who is not able or ready to call into a resource line.  South Carolina has its own code for the line.  South Carolinians can reach the Crisis Text Line 24/7, toll-free, by texting HOPE4SC to 741741.  Texts to this line do not use your data or show up on your phone bill.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is for anyone in need of crisis help.  The Lifeline is available 24/7, toll-free, nationwide, at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project specializes in supporting the LGBTQ community.  Trained counselors are available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment free place to talk.  Call 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678.
  The SC Department of Mental Health is seeking School Mental Health Professionals to serve in Anderson, Sumter, and Florence counties.  Apply online today!

• Mental Health Professional – Position Flyer

  Please see the following training opportunities in South Carolina:

• Ending the Silence – Mental health presentations coordinated by NAMI SC
• Go Lime Green: Mental Health Matters – Mental health awareness community events scheduled for the fall middle and high school football season coordinated by NAMI SC
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Train-the-Trainer – ACEs training events made possible by a partnership between the SC Department of Education and Children’s Trust SC
• SC Department of Mental Health – Office of Suicide Prevention - Various trainings offered throughout the year
• Federation of Families SC – Various trainings & community events offered throughout the year

 

Self-Care & Support

• SC Hopes – This support line is for all South Carolinians impacted by COVID-19 or any other associated stressors.  Anyone can call this line to be linked to resources for mental health or substance use treatment or other needs.  SC-HOPES is available 24/7, toll-free, at (844) SC-HOPES (724-6737).
• Refresh & Reclaim – Free boundaries and self-care workshop coordinated by NAMI

Screening & Assessment Resources for Social, Emotional, & Behavioral Health

• SC Department of Education Recommended Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screeners
• School Health Assessment & Performance Evaluation (SHAPE) System
• Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI)

Practice & Intervention Resources

• SC Department of Education Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Webpage
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
• Institute of Education Sciences (IES) What Works Clearinghouse
• National Center on Intensive Intervention

Technical Assistance Centers for Social, Emotional, & Behavioral Learning

• Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
• Mid-Atlantic PBIS Network
• National American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
• National Hispanic & Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
• South Carolina Association for Positive Behavior Supports (SCAPBS)
• Southeast Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
• School Mental Health Collaborative

Conferences

• Southeastern School Behavioral Health Conference

 

• SC AWARE Information Sheet
• SC AWARE 2020-21 Survey Brief
• SC AWARE Project Manager Lisa Spears presents during this Dec 8, 2021 webinar hosted by the U.S. Department of Education: Lessons from the Field – Addressing Student Behavioral Needs & Supporting Their Mental Health

 

SC Department of Education

Beatrice Cantu, Project Co-Coordinator
bcantu@ed.sc.gov
Gertrude Robinson, Project Co-Coordinator 
ghrobinson@ed.sc.gov

SC Department of Mental Health

Lanalle Darden, Project Co-Coordinator
andrea.darden@scdmh.org
 

Anderson 2 School District

Teresa Phillips, AWARE Project Manager
tphillips@asd2.org

Florence 1 School District

Jaime Mazaj, AWARE Project Manager
jaime.mazaj@fsd1.org

Sumter School District

Kathy Morrison, AWARE Project Manager
kathy.morrison@sumterschools.net

South Carolina Information Sheet