Provide a multidisciplinary student assistance team individualized to assist each student experiencing problems (educational, behavioral, developmental, or any health- or safety-related problem). At a minimum, include a school nurse, mental health professional, the student's teachers, and school administrator on the team.

Multidisciplinary student assistance teams are essential if educational staff are to understand all potential health and social causes that may be contributing to a student's academic and behavior problems and if they are to achieve resolutions that can lead to improved student performance.

Student assistance teams are known by many different names. "Student study teams" and "site consultation teams" are other examples. Parents are typically invited to be a part of the team when their child's concerns are being addressed. The student is also invited when appropriate.

A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to address problems with a student's learning, ability to attend to academics, attendance, social problems, emotional problems, misbehavior, unaddressed medical needs, and other health-related problems. As many educational, peer relationship, and student behavior problems are associated with health and safety issues, health and mental health personnel need to be an integral part of schools' multidisciplinary team approach.

Adelman HS. School-linked mental health interventions: Toward mechanisms for service coordination and integration. J Comm Psychol. 1993;21:309-319.

Rosenblum L, DiCecco M, Taylor L, Adelman H. Upgrading school support programs through collaboration: Resource Coordination Teams. Social Work in Education. 1995;17:117-124.