Behavioral Health Grants Awarded To 50 Wisconsin School Districts

Press Release

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Clinic Health System and Security Health Plan have announced b.e.s.t. grant recipients for the 2021-22 school year.

b.e.s.t. ® (Behavioral Emotional Social Traits) is an online screening tool that helps educators build the emotional health of school children by identifying students who may need additional positive behavioral support. Developed by school psychologist Eric P. Hartwig, Ph.D., the tool provides educators with recommended actions to take based on their behaviors.

Schools are able to create a more comprehensive approach to behavioral health when using the b.e.s.t. Universal Screener. “b.e.s.t. helps teachers understand the multiple factors that influence a child’s behavior,” said Hartwig. “And teachers have reported that matching b.e.s.t. interventions to a student’s needs in real time has been invaluable in optimizing student success in the classroom.” The b.e.s.t. Universal Screener uses observed student behaviors to recommend interventions for all students who can benefit.

“We are very pleased to partner with these outstanding school districts,” said Allison Machtan, director of community health for Marshfield Clinic Health System. “It’s been a really tough year for schools and students and their commitment to using b.e.s.t. Universal Screening in their districts speaks to the high value they place on the well-being of our children.”

In the 2021-22 school year, 140 schools in 40 counties will benefit from the grant, which provides technical support, bi-annual screenings for students, training, consultation and support. Marshfield Clinic Health System and Security Health Plan are supporting the implementation of b.e.s.t. during the 2021-2022 school year in the following districts: