School behavioral health professionals honored
School employees who support the mental health of Delaware students are being recognized for their work. The state will name its first Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year this year.
In all, 17 school districts and the Delaware Charter School Network named local Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2022. Following an application and interview process, one of those 18 will be named the state honoree.
“I am grateful that through this new recognition program, we now have a way to spotlight the critical support these employees provide to our students and families,” said Mark Holodick, Delaware Department of Education secretary. “Due to the nature of their work, these professionals build close, trust-dependent relationships. They help students and families navigate challenges and find the supports they need so they can be healthy and successful in school and life. The trauma and challenges our students and families experienced through COVID-19 have only grown our state’s already great need for this work. Behavioral health professionals are critical to the success of our schools and communities.”
The Behavioral Health Professional program is designed to recognize outstanding service by school employees who are healthcare practitioners or human service providers offering services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. Such employees include school counselors and social workers, licensed clinical social workers, school psychologists, licensed professional mental health counselors and school nurses. This is a new award recently established by state legislation and coordinated by the Delaware Department of Education.
From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to be honored as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of their students.
The 2022 Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year from local schools include Cape Henlopen School District: Felicia Kaas, school psychologist, Shields Elementary School; Indian River School District: Amy Goodhue, clinical counselor, Long Neck Elementary School; Milford School District: Rosa DiPiazza, school psychologist, Mispillion Elementary School; and Sussex Technical School District: Michael Firch, school counselor, Sussex Technical High School.
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