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CAMHS and School Program (CAST)

The CAST program is a partnership program between CAMHS Grampians and DE&T (Central Highlands/Wimmera). Initially a three year pilot project, CAST is now a permanent service aimed at the prevention, early identification and treatment of difficult and disruptive behaviours in primary school aged children in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2. The program is funded by the Mental Health Branch of the Department of Human Services Victoria. The CAST model is a community model with the central goal to develop partnerships between key stakeholders, and associations with key others (agencies).

Thirty-four schools agreed to participate in the initial project. The Program is now being offered to other interested schools in the region and typically includes the following components:

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

POPULATION SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT

All children in grades prep to two are screened for difficult and disruptive behaviours. The screening will provide population estimates, as well as an understanding of the severity of behaviour difficulties. Families and children who have moderate to severe levels of problem behaviour will be offered more comprehensive assessment and treatment services as follows.

PARENTING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

The CAST program offers parenting support programs to all parents with children in primary school who have difficult behaviours. These programs are evidence based, offered within the school environment, and delivered with support to the family through the school infrastructure.

The CAST program also provides individual parenting support and can facilitate more intensive family support in collaboration with Ballarat Family Services and Wimmera Uniting Care. Families in greatest need will be provided with this level of individual support

CHILD SUPPORT

The CAST project works with children in small group formats within schools using evidence based treatments. The focus is on skill building in the key areas of problem solving, managing emotions, empathy, and developing social skills.

For children with more severe behaviour difficulties, individually tailored behaviour management plans will be developed with the teachers. These children may also receive a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist review and standard CAMHS biopsychosocial assessment.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR TEACHERS

An initial education and training package about difficult and disruptive behaviours is offered to raise awareness for all Primary school teachers in the region. More specific and targeted education occurs on a quarterly basis via CASTnet which includes the network of CAST schools in the region.

CLASSROOM STRATEGIES

These emphasise supporting teachers with problem solving and behaviour management strategies that can be integrated into classrooms.

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP

This is provided for teachers in the volunteering schools and is provided on an as-need or as-requested basis.

SMALL/REMOTE SCHOOL MODEL

In small and remote schools the typical CAST program model is not appropriate for the needs of the school community. Instead smaller schools benefit from a classroom-wide, whole school approach that incorporate components of the child program into the general curriculum. A more detailed outline of the small/remote school model can be obtained from contacting the CAST program on 03 5320 3030.

OUTCOMES

The key outcomes for the CAST program are:

1. Reduce symptomatology of disruptive and conduct disorders in primary school aged children
2. Equip parents with strategies for managing difficult and challenging behaviours
3. Enhance the capacity of teaching staff and others to identify and respond to difficult behaviours
4. Increase the knowledge and awareness within the school community
5. Improve the responsiveness of the service community to children with difficult and disruptive behaviours
6. Strengthen the partnership between CAMHS and DE&T
7. Strengthen the referral pathways between student support services staff and the mental health services.

REFERENCE GROUP

The CAST program is overseen by a community reference group comprising key stakeholders. The program is jointly managed by Kate Richardson and Dr Louise Hayes.

Any further queries may be directed to Kate Richardson or Louise Hayes on 5320 3030 or email kater@bhs.org.au or louiseha@bhs.org.au alternatively queries may be directed to Jim Bond, Manager Student Wellbeing DE&T, phone 5337 8484 or email bond.jim.r@edumail.vic.gov.au