NASBHC's mission is to
improve the health status
of children and youth
by advancing and advocating
for school-based health care
1100 G Street, NW, Suite 735
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 638-5872
Fax: (202)638-5879
Email: info@nasbhc.org
CFC#: 64337
Mental Health Planning and Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the MHPET?
- Why Should I Use the MHPET?
- I do not work for a school-based health center (SBHC) – is that OK
- How do I know if we ready to use the MHPET?
- Does the MHPET have to be completed as a team?
- What is the role of the team leader?
- What is a NASBHC ID number?
- I’ve logged onto the assessment tool, now what?
- What do “sets” and “scores” mean?
- Who is going to see the scores?
- How will NASBHC use information from the MHPET?
- Are there resources to help with action planning?
- How can I find the MHPET resources?
- Why is it recommended that we complete the MHPET twice?
- How long should a team wait before completing Set II?
- Does the same team have to complete both sets?
MHPET is the Mental Health Planning and Evaluation Template. The MHPET is a tool to systematically assess and improve the quality of mental health services delivered within school-based settings.
The MHPET should be used to enhance the quality and effectiveness of mental health services in schools. It can also be helpful in planning, increasing efficiencies, and assuring the sustainability of services. The MHPET saves time by offering guided stakeholder feedback that can help a school define what quality school mental health should look like. It is a tool intended to support those stakeholders involved in organizing and delivering school-based mental health services. The MHPET offers transparency and an honest understanding of both strengths and growth areas which is essential to an improvement process. The MHPET is not intended to be used for external oversight, for staff performance appraisals, or to make decisions about funding.
I do not work for a school-based health center (SBHC) – is that OK?
Yes. The MHPET can be used in evaluating activities and services across the field of school-based mental health including, but not limited to, school-based health centers. The MHPET can be used by a school or an organization/program that provides mental health services in the school setting. It can also be used for new or established school mental health programs. For organizations that sponsor programs in multiple schools, it is recommended that the MHPET assessment is completed separately for each school in order to account for each program’s unique characteristics.
How do I know if we ready to use the MHPET?
It is recommended that the following conditions are in place prior to completing the MHPET:
- The activities and services to be evaluated have the support of the sponsoring organization and the school and community being served.
- It is not the sole responsibility of mental health service providers to achieve the indicators but rather the shared responsibility of the providers, sponsoring organization, school, family, community, and youth partners.
- If evaluating the mental health services within an SBHC, the SBHC should have adopted the NASBHC Principles and Goals of School-Based Health Care.
Yes. The MHPET must be completed by a team of three to eight people. This team can consist of anyone familiar with or interested in the mental health services in the designated school. This may include both school employees and staff from outside agencies. It is helpful to include a diverse group of the following: mental health providers, program managers, health care providers (e.g. nurse practitioner, school nurse), school staff (e.g. counselors, teachers, administrators), families, and youth.
What is the role of the team leader?
Each team must have a team leader who is responsible for notifying other team members about how to access the MHPET, reminding team members to complete the tool in a timely manner, and closing out the MHPET once all team members have completed it. The team leader is also responsible for convening the team to discuss the results, set improvement targets, and develop and implement action plans. The team leader must complete the MHPET in order for other team members to access it.
The NASBHC ID number is an assigned number used to log onto the MHPET. Each team member must have his/her own NASBHC ID to log onto the survey. If the team member does not have this ID, s/he should call 202-638-5872 or 888-286-8727 to get an ID number. In order to protect confidentiality, NASBHC will only release ID numbers to that individual.
I’ve logged onto the assessment tool, now what?
When logging onto the MHPET for the first time, each team member will need to select or add his/her program. Directions for this process are provided. Once this is completed, click on the “start survey” link (or “continue survey” if returning to the site) to complete the MHPET.
What do “sets” and “scores” mean?
The MHPET is completed online in two “sets.” First, team members individually complete the MHPET (Set One) and, as a team, they review their aggregate scores. Based on the results of Set One, the team determines target areas for improvement and develops and implements an action plan. Aggregate team scores of three or less indicate areas that may be targeted for improvement. Three to six months later, team members complete the MHPET again (Set Two). The team then compares Set Two scores to Set One scores to see whether their have been improvements or changes in the school mental health programs and services.
Who is going to see the scores?
Individual scores are confidential and are only viewable to the team member who entered them. The team leader will only be able to see aggregate team scores which they can share with others. While NASBHC will be able to view scores; we will not share any identifying information when using data.
How will NASBHC use information from the MHPET?
NASBHC may use data from the MHPET to enhance our programmatic activities related to training and technical assistance, evaluation, and advocacy. We will not share any identifying information when using data.
Are there resources to help with action planning?
MHPET resources are available to support your work in school mental health. For each of the thirty-four indicators on the MHPET, there is a corresponding resource page that contains a rationale for why the topic is important, a description of the topic, a set of recommended strategies related to the topic, and additional resources and references.
How can I find the MHPET resources?
Resources may be accessed from the results sheet which is available after the entire team has completed the MHPET. Resources can also be accessed by (1) going directly to the MHPET resources page at www.nasbhc.org/mhpetresources or (2) clicking on the “MHPET Resources” blue button at the top, right side of the MHPET home page (www.nasbhc.org/mhpet).
Why is it recommended that we complete the MHPET twice?
The purpose of the MHPET is to improve quality of school mental health programs and services. Therefore, by comparing two sets of scores, a team has the opportunity to see the impact of their quality improvement activities (i.e. action planning) on school mental health programs and services.
How long should a team wait before completing Set II?
Three to six months.
Does the same team have to complete both sets?
If possible, the same team should complete both sets of the MHPET. However, if those individuals cannot be a part of the team for Set Two, an attempt should be made to have the same number of individuals, in similar roles, represented on the team.