Since 1991 the Coordinated Children’s Services Initiative of the MCOMH has partnered with two local school districts (Rochester and Spencerport), Monroe # 1 and 2 BOCES and Hillside Children’s Center to implement the practices of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in local schools.

PBIS is a U.S. Department of Education (Office of Special Education Programs) sanctioned model designed to prevent and respond to school and classroom discipline problems, via school-wide systems that support staff to teach and promote positive behavior in all students. To date, 25 local schools and programs have been fully trained in all levels of the model (including wraparound interventions) and have enacted implementation strategies. Programs in the project cover the range of school options in the community, including elementary, middle and high schools, alternative education programs, mental health day treatment and residential programs.

The project has an established Administrative Team staffed by executive level representatives from each entity and a Coaches Team staffed by line level staff responsible for championing the effort in each district and building. Both groups meet regularly to ensure quality implementation of the model.

The project is closely linked to the NYS Education Department and Office of Mental Health’s statewide PBIS initiative that supports implementation of the model in pilot sites statewide.

Online Information

Learn more at New York State PBIS or PBIS.org.