SBIRT in Schools

About SBIRT in Schools

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) focuses on prevention, early detection, risk assessment, brief counseling and referral for assessment that can be utilized in the school setting. Use of a validated screening tool will enable school health teams to detect risk for substance use related problems and brief intervention strategies will help to address these concerns at an early stage in adolescents.

Legislation Mandating SBIRT in Schools

In March, 2016, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted an Act relative to substance use, treatment, education and prevention (STEP Act) which outlines the requirements for public schools in the Commonwealth to engage in substance use screening and education. Legislation can be found at https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2016/Chapter52 (see Sections 15, 63, 64, 66).

SBIRT in Schools Training and Support

The MA Department of Public Health School Health Services is providing skills and implementation training to assist school districts in successfully incorporating SBIRT into schools.
See below to register or request a training in your district.

For questions:

Caitlin Pettengill, DNP, RN
Assistant Director of School Health Services
MA Department of Public Health
caitlin.pettengill@state.ma.us
781-493-4260

Training Resources:

MDPH School Health Unit in collaboration with the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services is offering trainings to assist school personnel to implement SBIRT in Schools. The training offerings for the 2019-20 School Year are: 

• SBIRT in Schools: Introduction to Identifying and Addressing Substance Use (online course + 4.5 hours)- This course introduces learners to SBIRT in Schools programs and how to apply best practices in screening, reinforcing healthy choices, and intervening when students report unhealthy substance use. It includes both live classroom and online training content. Health professionals seeking contact hours and nurses seeking licensure as school nurses must complete all components of this course including:
  1. The online portion of this course describes the impact of substance use on teens, regulatory requirements for conducting verbal substance use screenings in schools, and key elements of the SBIRT in Schools program.
  2. The in-person workshop allows learners to practice SBIRT skills including screening, providing positive reinforcement, conducting brief negotiated interviews using Motivational Interviewing principles, and making referrals.

  This introductory offering is for school professionals who have not yet attended an Introduction to SBIRT Workshop. There is no “Train the Trainer” model for SBIRT in Schools and all those participating in SBIRT should attend.

  Visit the SHIELD website for access to the online training and registration for the in-person workshop.

• SBIRT in Schools: Implementation Essentials (3 hours)- This SBIRT skill building workshop is designed for school health personnel who will be directly involved in implementing SBIRT in their schools. Participants will enhance their skills in conducting Brief Negotiated Interviews (BNI) using Motivational Interviewing (MI) concepts, conducting healthy behavior reinforcement conversations, and performing referrals during the SBIRT process. Challenges identified in a school district’s implementation planning will be discussed and solutions developed. For districts/individuals who have not implemented SBIRT previously.
  Prerequisite: Participants must have attended a six-hour Introduction to SBIRT Workshop to register for this course.
  Visit www.masbirt.org/training-request to request a training for your school/district.
   

• SBIRT in Schools: Mastering SBIRT (3 hours)- Mastering SBIRT Workshop is a newly developed 3 hour long skills training to increase confidence and skills in responding to the CRAFFT-II screening results using Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques.  The training includes discussion and practice of the REACT model for reinforcement of healthy decisions (negative CRAFFT screening) and the Brief Negotiated Interview model to be used for discussion with those students who screen positive for substance use. Discussion about referral, consent and confidentiality as well as a closer look about how to talk to teens about substances will be included. For districts/individuals who have implemented SBIRT previously.
  Prerequisite: Participants must have attended a six-hour Introduction to SBIRT Workshop to register for this course.
  Visit www.masbirt.org/training-request to request a training for your school/district.

  NOTE: Attendance at the Implementation Essentials or Mastering SBIRT courses DOES NOT replace SBIRT in Schools Training: Introduction to Identifying and Addressing Substance Use requirement for DESE licensure for school nurses or the training requirement for school health personnel involved in SBIRT screening. 

• BSAS Office of Youth and Young Adult Services Trainings- The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services Office of Youth and Young Adult Services (OYYAS) facilitates a variety of statewide substance use trainings for adults working with youth and young adults. 

     For current training opportunities please visit BSAS Training Calendar.  

Register for Introductory training at www.shield-bu.org

Request training or technical assistance

To request a Mastering SBIRT or Implementation Essentials training, complete a request form by clicking HERE.
MASBIRT TTA is also available for consultation by request if there are specific technical assistance needs of your district. Submit an online request for a consultation HERE.

Attend an adolescent-focused training

BSAS OYYAS facilitates a variety of statewide substance use trainings for adults working with youth and young adults. Find out more HERE.

DPH & DESE Guidelines and Recommendations:

DESE Office of Student and Family Support Guidance: 

State Requirement for Districts to Implement a Substance Use Related Verbal Screening Tool guidance can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/safety/verbalscreening.html

SBIRT in Schools: FAQs

This Frequently Asked Questions document has been prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), in consultation with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in an effort to answer the questions that arise after attendance at SBIRT training sessions. SBIRT in Schools: FAQ

SBIRT in Schools: Toolkit (New resource!)

A toolkit has been developed to provide streamlined information for the implementaiton of SBIRT in Schools. It is now available on the SHIELD website under the Laws, Regulations and Guidelines section or by clicking HERE.