Student Outcomes of Integrative Mental Health Services

This project will implement and evaluate the Child STEPs (see Weisz et al., 2012) treatment
approach through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) at eight K-8 public schools. The STEPs
model has two components: (1) a modular protocol that combines 33 modules—i.e., descriptions
of common elements within evidence-based therapies for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic
stress, and conduct problems; and (2) a web-based system for monitoring student responses to
treatment and providing weekly feedback to therapists, to guide their selection and
sequencing of the STEPs modules. The project will include an evaluation of the effectiveness
of STEPS compared to "treatment as usual" (known as Usual Care or UC) on students' mental
health and school-related outcomes, and an analysis of whether changes in school outcomes are
mediated by changes in student mental health.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Enrolled in grades 3-7

2. Have a primary clinical problem in the areas of anxiety, depression, conduct, or
posttraumatic stress

3. Clinically elevated problem levels on the Internalizing, Externalizing,
Anxious-Depressed, Withdrawn-Depressed, Aggressive Behavior, or Rule-Breaking Behavior
scales of the Child Behavior Checklist or Youth Self-Report or on the UCLA
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Mental retardation

2. Pervasive developmental disorder

3. Eating disorders

4. Children for whom attention problems or hyperactivity are the primary referral concern

5. Active psychosis and/or a suicide attempt in the previous year