CARE‑MTSS™

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Collaborative Actions for Responsive Education
"Building Sustainable Systems of Care"

 

CARE‑MTSS™ is a framework and assessment process to develop standards within care for mental health and social emotional learning within emerging and established MTSS frameworks. Created by Joshua Hendrickson, PHD, LCSW and his collaborators at Whole Child Mind Body Wellness LLC to bring clarity, collaboration, and action to the Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

It operationalizes mental health and social emotional learning within MTSS through:

• Collaborative – Teams of educators, mental health providers, students, administrators, and family partners work together.

• Actions – Concrete steps such as referral, assessment, progress monitoring, crisis response, and continuing education planning.

• Responsive – Decisions are continuously adapted based on data, student feedback, and family input.

• Education – Academic and social‑emotional growth are always at the center of the work.

 

CARE‑MTSS™ ensures that every decision is intentional, every team member’s role is clear, and every student receives timely and equitable support.

 

CARE‑MTSS™ and IMSEL

CARE‑MTSS™ is the process engine that drives the IMSEL model (Integrative Mental Health and Social‑Emotional Learning).
Where IMSEL provides the vision—trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, whole‑child practices—CARE‑MTSS™ provides the actions that bring that vision to life within school systems.

 

IMSEL Pillar CARE‑MTSS™ in Action

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Mental Health Supports- MTSS teams assign and monitor tiered counseling and interventions.

Social‑Emotional Learning-Teachers and counselors embed SEL strategies across tiers.

Trauma‑Informed Practices -Teams respond to crises and create individualized safety and continuing learning plans.

Educator Wellness -Shared decision‑making and clear processes reduce staff stress.

Culturally Responsive Strategies- Families are active partners; data and plans are equity‑centered.

 

Why It Matters

• Clear Roles: Every team member knows when they are Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, or Informed.

• Proactive Teamwork: Interventions are coordinated early and revisited often.

• Student‑Centered: Decisions are guided by what best supports learning, well‑being, and family engagement.

 

CARE‑MTSS™ builds sustainable systems of care that last beyond a single year or initiative, creating continuity and growth for students and staff alike.

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About Whole Child Mind Body Wellness LLC

Whole Child Mind Body Wellness LLC is dedicated to advancing integrative, trauma‑informed, and culturally responsive practices in schools and communities. Through frameworks like CARE‑MTSS™ and IMSEL, we partner with educators and leaders to create lasting change.