The PCPS Behavioral Mental Health department partners with schools to provide students with social, emotional, and behavioral services that strengthen resilience, improve academic outcomes, and support lifelong well‑being.

Our team collaborates closely with school staff to apply effective, individualized strategies that address a wide range of student needs. We help promote positive behavior, support mental health concerns, coordinate referrals, and provide targeted assistance for students requiring Tier III interventions.

We also work with schools and other departments to enhance the safety and well‑being of students, families, staff, and the broader community. By aligning prevention efforts, threat‑management practices, and response protocols, we help schools identify concerns early and create safe, supportive learning environments for all students.

 

Need Help?

Denisse Santos, Senior Director

863-965-5476

[email protected]

Behavior Support & Intervention

The Behavior Support and Intervention team partners with school staff to address challenging behaviors and promote positive, lasting growth by providing ongoing consultation, coaching, and problem‑solving support that helps implement effective, preventive strategies and create predictable, supportive learning environments. Each region’s Senior Manager–Behavior leads a team of Academic Behavior Support Teachers and Mental Health Facilitators who work collaboratively to support students, families, and schools.

Mental Health Support

The Mental Health Support team provides targeted social emotional support for students with intensive needs and connects families with school based and community mental health resources. We help schools build students’ resilience, emotional regulation, and coping skills to improve school climate. Each school has a mental health team—counselors, social workers, psychologists, and mental health facilitators—trained to support the whole child and link families to specialized community services when needed. Encourage your child to reach out to a trusted adult for support.

Senior Coordinator, Mental Health Sara Lemire Phone: 863-535-6487 ext: 523 [email protected]

Mental Health Resources and Support Groups

Role of Regional Behavior Support Team

If the School Leadership Team identifies student(s) engaging in dangerous, ongoing/resistant behaviors, they may reach out to the Division of Schools (DOS) team to request additional support. The DOS team may partner with the Regional Behavior Support Team (BST) to provide an additional layer of support for school teams, through training, student specific recommendations, and evaluations.

Private Instructional Providers (PIP)

Section 1003.572 of Florida Statutes indicates that private instructional personnel who are hired or contracted by parents to collaborate with public instructional personnel must be permitted to observe the student in the educational setting, collaborate with instructional personnel in the educational setting, and provide services in the educational setting according to the following requirements: The student’s public instructional personnel and principal consent to the time and place and the private instructional personnel satisfy the requirements of s. 1012.32 or 2. 1012.321. Applications are available at each school site.

  • Completed applications are submitted to the designated school contract.
  • The school contract verifies all supporting documentation is attached.
  • School contract forwards the completed packet to the Senior Manager - Behavior.
  • The Senior Manager-Behavior reviews the submitted packet and verifies packet is complete. Review may take up to 20 days.
  • Senior Manager will communicate with designated school contact to schedule a meeting with the parent, provider, and school administrator.

During the meeting, the team, led by the Senior Manager -Behavior, will determine what goals are being addressed by the outside provider and when during the school day the student requires this support. District policies related to confidentiality, physical restraint, and student supervision are also addressed.

Threat Management

Florida’s Harm and Prevention Threat Management Model uses a coordinated school and district level process. School Threat Management Teams identify concerning behaviors, assess risk with the state’s Threat Assessment Instrument, and develop supportive, non punitive interventions. At the district level, the District Threat Management Coordinator and team provide training, guidance, and technical assistance to ensure consistent, high quality practices. Together, this system promotes early intervention, student well being, and campus safety.


Here are the key components:

How Do I Report A Threat?

Reports may be made to:

  • Any school staff member
  • School Administrator
  • School Resource Deputy or local law enforcement agencies

If you see something, say something. Anyone can also report anonymously through FortifyFL Link available 24/7.

*** If Imminent danger, call 911 ***

All threats [written, verbal, or on social media] will be taken seriously. Threats will be assessed by the school based team in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.

Threats involving a weapon will be reported to law enforcement. If high risk, law enforcement may request a risk protection order (RPO). An RPO prevents individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms.