Arizona Project Aware Districts Will Use bhworks Software Platform To Improve K-12 Student Behavioral And Mental Health Outcomes
Phoenix, AZ & Baltimore, MD — Arizona Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in
Education) districts now have the opportunity to use bhworks, the student mental health software
system from mdlogix, that allows school districts to work with parents in support of student mental
health needs through early identification, intervention, and referrals. This software provides school
sites the ability to use evidence-based intervention and identification tools. Early adopter pilot
districts, Baboquivari Unified School District (USD), Maricopa USD, and Roosevelt Elementary
School District (ESD) will integrate the technology in early 2023 preparatory for the 2023-24 school
year. This software pilot program has the potential to reach 16,000 students in 37 schools.
“The goal is to streamline student mental health supports and provide school mental health
professionals with a systematized process,” said Rebecca Astorga, MASEL, CHES, Project AWARE
grant manager, School Safety and Social Wellness Unit, Arizona Department of Education. “Project
AWARE supports a comprehensive school mental health system and bhworks can provide a
common platform for consistent best practices by school mental health professional throughout
Arizona.”
As a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Project AWARE grantee, cohort 2018 and 2021, the Arizona Department of Education and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid Agency, support districts in developing a sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services.
Each grant provides up to $9 million for a 5-year project period, with a minimum of 60% allocated to schools. Grantees are implementing mental health related promotion, awareness, prevention, interventions, and resilience activities to ensure that students have access and are connected to appropriate and effective mental and behavioral health services. SAMHSA’s goal is that Project AWARE will promote the healthy social and emotional development of school-aged youth and prevent youth violence in school settings.
Psychiatrist Allen Tien, MD, MHS, mdlogix president and chief science officer, said, “Team mdlogix is
excited to work with Arizona’s health and education leaders to improve student health using
technology. Our software platform is a comprehensive solution for web-based screening, referral,
continued assessment, outcome measures, data management, reporting, evaluation, and knowledge
generation.”
bhworks software is fully web-based, meets NIST 800-53 security specifications, and is a
scientifically-validated and proven technology with tools that manage:
• Parent and guardian electronic consent
• Referral to tiered school supports and community mental and behavioral health
providers
• Screening and Assessments – containing a standardized assessment process for
determining student needs
• Safety Planning
• Student Support Plan and Case Management – a coordination of services and
programs to support student success
• Data Dashboards monitor program effectiveness.
Arizona joins Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and other comprehensive school mental health systems across the country, to improve behavioral and mental health supports in schools through the implementation of bhworks.
The Arizona Department of Education advances equity and excellence for all students by serving school
leaders, educators and staff, collaborating with communities, and leading with data-driven best practices.
Project AWARE supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan of activities, services,
and strategies to decrease youth violence and support the healthy development of school-aged youth.
bhworks from mdlogix is behavioral and mental health software for use anywhere. We are on a mission with
our clients to improve behavioral health care together.
