In the last issue, we highlighted the importance of developing systems at a school for problem identification, triage, referral, and management of care. Below we provide more detail on school-based teams for case management, or as we prefer, management of care. A strong emphasis is given to the value of teachers as key team members. As additional services are implemented, the role of teachers as primary interveners often is not capitalized upon. This is especially likely when teachers are not collaborative members of teams to manage care.
Teachers are part of many committees and teams at a school.
And, there is a role for teachers on school-based teams for management of care. This is not to say that all teachers can or should be included. Some teachers, however, want to participate, and their collaborative efforts are invaluable. In coming years, more and more of this information will be entered into computers to facilitate retrieval and assist in other ways with client care. Besides monitoring processes and outcomes, management of care also involves changing interventions as necessary.