Funded through a grant from the US Department of Education, ARROW is an opportunity for the District of Columbia to launch recruitment and retention activities that build knowledge, skills, professional opportunities and job satisfaction for school behavioral health professionals to enter and remain in the workforce through collaboration with local education agencies (LEAs), District colleges and universities and school behavioral health organizations and partners. Learn more below:
Dive into Summer Learning with ARROW!
Join the first-ever Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce (ARROW) Back-to-School Learning Institute. This dynamic training series has been designed to help school-based behavioral health providers working in DC public and public charter schools to expand their therapeutic skills and toolboxes as they continue to support their students and school communities.
During the Back-to-School Learning Institute, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will offer trainings on:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Youth
- Suicide Assessment and Intervention
- Introduction to Play Therapy
- Introduction to Sand Tray Therapy
Please follow us on Eventbrite to stay informed training offerings and when registration opens. Fill out the interest form to be notified over the summer when these trainings will be available.
*Social work, psychology, and counseling continuing education units (CEUs) pending
Provider Stress and Wellness Coaching
OSSE's Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce (ARROW) program is pleased to announce the launch of Provider Stress and Wellness Coaching. This offering is for school-based behavioral health providers, i.e., school social workers, school psychologists, and counselors (school counselors and licensed counselors) and will consist of small group and individual wellness coaching sessions. Provider Stress and Wellness Coaching is an opportunity for ALL participating providers to receive coaching and skill development around thriving, flourishing, and enhancing personal wellbeing as they navigate supporting their students and school community.
If you are interested in receiving individual coaching, complete this application by Friday, June 28.
Group sessions are available to all, and you can register on Eventbrite at the links below:
Please see this flyer for session information and descriptions.
Counseling Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for participants who successfully complete individual and group sessions. Social Work and Psychology CEUs are pending.
Questions? Reach out to [email protected].
First Year Cadre
The ARROW First Year Cadre is for school-based behavioral health providers, i.e., school social workers, school psychologists and counselors (school counselors and licensed counselors), who are new to working in a school-based setting!
The First Year Cadre is an opportunity for providers in their first year working in a school-based setting to build foundational skills necessary to be successful in the school environment. Cohort 2 applications will be available in fall 2024. Please see this one pager for more information and the eligibility criteria.
Questions? Reach out to [email protected].
ARROW Career Center
The ARROW Career Center is a resource for aspiring school-based behavioral health providers in the District of Columbia to view internship and job postings and learn about what it is like to work in a DC public or public charter school. Please visit the ARROW Career Center here, and if you are a current or prospective school-based behavioral health provider or student/trainee, visit this page regularly for updates.
If you are a DC public or public charter local education agency (LEA) or school or a community-based organization (CBO) that provides school-based behavioral health services in partnership with the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), submit employment opportunities using this form: ARROW Career Center Submission Form.
Retention Bonus:
In acknowledgment of the tremendous commitment that District school-based behavioral health staff have shown in supporting the students, families and staff in DC public and public charter schools, OSSE is offering a one-time retention bonus of $1,000 to eligible school-based behavioral health providers employed by DC public and public charter schools and community-based organizations (CBO) that participate in the Comprehensive School Behavioral Health System and Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) School Behavioral Health Program.
Eligible providers include school-based psychologists, social workers and counselors who offer mental and behavioral health services in their school placement and have been employed as a school-based behavioral health provider in an eligible placement since Oct. 31, 2022. If you transitioned between eligible employers during that time, the lapse in employment may not exceed 30 days.
The application window of Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 has closed, and all submitted applications are under review. All applicants will be receiving qualification notifications soon.
If you have any questions, please review the FAQ page or email [email protected].
For more information about the Retention Bonus view the information session recording here.
DIFS Information Session:
View the DIFS Information Session recording HERE for more information about the next steps in the ARROW Retention Bonus Process. All DIFS registration documents are due by close of business Wednesday, April 3, 2024 and should be sent to [email protected].
If you have any questions regarding your DIFS paperwork, please email Ivana Thornton ([email protected]) or Alexis Williams ([email protected]).