TCSS Newsletter

December 2024 - January 2025

Event Spotlight & Recap

Stronger Connections Grant (SCG) Student Support Framework Training

SCG teams attended the Student Support Framework (SSF) overview training this fall, where they received an opportunity to level-set on the levers and essential actions included in the framework.

The training lays the foundation for upcoming grant initiatives, including the SCG Diagnostic. Teams can utilize the SSF Readiness Check to prepare for the SSF diagnostic. This optional tool is available for SCG districts. The tool facilitates a review of current processes, systems, and practices related to the SSF Levers: Mental and Behavioral Health, Student and Staff Safety, Physical Health and Wellness, Supportive Discipline, and Climate and Culture.

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SCG Readiness Check.pdf

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Winter Roadshow

The Winter Roadshow is on its way! TCSS is traveling to each regional education service center during the months of January and February. Stronger Connections Grant (SCG) teams will receive training on the SCG Diagnostic. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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Winter ESC Roadshow Dates and Registration Links.pdf

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SCG/ESC Spotlight:

Region 16

Region 4

Region 1

Region 13

Reigon 11 and Mission CISD Work in Action for TCSS

Region 1 - Mission CISD

Region 6

Region 20

Upcoming Events

Stronger Connections Grant LEAs

January 1: FOI Quarter 3 begins
January 6-15: FOI Quarter 2 submission window
February 24 - April 17: SCG Diagnostic results submission window

January/February - Winter Roadshow/SCG Diagnostic training.

SCG LEAs can begin the diagnostic process after the winter roadshow meeting. Please contact your ESC lead if you need assistance with the diagnostic.

Conduct a SCG Advisory Committee meeting in January or February.

Advisory Committee Guidelines

Student Support Team (SST) Rollout

SCG ESC Leads

January 1: FOI Quarter 3 begins
January 7: ESC Lead PLC @ 9:00 a.m.
January 21: ESC Lead Coffee Chat @ 9:00 a.m.
January 27-February 7: FOI Quarter 2 check-in window
February 25: ESC Lead Coffee Chat @ 9:00 a.m.
March 11: ESC Lead PLC @ 9:00 a.m.
March 25: ESC Lead Coffee Chat @ 9:00 a.m.
March 31-April 2: ESC Lead TOT PFE Playbook Training in Dallas

Technical Assistance

Post-climate survey results review and goal-setting.
Assitance to SCG districts as requested for the SCG Diagnostic.
Bi-monthly SCG Advisory Committee support as requested.
Conduct FOI Quarter 2 check-in meetings with SCG LEAs

Advisory Group

January 14: TCSS Advisory Group meeting in Austin
February 24: Student Task Force meeting with Dell City
March 18: TCSS Advisory Group meeting in Dallas

TEA Updates:

SCG awardees now have access to the optional nonacademic needs tracker to begin collecting information on student support referrals. As a reminder, all SCG awardees are required to submit the nonacademic needs Qualtrics survey beginning January 2025, but not all awardees may choose to utilize the corresponding optional tracker. This nonacademic needs tracking tool can be found in the SCG locker as well as a webinar recording with a demonstration of use.

Also new in the SCG locker is the LEA Required Activities page. This document outlines remaining SCG deliverables for the 24-25 SY and includes a helpful breakdown of the SCG data reporting requirements, including the required Qualtrics survey named above.

Budget Tip: TEA encourages SCG campus and district personnel to look at the budget guidance document posted in the SCG locker for more information on allowable costs within this grant program. Please also review the When to Amend the Application page to read through scenarios that describe when a budget amendment is and is not required.

TCSS Tips

Student Support Framework

Lever 1 Mental and Behavioral Health and Wellbeing

Essential Action 1.1: Promotion and Prevention

Mental health promotion is a public health concept of primary prevention. It seeks to foster individual competencies, resources, and psychological strengths and to strengthen community assets to prevent mental disorder and enhance well-being and quality of life for people and communities. Mental health promotion is designed to increase knowledge and skills of mental health risk factors and warning signs, as well as provide connections to support services. Mental health promotion activities also seek to reduce stigma regarding seeking help for mental health challenges.

Promotion Strategies Slideshow with tips

Lever 4 - Supportive Discipline

Systematic Approach to Proactive Supports

Essential Action 4.2 Effective Instruction of Expectations

Choose a time during the day to observe adults and students interacting.

Pay close attention:

Listen carefully to how adults talk to students.
Tally how often the adult talks about the replacement (positive) behavior instead of the inappropriate one.

This helps you notice if the focus is on encouraging the right actions.