Background Damion Grasso, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services
WNPR
The power of puppets: New toolkit helps kids process “heavy feelings” – January 6, 2023
Episode 17: How Kids and Young Adults Benefit from Nature
UConn Professors Jean Coffey, Damion Grasso, and Cynthia Jones discuss the benefits of nature and how to get outside.
UConn Today
Feel Your Best Self Collaborative Project Nominated for Kidscreen Award – December 19, 2022
UConn Today
Developing High School Students into Data Scientists – December 19, 2022
CT Mirror
A Sandy Hook reflection: Gun violence is preventable — if we want – December 14, 2022
Episode 16: Puppets and Emotional Well-being – The Making of the Feel Your Best Self Project
CSCH Director of Programs & Communications Helene Marcy interviews the creators of Feel Your Best Self, a toolkit that uses puppets to teach children strategies that promote emotional well-being.
UConn Today
Pandemic Journaling Project Continues to Grow and Develop – December 7, 2022
UConn Today
For Adolescents, Word Choice Matters When Talking About Body Weight – December 2, 2022
Kidscreen
Streamers rule Kidscreen Awards nominations – November 29, 2022
NPR
In one first-grade classroom, puppets teach children to ‘shake out the yuck’ – November 11, 2022
UConn Today
Helping Schools Put ‘Whole Child’ into Policy and Practice – September 20, 2022
UConn Today
UConn Social Work Scholar Mogro-Wilson Achieves a Pair of ‘Firsts’ in Reaching Milestones – September 14, 2022
Affiliate Profile: Eileen Condon
Background Dr. Eileen Condon Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing. Her interests are in promoting health and health equity among children and families who are socially and economically marginalized
New CSCH Steering Committee Members
We are pleased to announce that we have three new CSCH Steering Committee Members joining us this fall
UConn Today
Puppets Get the Laser Treatment – August 17, 2022
UConn Today
Multidisciplinary Team Wins $3M for Graduate Programs – June 28, 2022
The Conversation
School mental health resources critical to ensuring safe school environments – June 7, 2022
CT Mirror
To end gun violence we need to address poverty – May 31, 2022
Episode 15: The State of Social Emotional Learning in Connecticut
CSCH Co-Director Sandra Chafouleas interviews a panel of experts on the state of social emotional learning in Connecticut.
UConn Today
Standing Against Despair – May 26, 2022
UConn Today
Feel Your Best Self: Educators, Puppets Unite to Teach Kids About Emotions – May 11, 2022
Tips for Delivering Trauma-Informed Professional Learning for Educators
An Info-graphic based on an article by Jessica B. Koslouski and Sandra M. Chafouleas
The Role of Early Head Start in Supporting Families with Diverse Strengths and Needs
A CSCH Brief by Caitlin McPherran Lombardi, Kyle DeMeo Cook, and Eleanor Fisk
The UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health
Learn about CSCH and what we’ve accomplished so far. 
Trauma Informed Education Podcast
Multi-tiered Trauma Informed Support with Prof. Sandra Chafouleas – February 11, 2022
The Conversation
Pandemic-related school closings likely to have far-reaching effects on child well-being – February 9, 2022
Simple Strategies to Foster Emotional Well-Being
An Info-graphic based on an article by Emily A. Iovino, Jessica B. Koslouski, and Sandra M. Chafouleas
CT News Junkie
COVID-19 Has Left Children In Crisis; CT Should Improve Access To Mental Health Care – December 13, 2021
Affiliate Profile: Jessica Koslouski
Background Jessica Koslouski, PhD is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Collaboratory on School and Child Health at UConn and in the Department of Educational Psychology in the UConn Neag School of Education
UConn Today
Study: International Support for Policies to Address Weight-Based Bullying & Discrimination – November 4, 2021
Evaluating a Facebook Group Self-Care Intervention for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities
A CSCH Brief by Emily A. Iovino, Hannah Y. Perry, Sandra M. Chafouleas, Jessica Koslouski, & Helene M. Marcy
UConn Today
New Research Study to Investigate — and Address — Teacher Stress – October 12, 2021
Supporting Well-Being: Six Tips Anyone Can Use During Times of Uncertainty
A CSCH Tip Sheet by Jessica Koslouski
Episode 12: Using Peer Influence to Reduce Weight-Based Bullying
CSCH Affiliate Leah Lessard discusses her research on the role popular peers may play in reducing weight-based bullying in schools.
PRISM: Preliminary Results from an Online Mindfulness Intervention for Adolescents
A CSCH Brief by Beth Russell, Morica Hutchison, and Helene M. Marcy
Affiliate Profile: Gio Iacono
Background Gio Iacono, PhD is an Assistant Professor in UConn’s School of Social Work and is a psychotherapist and clinical social worker by training
WNPR
Back To School 2021: Supporting The Social And Emotional Needs Of Students – September 2, 2021
Q & A with CSCH Co-Director Beth Russell
We are pleased to announce that Beth Russell, Associate Professor in HDFS and CSCH Steering Committee member, has taken on the role of CSCH Co-Director. Russell recently answered some questions about how she became interested in her field and what drew her to CSCH.
The Conversation
Students are returning to school with anxiety, grief and gaps in social skills – will there be enough school mental health resources? – August 23, 2021
WSCC Resources for Schools
CSCH is pleased to announce its NEW Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC) resources for schools
WellSAT WSCC: A Comprehensive Tool for Evaluating School Wellness Policies
A CSCH Brief by Breanna McFarlane, Sandra M. Chafouleas, Marlene B. Schwartz, Helene M. Marcy, Jessica Koslouski, and Emily Iovino
Back to School Resources: Aligning Guidance with the WSCC Model, V3
A CSCH Crosswalk written by Emily A. Iovino, Sandra M. Chafouleas, and Hanna Y. Perry
UConn Today
Free Academy Coaches School Leaders in Supporting Well-Being – August 12, 2021
The Conversation
Millions of kids get suspended or expelled each year – but it doesn’t address the root of the behavior – August 11, 2021
UConn Today
UConn Researcher Adapting Mindfulness Program for LGBTQIA+ Youth for Online Use – August 5, 2021
UConn Today
Adolescents Report Increase in Weight Stigma on Social Media during COVID-19 Pandemic – July 28, 2021
The Conversation
Pandemic has teens feeling worried, unmotivated and disconnected from school – July 22, 2021
UConn Today
Five Weeks at B.R.A.I.N. Camp Could Give Kids a Brighter Future – July 20, 2021
UConn Today
Neag School Researcher Testing Strategies to Support Teachers’ Intervention Implementation – July 15, 2021
CT Examiner
More Joy — Less Catch-up — Experts Counsel Local Schools – May 23, 2021
Q & A on the UConn Mind-Body Health Research Interest Group
CSCH Affiliate Melissa Bray is one of the directors of the UConn Mind-Body Health Research Interest Group. Bray recently answered some questions about how she got interested in mind-body health (MBH), why it’s beneficial and how schools can incorporate MBH interventions into their SEL curriculum.
UConn Today
UConn Selected to Help Create National Network on Emotional Wellbeing Research – May 5, 2021
EdSurge
What Can Teachers Learn From Students’ Brainwaves? – May 4, 2021
UConn Today
UConn Health Researchers Receive a $3.1 Million Dollar Grant to Study Pandemic-Related Stress in Families with Infants – April 22, 2021
UConn Today
The Role of Communities in Refugee Resettlement – April 21, 2021
The Conversation
Bringing ‘behavioral vaccines’ to school: 5 ways educators can support student well-being – April 8, 2021
The CT Mirror
Reopening schools requires doing less, better – April 7, 2021
The Conversation
How social media turns online arguments between teens into real-world violence – April 5, 2021
Systems Synergy: How Reducing Poverty Can Prevent Child Neglect
A CSCH Brief by Kerri M. Raissian, Megan Feely and Helene M. Marcy
UConn Today
Confronting Gun Violence With Scholarship – March 31, 2021
Affiliate Profile: Fumiko Hoeft
Background Fumiko Hoeft MD, PhD is a Professor of Psychological Sciences, Director of the Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC) at UConn, and Director of Laboratory for Learning Engineering and Neural Systems (brainLENS) at UConn/University of California San Francisco. She is a psychiatrist and neurophysiologist by training, turned developmental cognitive neuroscientist
UConn Today
Too Hot or Too Cold? UConn Researcher Finds ‘Goldilocks Problem’ in Child Welfare Decision-Making – March 9, 2021
Q&A on the Pandemic Journaling Project
CSCH Affiliate Sarah Willen is one of the founders of the Pandemic Journaling Project. Willen recently answered some questions about how it started, the recent inclusion of older adolescents as participants, and how teachers can incorporate the site as a resource.
UConn Today
Q&A: Supporting Your Child’s Well-Being During the Pandemic – February 24, 2021
Reopening Schools Requires Doing Less, Better
A CSCH and CBER Position Statement by George Sugai and Sandra M. Chafouleas”
UConn Today
Public Policy, Social Work Researchers: Antipoverty Programs Can Help Reduce Child Neglect – February 22, 2021
The Daily Campus
‘Teen Suicide During COVID-19: The Second Crisis In Our Schools’ looks at how to solve a dire problem – February 18, 2021
The Perkins Platform
Teen Suicide During COVID-19: The Second Crisis In Our Schools – February 17, 2021
UConn Magazine
Helping Kids Decode their Brains – February 15, 2021
UConn 360 Podcast
Episode 78: The Voice of the Huskies – February 10, 2021
The CT Mirror
Trump’s reaction to defeat further confirms urgency for school focus on social emotional skills – January 19, 2021
Affiliate Profile: Emily Iovino
Background Emily Iovino, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health (CSCH) and is also a school psychologist. Her primary areas of research are centered on the primary caregivers of children with developmental disabilities
The Conversation
COVID-19 means a lot more work for families of children with disabilities, but schools can help – December 16, 2020
Podcast Series: CSCH Spotlight on Well-being During COVID
CSCH recently completed a survey of district and school leaders about how the pandemic has affected their priorities and concerns. Results indicated that one of their biggest worries is social and emotional wellness. That prompted us to do a podcast series on the topic.
Episode 10: CSCH Spotlight on Well-being During COVID: Child Wellness
CSCH Steering Committee member Jeana Bracey, CSCH Affiliate Damion Grasso, and Michelle Doucette Cunningham discuss what schools and communities can do to promote child wellness during COVID-19.
Connecticut School Administrator Perspectives on Shifting Priorities During COVID-19
A CSCH Brief by Sandra M. Chafouleas, Emily A. Iovino, Marlene B. Schwartz, & Helene M. Marcy
A 2020 Focus on the Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Well-Being of College Students
A CSCH Brief by Emily A. Iovino, Jannell Brown, Alyssa Bunyea, Breanna McFarlane, Angel Ojide, Hannah Perry, Daniel Schwartzman, Cyrus Smith, and Sandra M. Chafouleas
Mapping Promising Alternative Approaches to Exclusionary Practices in U.S. Schools
A CSCH Crosswalk written by Sandra M. Chafouleas, Amy M. Briesch, Jennifer N. Dineen, and Helene M. Marcy
UConn Today
Schooling, Caregiving, and Emotional Support during COVID – October 7, 2020
Using Restorative Practices with a Virtual Peace Room
A CSCH Brief written by Caitlin Elsaesser, Aditi Das and Helene Marcy
Affiliate Profile: Maria LaRusso
Background Maria LaRusso, EdD is an Assistant Professor in UConn’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. Her primary research concerns how children’s growth and well-being is shaped by relationships and supports across different contexts
UConn Today
Weight Stigma Predicts Emotional Distress and Binge Eating During COVID-19 – September 10, 2020
Disability Scoop
Pandemic Hitting Families Of Those With Disabilities Harder – August 28, 2020
Episode 6: The NEEDs2 Project
CSCH Co-Director Sandra Chafouleas and Amy Briesch of Northeastern University discuss the IES-funded NEEDs2 project that explored what school personnel and families think about the role for schools in student social, emotional, and behavioral screening.
Initial Impact of COVID-19 on the Well-being of Caregivers of Children with and without Disabilities
A CSCH Brief written by Sandra M. Chafouleas and Emily A. Iovino
UConn Today
Strategies for Fostering an Emotionally Safe School Environment – July 10, 2020
Responding to COVID-19: Simple Strategies Anyone Can Use to Foster an Emotionally Safe School Environment
A CSCH Report written by Sandra M. Chafouleas, Taylor A. Koriakin, Emily A. Iovino, Jeana Bracey, & Helene M. Marcy
Neag Foundation Provides CSCH with Two-year Grant
The Neag Foundation has provided the UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health with a two-year grant to facilitate work in the Think about the Link Project
UConn Today
Many LGBTQ Teens Report Bullying that Extends Beyond Their Sexual and Gender Orientations – June 15, 2020
Hartford Courant
Our Teens are missing so many milestones, but there are things we can do – June 14, 2020
Responding to COVID-19: Planning for Trauma-Informed Assessment in Schools
A CSCH Report written by Sandra M. Chafouleas and Helene M. Marcy
Affiliate Profile: Julian Ford
Background Julian Ford, Ph.D is a board-certified clinical psychologist and Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and School of Law. He is also the Principal Investigator and Director of two Treatment and Services Adaptation Centers in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
UConn Today
As Families Struggle During Pandemic, Children At High Risk for Neglect – April 27, 2020
The Conversation
5 things college students should include in a plan for their wellness – April 27, 2020
UConn Today
Coping With COVID? Mastering Social (But Not Emotional) Distancing – March 19, 2020
Helping Babies and Families: How states address the needs of opiate-exposed infants
A CSCH Brief written by Margaret H. Lloyd and Helene M. Marcy
CT Voice
The Agony of Youth – March 1, 2020
UConn Today
Exploring the School-Age Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Landscape – January 31, 2020
CSCH Features Affiliate Dr. Ryan Watson
CSCH highlighted the work of HDFS Assistant Professor Ryan Watson in December and January. We interviewed Dr. Watson for a two-part podcast about his research. In Part 1 Watson discussed his research on disparities in access to HIV prevention tools among young men who have sex with men. In Part 2 he discussed his research […]
Supporting Gender Expansive Youth: Considerations for Healthcare Providers
A CSCH Brief written by Katherine Connolly
Episode 4: LGBTQ Youth and Substance Abuse
CSCH Affiliate Ryan Watson discusses his research on sexual and gender minority youth and their substance abuse. (Part 2 of two episodes on Dr. Watson’s research).
UConn Today
Researchers: Look at factors outside the family that cause child neglect – December 2, 2019
Scientific American
The War on Childhood Obesity Needs a War on Blame – November 22, 2019
WellSAT WSCC 2.0
The WellSAT WSCC is a school policy evaluation tool aligned with the Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child (WSCC) model that builds on the history of the WellSAT, which is an evaluation tool for evaluation of school wellness policy.
Stress: Family Caregivers of Children with Disabilities
A CSCH Brief written by Emily Auerbach, Hannah Perry, & Sandra M. Chafouleas
Project Profile: Addressing Teacher Well-being
Applying the Healthy Workplace Participatory Program to Address Teacher Well-being: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Co-Principal Investigators: Lisa Sanetti, Department of Educational Psychology and Alicia Dugan, Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine at UConn Health. Co-Investigator: Michele Femc-Bagwell, Department of Educational Leadership
UConn Today
CSCH Co-Hosts Second Symposium on Trauma-Informed Mental Health – October 29, 2019
UConn Today
Migrant Children’s Rights to Health and Rehabilitation – October 28, 2019
Migrant Children’s Rights to Health and Rehabilitation
A CSCH Brief written by Megan Berthold and Kathryn Libal
CSCH Hosts Second Symposium on Childhood Trauma, Mental Health
On October 23, 2019, CSCH cosponsored and hosted the “Symposium on Trauma-Informed School Mental Health 2.0.” Approximately 70 school, behavioral health, community, and research leaders from across the state gathered at the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs to discuss school and community responses to childhood trauma and how to align work around trauma-informed schools […]
Education Week
There’s More to College Prep Than Academics – October 22, 2019
UConn Today
Targeting Alcohol Abuse with Emotion Regulation Strategies – October 16, 2019
Episode 2: What is the WellSAT WSCC?
CSCH Co-Director Sandra Chafouleas and CSCH Steering Committee Member Marlene Schwartz discuss their work developing the WellSAT WSCC Tool.
Introducing the WellSAT WSCC Tool
The UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health and the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity are pleased to announce the release of the WellSAT WSCC, a comprehensive school policy evaluation tool aligned with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.
Remodeling Adolescent Risk for Sexual Violence
A CSCH Brief by CSCH Undergraduate Researcher Corona Zhang
The End of “Because I Said So”: Positive Social and Emotional Responsiveness
A CSCH Brief written by CSCH Undergraduate Researcher Ireti Adegbesan
NPR
Praise, Don’t Tease, And Other Tips To Help Kids With Their Weight – August 25, 2019
The CT Mirror
We need trauma-informed preschool practices – August 22, 2019
Thinking About the Link Between Health and Learning CSCH Video Series
Our video modules provide an overview of the WSCC Model and its ten domains:
CSCH Undergraduate Researchers
Over the 2018-19 school year, CSCH faculty worked with two undergraduate students through the Office of Undergraduate Research. Their research on supporting student mental health through multi-tiered support systems culminated in a poster presentation at the UConn Frontiers Undergraduate poster exhibition.
Steering Committee Member: Beth Russell
Background Beth Russell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and is the Director of the Center for Applied Research in Human Development (CARHD), a CSCH partner. Russell studies self-regulation, in particular the regulation of psychological distress.
Steering Committee Member: Sandra Chafouleas
Background Sandra Chafouleas is the Co-Director of CSCH as a well as a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology in the Neag School of Education at UConn. Before turning to research, Chafouleas was a school psychologist in a variety of settings
UConn Today
LGBTQ Teens Face High Rate of Weight-Based Bullying – February 7, 2019
Steering Committee Member Profile: Jeana Bracey
Background Jeana Bracey is Director of School and Community Initiatives at the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, Inc., a CSCH partner organization. Bracey’s background and training is as a clinical community psychologist and her work focuses on improving policy and systems work across Connecticut, particular to children’s mental health
Hartford Courant
UConn Athletic Department Makes Strides In Mental Health Care – October 9, 2018
WSCC Toolkit
The WSCC Toolkit helps schools incorporate the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model into decision-making and the integration of health and learning. It includes tools like practice briefs and planning blueprints to guide work in the coordination of policies, processes, and practices relevant to school and child well-being.
New England Psychologist
School psychologists: In a class of their own – July 7, 2018
UConn Today
The Science is Clear: Separating Families has Damaging Psychological and Health Consequences – June 22, 2018
The Washington Post
Starbucks Classrooms, Plus Six Other New Approaches in Education – April 3, 2018
New Haven Register
Hamden clinic set to revolutionize autism, special needs world – November 16, 2017
Think about the Link between Learning and Health: Schools as the Hub for Whole Child Success
CSCH Live Talk by Sandra Chafouleas, PhD – October 2017
CSCH Live Talks
As part of an initiative to provide multi-media training for CSCH affiliates, the UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health partnered with the Public Health House Learning Community to host a live filming of TED-like talks on October 30, 2017
The CT Mirror
Health care providers endorse call for sales tax increase – June 20, 2017
UConn Today
State Leaders Attend Symposium on Childhood Trauma, Mental Health – May 26, 2017
Education, Community and Behavioral Health Leaders Attend Statewide Symposium on Childhood Trauma, Mental Health
On May 24, 2017, CSCH co-sponsored and hosted “Symposium on Trauma-Informed School Mental Health.” Approximately 100 school, mental health, and community leaders from across the state gathered at the University of Connecticut
Education World
Why Your School Should be Implementing trauma-Informed Practices – April 2017
Resilience Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion after CSCH screening of the documentary film Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope – November 2016
CSCH Resilience Screening
November 16, 2016 CSCH, in collaboration with the Neag School of Education, hosted a free screening of the documentary film Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope. Additional sponsors included UConn’s Office of Public Engagement, InCHIP, Achieve Hartford!, and the Clifford Beers Clinic
Husky Sport
Funded by USDA SNAP-Ed, local foundations, AmeriCorps and private donations, Husky Sport is a sport based youth development program operating as a community-campus partnership between Hartford’s North End and UConn’s Neag School of Education. Husky Sport emphasizes nutritional education, physical activity, transferrable life skills, and academic enrichment with K-12 grade students both in school and […]
NEEDs2
Funded by the National Center for Education Research, Institute for Education Sciences, the National Exploration of Emotional/Behavioral Detection in School Screening (NEEDs2) project aims to understand if and how social, emotional, and behavioral screeners are being used in schools, and what factors influence use.
Nutrition Policies and Practices in Early Care and Education at the Rudd Center
Current Rudd Center projects funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Eating Research program include an evaluation of Community Eligibility Provision (of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act) effects on academic and health outcomes and an assessment of the updated Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns in child care centers. For more […]
Think about the Link Project
Funded through the UConn OVPR’s Research Excellence Program, the Neag Foundation, and individual donors, this project facilitates school efforts in integrating health and learning. Schools can enhance their support systems by incorporating the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model in decision-making across academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical domains of functioning. Project materials […]
New Haven Register
Clifford Beers Program Turns Stress and Trauma into Positive Outcomes – October 3, 2016
New Haven Independent
Kids In 5 Schools Getting Trauma Help – September 15, 2016
InChip Seed Grants
CSCH is pleased to announce the FY16 Awardees of the InCHIP-Neag School of Education Dual-PI Seed Grants for Collaborative Research in School and Child Health