Transform Discipline

Promote Youth Mental Health

Helping school systems, communities, and youth-serving organizations transform discipline practices to promote youth behavioral health.

Contact

Office located in Bellingham, WA 

School discipline policy and school behavioral health program consulting

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Cascadia Youth Mental Health PLLC was founded on the belief the best youth mental health care happens outside the therapy room, in the environments where children live, learn, and play. 

Research-based school policy, procedure, and practice expertise

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• Substance use school discipline policy & practice
• Restorative Practices
• Motivational Interviewing in schools
• ​School behavioral health programs
• ​Social-Emotional Learning
• ​School substance use intervention programs
• School truancy intervention programs​​
• Positive behavior supports​
• Multi-tiered social-emotional behavioral supports
• Inequities in school discipline
  
• School discipline culture change​​

Support that is responsive to your school's unique context, needs, and capacity.

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• School discipline procedure review, feedback, and coaching
• Substance use and other major violations discipline procedure consulting
• Training and professional development
• Alternative to suspension program development and evaluation
• Coaching and Technical Assistance
• School Discipline System Check-Up project
• School Discipline research and data analysis

Featured Service

Take stock of your school discipline system strengths, needs, and levers for change.

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Learn More

​The School Discipline System Check-Up℠ is a strategic consulting project that helps middle and high schools:

• Take stock of your current overall school discipline system strengths and gaps.
• ​​Address discipline practices and policies that exacerbate inequities and increase risk for youth substance use, behavioral health challenges, and juvenile justice involvement.​
• Update building-level practices and procedures for responding to substance use violations, including vaping.​
• And more...

Now recruiting schools for 22-23 School Year. 

​Please submit a contact form or email  for more information.

Potential funding sources:

• Schools in WA State ESD 189, and portions of ESD 123 and ESD 105 regions may be eligible for 100% of project to be funded through regional Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Program Funding.
• Schools in WA State may be able to partner with CPWI Coalitions to fund this project.
• Schools across the US may be able to partner with Drug Free Communities Coalition to  fund this project. 

Current and former partners...

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Education and Health Departments

• Walla Walla County Department of Community Health, Greater Columbia Region Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Program
• Whatcom County Public Health Department, North Sound Region Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Program.
• WA State Educational Service District 189​
• WA State Educational Service District 105
• Skagit County Public Health Department

CPWI and DFC Coalitions

• Sedro-Woolley RISE Coalition
• Concrete Resource Coalition
• Mt. Baker Community Coalition
• Ferndale Community Coalition
• Burlington Healthy Communities Coalition
• Prosser Thrives Coalition
• KEY Connection Coalition
• Dayton Coalition for Youth and Families
• ​Pomeroy Partners​

Schools & School Districts
*School Discipline System Check-Up Projects

• State Street High School, Sedro-Woolley School District*
• Legacy High School, Marysville School District
• Marysville Middle School, Marysville School District
• Marysville School District Administration
• Mount Baker Junior High, Mount Baker School District*
• Ferndale High School, Ferndale School District*
• Burlington Edison High School, Burlington Edison School District*
• La Conner Middle/High School, La Conner School District*
• Concrete High School, Concrete School District*
• Prosser High School, Prosser School District*
• Southridge High School, Kennewick School District*
• Legacy High School, Kennewick School District*
• Dayton Secondary School, Dayton School District*
• Pomeroy Jr/Sr High School, Pomeroy School District*
• Shoultes Elementary School, Marysville School District
• Marshall Elementary School, Marysville School District

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Meet the founder

Tammy Dee,  Principal Consultant

MSW, University of Washington, Seattle 2012
​LICSW, WA State #LW60922289

Tammy Dee, MSW (she/her) is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 15 years of experience in school discipline reform, youth substance use and violence prevention, and youth behavioral health. She primarily provides consulting services focused on school discipline and school mental health programs. She also holds an ESA School Social Work Certificate with OSPI (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) and worked as a School Social Worker for 6 school years prior to beginning her private practice. In addition, she has taught undergraduate Social Work courses, conducted research on the implementation of Restorative Practices in schools in Australia, and co-authored research articles and a book chapter on child abuse and neglect. She is especially passionate about helping schools transform discipline systems to prevent youth substance use and juvenile justice involvement, and promote equitable youth mental health outcomes.

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More about Tammy

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Quick tips

for educators to promote student mental health

Take a look below (hover over icons) for research-based insights on strategies to promote youth mental health. These tips are for parents, educators, and youth-serving professionals working tirelessly to raise courageous, resilient, and compassionate children and teens. ​*Mobile-responsive not currently available. 

Positive Expectations

We often tell children what NOT to do; without telling them what to do instead. Teaching children what you WANT them to do can help reduce behavior problems. Set & teach clear, positive behavioral expectations.

Accomodations

Going out of your way to prevent distress in children with excessive worries or fears can actually make their anxiety worse. Empathy & validation PLUS gradual & safe exposure to challenges build courage and confidence!

Independence & Responsibility

Children and teens need opportunities to develop confidence in their knowledge, skills, and abilities. A good rule: try not to do things FOR them that they can do themselves.

Stress & the Brain

Stressed humans can't access the parts of their brain that allow them to think rationally and reflect on their behaviors. Recognize when children (and adults) are experiencing a fight, flight, or freeze response. Model mindful moments and relaxation strategies.

Attention & Reinforcement

Pay attention to what you're paying attention to! Highlight the times a child is meeting (or working hard to meet) expectations and positively reinforce their efforts. A good rule: 5 positive reinforcements for every 1 correction.

Boundaries & Enforcement

Clearly set and consistently enforce boundaries. The belief that a child will be caught misbehaving is what deters misbehavior; not punitive consequences! Try restating what behaviors you expect of them. Be consistent with your boundaries!