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Relationships and Responsiveness: Tier 1 Belonging in Mental and Behavioral Health Support
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Relationships and Responsiveness: Tier 1 Belonging in Mental and Behavioral Health Support
Presented by Leslie Santiago, MSW, PPSC, School Social Worker and Mental Health Clinician, Sojourner Truth Independent Study, Oakland Unified School District (CA); Dr. Monica L. Coverson, LMSW, LSSW, CCPT, Former District Leader of Social Work and Trauma-Informed Schools, Current Executive of Partner Impact, Sown To Grow; and LaKisha Hoffman, MSW, PPSC, Senior Advisor of SEL Pedagogy, Social Work, and Healing-Centered Support, Sown To Grow
Sponsored by Sown To Grow
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Proactive mental and behavioral health support doesn't start with a referral. It starts with relationships and a culture of trust. When you focus on a Tier 1 environment where students feel known and feel comfortable opening up, the signs of struggle surface early, before they escalate.
In this edWebinar, we explore how schools can embed healing-centered strategies and belonging-building practices into everyday classroom routines. When we do this well, needs get noticed sooner, students get connected to responsive care faster, and caring relationships build lasting student resilience.
You don't need to be a trained clinician to make a difference. We share lightweight, role-appropriate strategies that help every adult in the building feel confident supporting students within their scope of practice. When Tier 1 is strong, every tier above it works better: fewer crises, clearer referrals, and support staff spending their time where it's needed most.
Watch trained social workers and educators to learn about:
- The H.O.P.E. framework for healthy outcomes from positive experiences and relationships
- The C.A.R.M.A. model for creating affirming and healing-centered classrooms
- Belonging-building routines and resources you can easily implement
- Tier 1 structures built on trusting relationships to help you proactively notice and support student needs
This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 teachers, school and district leaders, school social workers and counselors, and any mental and behavioral health professionals at the school or district level.
About the Presenters
Leslie Santiago is a bilingual, bicultural, dedicated mental health advocate committed to promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being. She serves as the School Social Worker for Sojourner Truth Independent Study in Oakland Unified School District (CA). Outside of advocacy, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, capturing moments through photography, and learning about history and the stories that shape our world.
Dr. Monica Coverson brings over 25 years of expertise in the areas of school social work, child trauma, and child welfare. In Metro Nashville Public Schools, she managed a staff of 50 social workers serving over 83,000 students as the Director of Social Work and Trauma-Informed Schools. Additionally, Dr. Coverson oversees the TN Safe Schools Department, which focuses on decreasing school violence and disruptive behavior, and is a Field Liaison for the University of Tennessee, College of Social Work, and a part-time therapist for Nashville Emotional Wellness Counseling. Dr. Coverson holds a bachelor’s degree in child development and family studies from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Social Work degree from Western Kentucky University, and a Doctor of Education from Lipscomb University. She holds certifications as a Clinical Trauma Professional, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer.
LaKisha Hoffman has 20 years of experience in mental health and public education, including as a teacher, assistant principal, mental health director, and school social worker. Through her work, she honors the resiliency of the communities she serves while providing them with the resources for healing and transformation. At the Child Mind Institute, LaKisha developed a national portfolio of school- and community-based mental health programs, partnering across clinical, operational, and external teams to expand reach, strengthen sustainability, and improve how mental health services, training, and resources were delivered to schools and communities. LaKisha currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Sown To Grow on social-emotional learning pedagogy, social work, and healing-centered support.
Join the Social-Emotional Learning community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Sown To Grow is a student support platform helping every student feel seen, supported, and able to learn at their best. We partner with schools and districts to improve social, emotional, and academic health through easy and engaging check-ins that center student experiences in proactive support. Students are invited to reflect on their feelings and experiences through an interactive journal. This Tier 1 routine helps students build belonging and key life skills, with actionable pathways for identifying and supporting Tier 2 and 3 needs.
Admins get real-time well-being data, MTSS recommendations, early warning alerts, Tier 1 and 2 curricula, pre/post assessments, supportive PD, and powerful artifacts of student growth.
Sown To Grow is designed by educators and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and Digital Promise. This simple reflection routine has been proven to increase student belonging, behavior, and attendance by helping schools proactively support students.
