In our “new normal” students are faced with social skills deficits; the impact of trauma, grief, and loss; and recurring crises. The KIPP DC mental health team partners with schools and parents to implement proactive strategies to address these challenges, with particular emphasis on suicide prevention in elementary, middle, and high schools. In this session, you will learn more about the mental health programming and supports in a post-pandemic world—both preventative and responsive.
Event Host
Melissa Wade, Managing Director of Mental Health
Melissa Wade joined KIPP DC in July 2014. After spending two years on the leadership team at KIPP DC College Prep, Melissa transitioned into leading the team of mental health practitioners in schools throughout the region. Today, she serves as the managing director of mental health for KIPP DC, setting priorities and policies for mental health, coaching the mental health leadership team, and serving on the region’s instructional leadership team and student support leadership team. Her team of 70 includes school-based clinicians, clinical psychologists, behavior analysts, and external partner community clinicians and psychiatrists. A Washington, DC native, Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in English and a Certificate in Afro-American Studies from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, and a Certificate of Advanced Practice in Schools from Loyola University Chicago. Before joining KIPP DC, Melissa spent six years at the Noble Network of Charter Schools in Chicago as a founding social worker and later, director of student support at their first southside campus. She also holds roots in grassroots advocacy, training communities to have roundtable discussions on race relations and the achievement gap with the non-profit, Everyday Democracy. Outside school, Melissa is an avid volleyball player and coach, weekend chef, true crime documentary enthusiast, and summer traveler.
