Purpose + Goals
to reduce barriers for delivery
to meet the needs of students
to respond to social-emotional health and ATOD prevention
MI-LEAP is designed to reduce barriers to MMH delivery by tailoring the curriculum to meet the needs of more students, specifically those exposed to trauma. Teachers are provided with professional development, training, and hands-on support to set them up for success. Trained health coordinators are available to help teachers integrate trauma-informed approaches into their classroom, work through barriers in the classroom, and to facilitate the implementation of the adapted curriculum.
The Michigan Model for Health (MMH) is a skills focused K-12 health curriculum that’s recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). The program addresses developmentally appropriate cognitive, social-emotional, attitudinal, and contextual factors related to health behaviors.
What makes MI-LEAP different?
We used a team of teachers, health coordinators, and public health professionals to optimize the components of MMH that could be used to reach students exposed to trauma. The focus of this research is:
91% high school teachers in Michigan use MMH, and more than 2/3 find it difficult to implement. Delivering MMH is essential to achieving public health outcomes and improving the well-being of youth.
Meeting the needs of youth exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is crucial. ACEs are traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, or drug use, that can have long-lasting effects, potentially leading to substance abuse, disorders, and mental health problems.
1/3 of youth are exposed to 2 or more ACEs and students who have endured 3 or more ACEs are 2.5x more likely to fail a grade. Creating trauma-informed schools is one way to help.
The Michigan Model for Health© is a copyrighted curriculum by the State of Michigan. Permission has been granted for this integrated draft version of the Michigan Model for Health Skills for Life and Health and trauma informed instruction and best practice specifically for use in the MI-LEAP project.