Implementing an SEL Screener: Measuring Connections within a COVID Context

In this facilitated course, with Community of Practice (COP), participants will learn about a Rhode Island established Connections screener, the administration process, and how data from that screener has been traditionally utilized. Participants will then work to develop and pilot the administration of a screening process within each participant’s COVID/post-COVID school context. The course will have required synchronous meetings (along with optional additional meeting opportunities), self-paced course completion activities aligned with evolving research and resources on connectedness as a result of redesigned educational experiences due to COVID, and creation of action steps for a screening process within each participant’s school setting.
This course is designed to provide consultation, support, and assistance to individuals and/or school teams as they plan and consider the implementation of a Connections screening process. The course will be open for enrollment on September 22, 2020 and run through (approximately) April 2021, with periodic required and optional check-ins with the course facilitator and collaborative opportunities with other participants. Enrollment closes December 6th, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact either Kim Pristawa, kpristawa@gmail.com, or Michele Walden-Doppke, mwalden-doppke@westbaycollaborative.org.

Requirements: 

  • There will be 5 required hour long meetings which will be conducted after school hours (likely meeting time of 3:15pm-4:15pm). These may be adjusted based on participant feedback and there may be additional times available for these required meetings.

  • You must either develop an action plan for how a Connections screening can or will take place in your building or implement a Connections screener in your building. This may be with a small group, classroom, grade-level or greater and may involve others in your building.

Prerequisite: All participants must have taken the one hour self-paced course “The Importance of Connectedness” prior to the enrolling in this course. You can find that course under the home page tab Online Learning > Enroll in a course > Tier 1. At the end of that course, after completing all required activities, an enrollment key for this course will be provided. If you have already taken that course or have difficulty obtaining an enrollment key, contact Michele Walden-Doppke for further assistance. 


Intended Audiences

Administrators, Grade 6-12 Educators, Related Service Providers, MTSS Teams/Members 

Course Type

Facilitated with a Community of Practice

Recommended # of PLUs

15-20 PLUs for full course completion


Course Designer: Michele Walden-Doppke