What is it?
School-based Project ECHO® Eating Disorders is an ongoing, virtual learning community for K – 12 school personnel. Participants gain knowledge and increase their skills in preventing, identifying and responding to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction concerns that can lead to eating disorders, the most fatal kind of mental disorder. Evidence-based approaches and best practices in eating disorder care inform all case discussions and teaching.
What does it involve?
60-minute sessions are held on the second Tuesday of every month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Every session includes the presentation of a case which is then discussed as a group, drawing upon the expertise of both session participants and the team of experts from the Western NY Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (WNYCCCED). A list of best-practice recommendations based on this discussion is then developed for the presenter to bring back to their school. Each session also includes a brief lecture on a topic related to eating disorders.
Who may participate?
All personnel of K–12 schools are welcome to attend, as are medical and behavioral health providers who work with this age group. Among those who benefit from participation are administrators, classroom teachers, health and PE teachers, school counselors, social workers and psychologists, food services staff and athletic coaches and trainers. All of these adults in the school can play a critical role in identifying students facing these challenges and helping them to be healthy and more successful in academics and sports.
Participation is free as are continuing education credits for medical providers, social workers, psychologists, LMFTs and LMHCs.
Register for School-based Project ECHO
How does it help?
A classroom teacher who recently presented a student about whom she was concerned said:
I cannot say enough positive things about the experience of presenting a case to the Project ECHO team. I felt supported from the initial proposal throughout the entire presentation process. The team listened to my case and provided direct, clear, and helpful support. They encouraged the efforts I am making as a supporter of this student while also making suggestions for future actions. They spoke about the case with respect, care, and a deep knowledge of the subject. I am grateful for the support provided during the meeting and all of the follow-up after my presentation. This is an incredibly valuable resource to our community and I hope more people who work with students take advantage of it.
Project ECHO TEAM MEMBERS
Mary Tantillo, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAED, Director
Taylor Starr, DO, MPH, FAAP, Medical Director
Richard Kreipe, MD, FAAP, FSAM, FAED, Senior Advisor
Laura Iafrati, MD, Psychiatrist
Jim Witmer, MSW, Health Project Coordinator
Aaron Pollard, Technical Director
Michelle Morales, Parent Peer Mentor
Marie Bieber, RD, CSP, CDN, Registered Dietitian
Dayton Walsh, PhD, Psychologist
For more information, please contact Project Coordinator, Jim Witmer:
Email Jim_Witmer@URMC.Rochester.edu or call 708-794-8637
School-based Project ECHO ® is supported by a grant from the NYS Office of Mental Health.
