Mental Health

Mental health is a necessary component for the promotion of students’ developmental, social, and academic well-being. Mental health does not necessarily mean the absence of some form of mental illness, but rather having the means and necessary skills to promote the ability to cope with challenges in life. If ignored, mental health problems can interfere with children's learning, development, relationships, and physical health (National Association of School Psychologist, 2017).

The School Psychology & Special Education Evaluation Specialist focuses their work on supporting school psychologists and school social workers in schools in Colorado. They can provide support in the areas of special education evaluation and eligibility, Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of Supports, and mental health for students with disabilities. If you have questions regarding licensing, please contact the Colorado Department of Education Licensing Team directly (information below under "Resources"). If you have questions relating to private practice, please contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies (information below under "Resources").

School Psychologist - School Psychologist (ages 0-21) - 7.06 (PDF)

School Social Worker - School Social Worker (ages 0-21) - 7.07 (PDF)

Request Professional Development, Training, and/or Coaching

Office Hours

Krista Klabo will host a six-part webinar series on foundational concepts of special education evaluation! This series will be held monthly series will be held on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM.

Learn more about the monthly series.

Well-Being Information and Strategies for Educators

Classroom WISE is a FREE 3-part training package that assists K-12 educators and school staff in supporting the mental health of students in the classroom. Developed by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health, this package offers evidence-based strategies and skills to engage and support students experiencing adversity and distress.

Go to Classroom WISE.

IRIS Center On Demand Professional Development

The IRIS Center is a national center dedicated to improving education outcomes for all children, especially those with disabilities birth through age twenty-one, through the use of effective evidence-based practices and interventions.

Visit the IRIS Center

Educator Mental Health Supports

Colorado Educator Support

Mental Health Awareness and Connectedness for School Leaders

Colorado School Psychology and Social Worker Positions

Unofficial List of Available School-Based Mental Health Practitioner Positions Matrix for the 2023-2024 School Year (Google Sheet)
Please note that this may not include all of the jobs open in Colorado. Visit individual district websites for a complete list of job opportunities. All applications should be submitted directly to the district in which you are applying.

Office Hours - Special Education Evaluation Webinar Series

Krista Klabo will host a six-part monthly webinar series on foundational concepts of special education evaluation! Throughout the series, we will cover essential topics, including comprehensiveness in evaluations, meaningful family participation and collaboration, cultural considerations, building a thoughtful body of evidence beyond standardized measures, and assessment interpretation and communication. These topics are crucial for ensuring thorough evaluations, fostering strong partnerships with families, addressing cultural diversity, utilizing alternative assessment methods, and effectively communicating assessment findings.

This monthly series will be held on Tuesdays from 8:00 – 9:30 am. Registration is required to attend.

Dates and Topics:

September 19, 2023 - Comprehensiveness in Special Education Evaluation
- Importance of comprehensive evaluations
- Different assessment tools and strategies
- Significance of considering multiple domain
October 24, 2023 - Meaningful Family Participation and Collaboration
- Involving families in the evaluation process
- Strategies for collaborative relationships
- Incorporating family perspectives in decision-making
- informed consent, confidentiality, and the rights of students and their families.
November 28, 2023 - Cultural Considerations in Special Education Evaluation
- Importance of cultural competence
- Impact of cultural factors on assessment outcomes
- Strategies for culturally sensitive assessments

January 30, 2024 - Assessment Interpretation and Communication
- Effective interpretation of assessment results
- Clear communication with team members and families
- Understanding score types and assessment types
- Analyzing assessment data and making informed decisions
February 27, 2024- Basics of Building a Thoughtful Body of Evidence
- Going beyond standardized measures
- Influence of informal data on formal assessment interpretation
- Introduction to alternative assessment methods
- Covering topics such as assistive technology, flexible testing formats, and individualized supports
April 16, 2024 - Convergence of Data to Build a Stronger Body of Evidence
- Appropriate use of assessment data
- How different assessment data informs decision-making.
- Reinforcing the decision-making process

Resources and Information

Licensing Information

Licensing Standards
Special Service Provider Endorsements
Department of Education Licensing Office
- Send an Email: CDELicensing@cde.state.co.us
- Call Us: 303-866-6628
Please note, that this position is not an expert in licensing and if you have specific questions, it is best to contact licensing office.

Department of Regulatory Agencies

Department of Regulatory Agencies
Phone: 303-894-7855 or 1-800-886-7675 (Toll-Free outside the Denver metro area)
Email: DORA_Customercare@state.co.us
Please note, that this position does not support school psychologists or social workers in private practice.

School Mental Health and Behavior Listserv

The School Mental Health and Behavior Listserv is a great way to receive information through periodic emails on statewide training(s), job opportunities, and mental health and/or behavior-related events. If you would like to sign up for the listserv, please send your request to Holly Jackson, Program Support: Email Holly Jackson, jackson_h@cde.state.co.us.

State and National Partners

Professional Organizations

Colorado Society of School Psychologists
National Association of School Psychologists
Colorado School Social Work Association
University Training Programs in Colorado:
Colorado Bilingual School Mental Health Network

For more information, please contact:

Krista Klabo, Ed.S NCSP
School Psychology and Special Education Evaluation Specialist
Email Krista
(720) 284 – 2524

Having trouble with this webpage?

If you have problems with broken links or accessing the content on this page, please contact the Exceptional Student Services Unit at ESSU@cde.state.co.us. Please copy the URL link for this page into the email when referencing the problem you are experiencing.