ArizonaLEND Alum, Katrina Jean Shares Her Research on Evaluating School-based Mental Health Care Access and Associated Academic Outcomes for Elementary Students in Pima County

Katrina Jean, ArizonaLEND Alum (2023-2024), is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Psychology program at the University of Arizona. She believes that evaluating systems that children, youth, and families interface with is key to understanding important academic, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. Her current research is focused on evaluating school-based mental health care access in Pima County elementary schools and the associated outcomes in academic achievement. Katrina presented her research in November at the AUCD conference.

The proposed research has a specific focus on the opportunity gap for students with disabilities receiving special education services and historically marginalized youth.

“My goal is to improve the Arizona education system through advocacy efforts that prioritize youth mental health and to raise awareness about the importance of school-based mental health providers for children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities” Katrina stated when asked about her research.