March 18, 2026, Staff & Community Message: Baltimore County Public Schools Announces Launch of Rising Together Mental Health Screening Program Pilot
Baltimore County Public Schools, in partnership with Ray Lewis and the Ray of Hope Foundation, Possibilities for Change, J&B Medical, and the Stephen and Renee Biscotti Foundation, today announced the launch of the Rising Together Schoolwide Mental Health Screening Program. The program, which will be offered in 15 BCPS schools, connects students ages 8–18 with confidential mental health and wellness screenings designed to identify depression, anxiety, and other risk factors early. Schools will receive data-driven insights that help guide interventions, referrals, and ongoing support for students and families.
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The Rising Together initiative provides full program support through implementation screening; intervention and resources; professional development for school staff; family engagement and skill building; and data to support tiered interventions for students.
The following BCPS schools will participate in the pilot:
- Chesapeake High School
- Deep Creek Elementary School
- Deep Creek Middle School
- Dogwood Elementary School
- Featherbed Lane Elementary School
- Hawthorne Elementary School
- Hebbville Elementary School
- Johnnycake Elementary School
- Mars Estates Elementary School
- Sandy Plains Elementary
- Southwest Academy
- Stemmers Run Middle School
- Sussex Elementary School
- Woodlawn High School
- Woodlawn Middle School
Parents/caregivers of students at the pilot schools will receive more details and information about the screening tool, timeline for screening, and consent process. They will also have the chance to review the selected screening tools. School staff will receive training on the screening process and screening follow-up this school year. After a student completes the screening, families will be notified immediately if the screening results indicate a high risk for behavioral health concerns and will receive personalized information and resources based on their child’s results.
Read the news release