Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools (BHELS)

Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools

Partnering to create more just, healthy, and productive learning environments.

The William James College Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools provides school districts, leaders, and educators with the skills, resources, and support to drive and implement systemic transformation. Through our innovative academic programs and comprehensive consulting services, we are working together to build healthy, inclusive school climates and foster sustainable, positive change.

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Graduate Certificate in School Leadership

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Leading Transformative Mental Health in Schools: A Systems Intervention for K-12 Schools

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Impact360

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Freedman K-12 Consulting

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Educational Leadership Coaching

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College Mental Health Initiative

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BHELS Academic Degrees and Licensure Programs

Advance your skills, your credentials, and your power to make an impact.

If you are a school leader, or an aspiring leader, who wants to accelerate or advance your career, this is your opportunity to gain the practical, evidence-based skills and knowledge you need for success in this evolving workforce.

Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (GCSL)
Leadership Licensure Program for Superintendents (LLPS)
Leading Transformative Mental Health in Schools: A Systems Intervention for K-12 Schools
Licensed Educational Psychologist Program (LEP)

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BHELS Consulting Services

The BHELS Center supports K–12 leaders by bringing educators and administrators, like you, together to learn, reflect, and solve challenges alongside peers. Through coaching, workshops, and learning sessions focused on behavioral health, equity, curriculum, and leadership, the Center helps schools strengthen practice and create lasting, positive change. Explore our consulting services and training opportunities.

Administrator Roundtable Series
Educational Leadership Coaching
Freedman K-12 Consulting

 

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Meet Our Team

Our expert consultants view challenges through a psychology-informed lens—enabling us to identify root causes and provide high-impact solutions.

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What's in a name?

We work with you to create equitable, emotionally healthy, and safe learning and working environments. Our name represents our core areas of commitment.

Behavioral Health

Students' emotional wellbeing is critical to their development and academic success.  Based on a wealth of clinical expertise from research and practice, our systemic consultation and programming support student mental health and the promotion of a healthy school climate for students, educators, and administrators.

Equity

Our work is centered on a high impact, solutions-based approach to achieve the goals of equity and inclusivity.  We are intentional and purposeful in our programming and work to equip leaders and educators with the tools to create sustainable, positive change.

Leadership

Programs build leadership capacity at the classroom, school, and district levels through systemic development of climate and culture, equity, teamwork, and instructional practices. Leadership licensure, degree, and certificate programs are offered for aspiring superintendents, principals, and educators.

News Highlights

William James College Unveils College Mental Health Initiative and Examines its Origin

The College Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) came on the heels of increased demand for mental health services across the country, and reaching an all-time high in the Commonwealth. The CMHI responds to the need to deliver care using the resources available; namely, training educators in how to address student mental health and well-being by cultivating connection and belonging rather than relying upon an outdated clinical model.


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College Mental Health Initiative Launched at William James College

WJC’s collaboration with the Ruderman Family Foundation, an internationally recognized organization that works to end the stigma associated with mental health and aims to increase awareness of—and the availability of—mental health services on college campuses, will create opportunities to engage a community of faculty and student-facing staff across New England geared towards promoting safe, positive, and equitable campus cultures.


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