Supporting Parents and Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Rural Settings: Administrator Perspectives

One strategy to improve outcomes for students with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families in rural settings is providing parental support. Through interviews with special education administrators and student services personnel representing several rural regions, this exploratory study sought to identify the needs of youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and their families, potential barriers to accessing school and community services, and the feasibility of implementing a phone-based parent-to-parent support program in rural communities. Findings indicated increased efforts in providing mental health services in the school, several service access barriers, and strategies for improving parent support in rural settings.