MARSHFIELD — Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health and Security Health Plan are now accepting applications from eligible school districts to implement b.e.s.t. Universal Screening in the 2025-26 school year.

b.e.s.t. is an online screening tool designed to assist educators in fostering the emotional health of students while identifying those who may require additional behavioral support. Developed by school psychologist Dr. Eric P. Hartwig, b.e.s.t. offers educators straightforward, positive strategies to help students thrive in their school environment.

“This differs from typical interventions that are only implemented when there are problem behaviors in the classroom,” said Jay Shrader, vice president of Marshfield Clinic Community Impact and Social Accountability. “The last several years have increased the attention on student mental health and we are proud to continue supporting the b.e.s.t. program as a universal solution to support students’ well-being.”

Schools awarded a grant receive technical support, biannual screenings for students, and training consultation and support for teachers and staff. For more information, go to https://www.bestuniversalscreening.com/contact and request the grant application under the option labeled “OTHER”.

Applications are due Friday, May 16. Applicants that will receive the grants will be notified May 23.

School districts eligible to receive the grant are located in Dickinson County or one of these Wisconsin counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green Lake, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Oneida, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Richland, Rusk, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Washburn, Waupaca, Waushara or Wood.

“We are very fortunate and thankful to be able to continue to grow our Behavioral Health partnership with Security Health Plan, Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health,” Hartwig said. “Our b.e.s.t. team continues to innovate ways to help teachers and school teams to more effectively and efficiently support positive behavioral health practices in the classroom based on screening data that matches interventions to student needs.”

For the 2024-25 school year, 111 schools received the b.e.s.t.® platform, which includes technical support, biannual student screenings, training, consultation and ongoing assistance. Since 2013, Security Health Plan has championed the implementation of b.e.s.t. Universal Screening in 85 school districts, having a positive effect on more than 500,000 students and more than 12,000 educators and staff.

Marshfield Clinic Health System, now Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health, is a health system that serves Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with more than 1,400 providers comprising 170 specialties, health plan, and research and education programs. Primary operations include more than 60 Marshfield Clinic locations, 11 hospitals, Marshfield Children’s Hospital, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Security Health Plan and Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation.

Security Health Plan of Wisconsin Inc. is a not-for-profit health plan that has served Wisconsin since 1971 with health insurance coverage for employees of large and small businesses, individuals and families. Additionally, Insite by Security Health Plan offers full-service medical third-party administration in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.