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Devereux Center for Effective Schools’ Lisa Thomas receives ‘Recovery and Resiliency Award’

Devereux Center for Effective Schools (CES) Assistant Director Lisa Thomas, Ph.D., NCSP, recently received the 2021 Montgomery County “Recovery and Resiliency Award” for her efforts to promote social and emotional learning in schools throughout Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Lisa was recognized during the 43rd annual Montgomery County Mental Health Awards Reception, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Mental Health.

“I was incredibly honored to receive this award,” Lisa said. “The work CES is doing in partnership with HHS and Montgomery County schools is important and meaningful to me. We have the opportunity to build capacity for schools to deliver universal preventative practices to help increase students’ social and emotional learning skills. Our efforts can have a significant and positive impact on the lives of youth, including my own child who is benefitting from our work.”

Helping students achieve social-emotional success

The Montgomery County “Recovery and Resiliency Award” is presented annually to individuals, programs and organizations that demonstrate exceptional personal accomplishment and resiliency; set positive examples for others; and/or show outstanding dedication in support of recovery for persons in pursuit of mental wellness.

Lisa and the CES team are helping to provide training, coaching and technical assistance to teachers and other school professionals in Montgomery County school districts as they implement social and emotional learning curricula and evidence-based classroom management practices. Read a previous news article on this topic.

During the virtual awards reception, Montgomery County mental health officials said, “Lisa listens to the needs of each school district; customizes her trainings; and provides ongoing support for school administration and teachers. … She models excellent trauma-informed meeting management, and is known to say, ‘We’re here to support you and your team,’ while meeting with district teams and county staff.”

Lisa noted, “Our goal is to help students increase self-awareness, improve behaviors and succeed both in and out of the classroom.”

Learn more about the Devereux Center for Effective Schools, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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