Eluma Mental Health & Special Education Solutions

09/11/2025

We went back in the archives to our conversation with Laurie VanderPloeg about teacher appreciation and retention. This is a note we wrote down! Here are a few other takeaways- which one do you need the most right now?

1. Retention is recruitment. When staff feel supported and valued, they’re more likely to stay (and that culture attracts new talent).

2. Workload matters as much as caseload. The number of students is only part of the picture; the intensity and paperwork demands are just as important.

3. Leaders set the tone. Administrative support, clear roles, and recognition are consistently cited as top reasons educators stay or leave.

4. Induction and mentoring are non-negotiable. Early-career staff (and even long-term substitutes) need structured mentoring and professional learning to thrive.

5. Elevating the profession changes perception. Recognition, storytelling, and celebrating success publicly are retention strategies, not extras.

09/10/2025

If you only click through one post today, have it be this one.

Recognizing distress is su***de prevention! Recognizing these signs early is crucial; parents and teachers play pivotal roles in identifying and supporting students through challenging times.

Swipe through to see signs of destress by age.

***deprevention ***depreventionday

09/09/2025

Three upcoming webinars you won’t want to miss 👇

Enhancing Teletherapy: Essential Tools for Speech Therapy Success
Explore the tools and strategies speech-language pathologists are using to deliver effective, student-centered teletherapy.
👉 https://hubs.ly/Q03Gml9S0

A New Practitioner’s Guide to IEP Referrals
Get a practical refresher on IEP referrals, development, and implementation—perfect for new or seasoned professionals.
👉 https://hubs.ly/Q03GmlKf0

Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Virtual Therapy Sessions
Discover how AI is shaping school-based practice in this intermediate-level session.
👉 https://hubs.ly/Q03GmkG50

Mark your calendar and save your spot today! These webinars are free and designed to strengthen your school-based practice.

This intermediate webinar explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in school-based practice.

09/08/2025

We’re proud to share that eLuma has been named a 2025 Top Workplace by The Salt Lake Tribune

This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from our team through confidential employee feedback. The survey measured respect, support, empowerment, and opportunities for growth- all things we strive to live every day.

As our CEO Andy Myers shared:
“Being recognized as a Top Workplace speaks to the way our team shows up for one another. It reflects our openness, collaboration, and commitment to making eLuma not just a place to work, but a place to thrive.”

At eLuma, we believe that when people feel supported in their careers, wellness, and growth, they can do their best work for students, schools, and communities. From our annual company summit to wellness-focused closures and a comprehensive benefits package, we’re intentional about creating balance and investing in our people.

We’re grateful for this recognition and even more grateful for the incredible team that makes eLuma what it is.

09/08/2025

Houston County Schools faced a challenge familiar to many districts: filling therapy gaps during staff turnover and expanding mental health support without overburdening their team.

With eLuma, they’ve created a system that adapts to shifting needs while keeping services consistent for 30,000+ students.

See how they did it and what your district can learn from their story.
Read the full case study linked in the comments.

09/05/2025

“Students don’t just need services. They need connection.” 💡

That’s one of the powerful truths Brandy Samuell, our Director of Mental Health and Related Services at eLuma, shares in her recent conversation on the Teaching Learning Leading K12 podcast.

With more than 30 years in education (from classroom teacher to assistant superintendent) Brandy has seen firsthand how complex student needs have become. In this episode, she opens up about:

-Why mental well-being has to be a priority, not an afterthought
-The dangers of turning to AI as a replacement for human care
-How technology can help when it’s used to build real human connection

If you’re a school leader, this is one of those conversations that will stick with you. It’s honest, practical, and deeply rooted in what kids really need from the adults who guide them.

Take a few minutes and listen! Link in the comments.

09/03/2025

At the end of the day, it’s not about contracts or compliance checklists. It’s about students.

A dependable, customizable solution ensures timely access to care for every child who needs it.

That’s the impact eLuma delivers.

09/02/2025

At eLuma, we help you get closer to that reality with:

-Supplemental providers that lighten the load
-Training that streamlines processes
-Support that keeps classrooms inclusive

So you'll have more time for what matters.

08/29/2025

Running engaging, effective teletherapy sessions is all about having the right tools at your fingertips. Here are 10 of our favorites for school-based speech therapy:

1️⃣ Interactive whiteboard platforms
2️⃣ Digital flashcard libraries
3️⃣ Boom Cards
4️⃣ Kahoot! or Quizizz
5️⃣ Storybird or Book Creator
6️⃣ Google Slides + images/icons
7️⃣ Jamboard or FigJam
8️⃣ Canva for Education
9️⃣ Voki (voice-powered avatars)
🔟 Wheel of Names

We’ll share how to use tools like these, (plus real-world case studies and multi-goal activities) in our upcoming webinar:

Enhancing Teletherapy: Essential Tools for Speech Therapy Success

Wed, Sept. 24 — 1 PM ET | 0.1 ASHA CEU | Presented by Sarah Plunkett, MS CCC-SLP

Want to learn more? Save your spot and register- link in the comments.

08/27/2025

“The whole vibe is different.”

That’s how one middle school principal described the shift after her school banned cellphones during the day. More eye contact. More class participation. Fewer conflicts that started on social media.

It’s a big trend. As of this summer, 30+ states have enacted cellphone restrictions in schools. But here’s the thing: simply saying “no phones” doesn’t guarantee success.

The schools making it work are:
-Involving parents, staff, and students in shaping the rules
-Enforcing them consistently (no gray areas)
-Pairing restrictions with digital citizenship lessons

At eLuma, we know policies only stick when they support student wellbeing and learning. That’s why we created a free checklist with 6 practical ways administrators are making cellphone bans work in 2025.

Get the checklist linked in the comments.

08/26/2025

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08/25/2025

Eluma Mental Health & Special Education Solutions delivers end-to-end student services for online special education and behavioral health to K-12 schools nationwide. They partner and consult with school districts to empower students to access their education, achieve their potential, and know their rights. We are grateful for their support of our Civics for Everyone initiative.

Learn more about the initiative and how you can support the Institute! https://bit.ly/4jBYuQp