MTSS Framework at Cicero Public Schools: A Holistic Approach to Support

At Cicero Public Schools (D99), student success is about more than just academics—it’s about educating the whole child. Through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), D99 ensures that every student receives the right interventions at the right time for academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

However, as mental health challenges grew, D99 recognized a gap in external mental health support, leading to delays in services, overwhelmed staff, and students struggling to access care.

By embedding Care Solace into their MTSS framework, D99 streamlined the process for connecting students and families with mental health providers, making support faster, more accessible, and easier to track.

This case study outlines D99’s MTSS framework, how they integrated Care Solace, and key lessons for other districts looking to enhance student support systems.

Understanding D99's MTSS Framework

What is MTSS?

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a data-driven framework that systematically addresses student needs in three areas:

1. Academics: Ensuring every student achieves at grade level or beyond with tiered interventions for struggling learners.
2. Behavior: Addressing student behavior challenges with restorative practices, skills training, and proactive supports.
3. Attendance: Identifying and addressing barriers to regular attendance, including anxiety, school refusal, and systemic inequities.
   

D99’s Tiered Approach to Student Support

Dr. Jack Rein, Director of MTSS at D99, explains: "MTSS isn’t just about academics—it’s about supporting the whole child. Care Solace fits into our system as a bridge between what we can provide in schools and the care students need beyond our walls."

Discover more about how Care Solace integrates with MTSS to provide seamless mental health support for students and staff.

Weekly Problem-Solving Meetings: The Heart of MTSS at D99

To ensure timely interventions, D99 holds structured, weekly problem-solving meetings at every school.

How Problem-Solving Meetings Work

• Data-Driven Decision-Making – Teams analyze attendance records, SEL screener results, behavior logs, and academic performance to flag students needing support.
• Collaborative Intervention Planning – Educators, social workers, and administrators work together to match students with the right level of support.
• Actionable Next Steps – When external mental health care is needed, Care Solace is recommended as a key Tier 2 or Tier 3 resource.

"These meetings are where the magic happens," said Sonya, District Mental Health Coach. "Every week, we sit down, review data, and figure out how to layer in the right supports for every student."

Who Attends Problem-Solving Meetings?

• MTSS Coaches – Ensure structured conversations and follow-up actions.
• Social Workers – Provide insights into mental health challenges and family needs.
• Counselors & Psychologists – Share data from SEL screeners and behavior observations.
• Administrators – Ensure that plans align with school policies and track outcomes.
• Teachers – Provide real-time classroom observations on student needs.

"These meetings are interdisciplinary by design," Dr. Ryan explained. "Every voice at the table contributes to creating a holistic plan for each student."

Process During a Meeting

1. Case Review:

• Review student data from academic, behavioral, and SEL screenings.
• Discuss teacher referrals or observations.

2. Goal Setting:

• Define clear, measurable goals for the student’s improvement.
• Assign interventions based on Tier 2 or Tier 3 needs.

3. Intervention Planning:

• Determine appropriate supports, such as Tier 2 behavior groups, trauma-informed practices, or external referrals through Care Solace.
• Develop a follow-up plan for tracking progress.

4. Care Solace Integration:

• If a student’s needs extend beyond what the school can provide, the team recommends Care Solace for connecting families with external mental health providers.
• Families receive guidance on how to use the platform effectively.
  

"Care Solace is brought up often in these meetings," said Sonya. "If a student or family needs something beyond what we can offer in school, it’s a natural next step."

How Care Solace is Embedded into the MTSS Model

D99 didn’t just add Care Solace as an extra tool—they made it a core part of their MTSS workflow.

How Care Solace Supports Each Tier of MTSS

• Universal (Tier 1) – District-wide communication about Care Solace ensures all families and staff know how to access help if needed.
• Targeted (Tier 2) – Students identified in problem-solving meetings are connected with Care Solace for counseling and mental health support.
• Intensive (Tier 3) – Students facing crises or severe trauma are immediately referred to Care Solace for urgent mental health care.

"Care Solace is part of the way we do business—it’s not just another tool. It’s embedded in our intervention process so that when a student needs help, we can act quickly," said Dr. Ryan.

Success in Action

Example: A Middle School Student Struggling with Anxiety

• Issue Identified: A seventh-grade student was frequently absent due to school anxiety. Teachers noted avoidance behaviors and academic struggles.
• Intervention: During a weekly meeting, the MTSS team recommended a Tier 2 group focused on coping strategies and referred the family to Care Solace for outside therapy.
• Outcome: Within two weeks, the family reported that the student had begun therapy, and attendance improved steadily as anxiety decreased.

"This process shows how Care Solace complements our in-school supports," Sonya emphasized. "We’re not just helping the student—we’re helping the family."

Conclusion

Cicero Public Schools’ structured MTSS framework and the seamless integration of Care Solace have transformed the district’s approach to supporting students. Weekly problem-solving meetings ensure that no student falls through the cracks, while Care Solace bridges the gap between school-based support and external mental health services.

"When you build systems that work, students thrive. Care Solace has become a cornerstone of our MTSS process, helping us educate the whole child,"  Dr. Ryan concluded.