Introducing ISF-SHINE (2025–2029)

A five-year grant from Education Innovation and Research (EIR) will fund School Health and Interventions for Nurturing Excellence (ISF-SHINE). This innovative program is designed to transform student behavior and academic success across Lake County elementary schools by integrating mental health services directly into the school day.

A Proven Approach to Success

This "Mid-phase" grant is specifically awarded to programs that have already demonstrated success at a local level. ISF-SHINE focuses on refining the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF), which blends two powerhouse educational models:

  • PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports): A proactive framework that establishes clear behavioral expectations and rewards positive actions.

  • MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support): A data-driven approach ensuring every student receives the right level of support—ranging from general classroom strategies to intensive, individualized interventions.

“This investment will improve student well-being, behavior, and academic achievement while expanding critical mental health services for our students.” — Dr. Michael Karner, Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools.

Why This Matters for Our Community

By securing these federal dollars, the Lake County Regional Office of Education (LCROE) is bringing high-impact improvements to our schools without any additional cost to local taxpayers.

  • Strengthening Schools: Provides teachers with better tools and data to support students.

  • Expanding Mental Health: Increases access to vital resources for children.

  • National Leadership: Positions Lake County as a model for educational innovation that other regions nationwide can follow.

About the EIR Program

The Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program supports groundbreaking ideas that address persistent educational challenges. It prioritizes equity and innovation, funding solutions that have the potential to scale and solve long-standing problems for underserved students.

ISF-SHINE Study

Project ISF-SHINE aims to expand the reach of ISF across the U.S. by (a) making the ISF professional learning (PL) model replicable and scalable by developing a free web-based PL platform, (b) implementing PL through a regional technical assistance organization, (c) bringing ISF to a new region of the U.S., and (d) implementing an randomized control trial with many more schools and students than any prior study.

A Powerhouse Partnership

The success of Project ISF-SHINE is driven by a collaboration between the Lake County ROE and the nation’s leading experts in educational research and implementation.

By uniting these prestigious organizations, we are ensuring that Lake County schools benefit from world-class innovation and evidence-based support.

National Expertise, Local Impact

The Midwest PBIS Network, University of Florida, and WestEd all bring deep experience from previous national ISF research. This partnership ensures that Lake County isn't just participating in a program—we are at the forefront of the national conversation on student well-being.