Abstract
Central Americans have endured challenging experiences that have forced them out of their countries and led them to migrate to the United States. These experiences occur during pre-, trans-, and post-migration periods and often result in trauma. Once in the U.S., it is the responsibility of schools to serve this unique and vulnerable population. The growing numbers of refugees and their heightened risk of mental health problems highlight the need for awareness around this population and the need for appropriate mental health intervention in the schools. The literature review explores how the migration experience impacts mental health and provides tools and resources for school psychologists to utilize with Central American refugee children in U.S. schools. The project, Supporting the Mental Health of Central American Refugee Children in the Schools, was developed to address the shortage of resources related to this topic and to prepare school psychologists to work with Central American refugee children and their families in U.S. schools. The interventions within the project are addressed within a three-tiered model to improve refugee mental health in the schools.