Our Instructors
The staff at the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health bring a wealth of experience in advancing school mental health through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates research, training, and practical implementation. With decades of combined expertise, the team has supported schools throughout the United States in developing and maintaining comprehensive school mental health systems. Their background includes conducting needs assessments, facilitating professional development, providing ongoing coaching, and assisting districts in aligning mental health supports within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). The Rutgers CCSMH team is recognized for its collaborative and data-informed strategies that connect policy with practice, ultimately improving student well-being and enhancing school climate.
Meet them below.
Kristy M. Ritvalsky, MPH
Deputy Director and Project Manager, Rutgers University
Kristy Ritvalsky, MPH, serves as Deputy Director of the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health within the School of Health Professions’ Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. In this role, she supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive school mental health initiatives that promote student well-being and academic success. With a background in public health, Ritvalsky brings expertise in program coordination, cross-sector collaboration, and capacity-building to help schools and districts strengthen sustainable, equitable mental health systems. Her work focuses on translating research into practice and advancing strategies that support the whole child across diverse educational settings.
Courses Taught: Why Attendance Matters
kmr359@shp.rutgers.edu
Alicia Lukachko, DrPH, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor and Implementation Coach, Rutgers University
Dr, Lukachko is a leader within the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health and serves as Director of the Eye2Eye Peer Support Program for Vision Loss. Her work focuses on advancing equitable mental health services through research, clinical practice, and community-based initiatives, with particular expertise in peer support, disability, and integrated behavioral health. She is dedicated to improving access to high-quality, person-centered care and strengthening systems that support the well-being of diverse populations across educational and healthcare settings.
Allison Casal-Dunn, MS
Senior Training and Consultation Specialist
Allison Casal-Dunn, MS, is a Senior Training and Consultation Specialist with the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health (Rutgers-CCSMH). She has extensive experience advocating for student and staff wellness and collaborating with school and district leadership to develop systems prioritizing health in educational environments. Her work focuses on building capacity to integrate mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and responsive supports within sustainable systems. Allison holds teaching certifications in special education and health education in New York and New Jersey, along with an advanced certificate in social-emotional learning and leadership. She is trained in restorative practices and has experience implementing restorative approaches to discipline and school climate.
support hours
Monday through Friday
9am – 4:30pm
(Eastern Time)
Address
Rutgers University
PD4Me New Jersey
Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions
675 Hoes Lane West, 8th Floor
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Funding
This project is funded by the NJ Department of Education with support from the USDOE, IDEA Part B, and the Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV, Part A.
