精东传媒

STUDENT WELLNESS & ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Student wellness and academic support services provide comprehensive support to assist all students in maximizing academic achievement. These services are delivered by school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, substance abuse counselors, interventionists, and community partner agencies.

Parents may contact their child’s school for additional information on the student support services offered. Parents may also contact the 精东传媒 Student Wellness & 精东传媒 Support department with questions or concerns at 980-343-2383.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Every school in 精东传媒 implements Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). MTSS is a tiered framework, which promotes school improvement through engaging, research-based academic and behavioral practices. North Carolina employs a systems approach, using data-driven problem solving to maximize growth for all students. So what does this mean for you and your student? It means that ALL students will be provided the instruction they need to make progress towards standards. All students will receive core academic, social-emotional, and behavioral instruction. The school MTSS Leadership team will check to make sure the practices are being used effectively. When groups of students or individual students are not making progress, then the school MTSS leadership, or grade/content area teams will review the instruction, the curriculum, and the environment to consider what changes are necessary to meet the needs of the students. Parents are a vital part of this problem-solving process. Some students may need a supplemental layer of support via small group instruction or counseling). Based on a review of multiple data points, students who are not successful with supplemental support will be directed to the school’s individual student problem solving team to be considered for intensive intervention.

Benefits of a Multi-Tiered System of Support include, but are not limited to:

• Early screening of all students for the purpose of identifying problems that could impact learning
• Maximizing student achievement through whole-child problem solving, which is a method inclusive of parents
• Steady monitoring of student progress
• Increased communication regarding student progress and achievement
• Use of evidence-based instructional and behavioral interventions to meet student needs

School Counseling

The fundamental role of school counselors is to implement comprehensive school counseling programs that improve student outcomes in the areas of academic achievement, social emotional learning and college and career readiness. Counselors work collaboratively to lead, advocate, and promote equity and access for all students by connecting their comprehensive program with their school’s and district’s mission to foster a positive learning environment and support student growth.

Through a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors:

• Advise students, parents and staff on topics related to academic success
• Assist students in selecting appropriate courses to support their educational and career goals
• Counsel with students, individually and in groups, on normal developmental issues
• Help students transition from different grade levels and advise them through the college admissions process
• Assist students and parents with attendance and behavioral concerns
• Facilitate parent-teacher communication as necessary
• Serve as liaisons and support to connect students, parents and staff with community resources and opportunities
• Serve as student advocates in the educational setting
• Interpret test results and appropriately advise students based on data
• Assist with and respond to students and families in crisis
• Provide prevention and intervention strategies to promote student success
• Complete suicide and mental health assessments and link families with appropriate community resources

School Psychological Services

School psychologists are mental health professionals who specialize in child development, the psychology of learning and behavior, curriculum and instruction, and skills in mental health and educational interventions. School psychologists are licensed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and some may be recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists as Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP).

School Psychologists:

• Use decision-making processes in collaboration with other team members to identify academic and behavior problems
• Assist with development and implementation of effective interventions that are based upon data collected and the outcomes of selected interventions
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with students, school personnel, community professionals, agencies, families and schools
• Work to help create healthy learning environments that promote optimal teaching and learning environments
• Help to develop academic and behavioral goals and to monitor student’s progress toward the stated goals
• Incorporate their understanding of the influence of culture, background, and individual learning characteristics when designing and implementing interventions to achieve learning and behavioral outcomes
• May provide direct counseling and indirect interventions through consultation for students with mental health problems that impede academic learning and /or social skills learning
• Complete suicide risk assessments and mental health screenings assessments and link families with appropriate community resources
• Help create linkages between schools, families, and community agencies to ensure coordinated services when multiple agencies or service providers are involved
• Conduct evaluations to help identify unique cognitive, emotional, behavioral and academic strengths and deficiencies

School Social Services

School social workers provide services in four core service areas: assessments, dropout prevention (attendance and truancy), crisis interventions and services to McKinney-Vento (homeless) students. Additionally, school social workers support social and emotional learning initiatives and are a critical part of the MTSS team.

School Social Workers:

• Link students and families with school-based services and critical community services
• Provide individual and small-group counseling and behavioral interventions to students
• Complete social histories for students being referred for evaluation for Exceptional Children (EC) services and continuing to receive EC services
• Assist teachers, administrators and parents with the development of appropriate educational and intervention plans for students
• Complete suicide and mental health assessments and link families with appropriate community resources
• Conduct home visits to assess individual student and family needs, address attendance and truancy concerns, and respond to student, family and school community concerns
• Coordinate crisis services for students and families and serve as a liaison between the home, school and community
• Coordinate and implement truancy intervention programs; refer cases to 精东传媒 Student Services Department for prosecution as needed
• Provide case management services and social work services to McKinney-Vento students and their families
• Collaborate with many community agency partners to respond to a broad range of student and family needs that impact academic achievement and successful adjustment to school
• Consult and collaborate with school administrators, teachers and school-based teams to assess student needs and develop intervention plans and provide support services to students

Substance Abuse Services

All schools have access to substance abuse prevention and intervention services from a qualified Student Assistance Program counselor who:

• Provides short-term evidence-based substance abuse counseling and substance use disorder screening to students
• Provides referral services for students and families whose needs are beyond what can be addressed in the school setting
• Collaborates with schools to promote substance awareness and safety, and school staff member knowledge of current drug trends
• Assists schools in identifying evidence-based prevention programs and presentations for use with student, staff, and parent groups
• Consults with parents and staff about individual students with known or suspected substance use challenges

Parents often wonder where they can receive assistance if they suspect that their child is using marijuana, prescription drugs, alcohol, or other substances. The Student Assistance Program counselor can conduct a screening and assessment, can offer information about community resources, can provide psycho-education, and brief counseling services when appropriate. Student Assistance Program counselors also work with students and their families when there is a violation of the district’s Code of Conduct related to drug and alcohol usage and possession (Rule 28).

All Student Assistance Program counselor records are maintained separately for confidentiality purposes. The Student Assistance Program cannot administer any form of drug testing nor can they divulge whether a student has disclosed substance use.

To reach the Student Assistance Program counselor assigned to your child’s school, please call the 精东传媒 Mental Health Program Specialist at (980) 344-0414.

School-Based Mental Health Program:

In collaboration with community mental health providers, many 精东传媒 schools have therapists available on campus to provide outpatient mental health therapy for students in need of treatment. A member of the school’s student services team must refer students for these services, and parental consent and participation is required. Generally, services are funded by student’s medical insurance but limited financial assistance is available.

To inquire about this service, please contact your school counselor or call the 精东传媒 Mental Health Program Specialist at (980) 344-0414.