Department of Pupil Services Supporting The Whole Child: Services to Address the Social- Emotional Needs of All Students Department of Pupil Services

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Intensive Intervention (FEW) Individual Counseling, Student Development Groups, Insight, Individualized Behavioral Interventions, Crisis Intervention, Wrap Around, Referrals for Mental Health, Restorative Conferences Building Social Emotional & Resiliency Skills Early Intervention (SOME) Counseling Groups, Social Skills Groups, Check In Check Out, Suicide Screening & Intervention, Threat Assessment, Restorative Practice Circles, PEER, School Ambassadors Prevention (ALL) Classroom Counseling Lessons, Character Education, Bullying Prevention (Stop-Walk-Talk & Expect Respect), Developmental Assets, Depression Awareness Suicide Prevention, Substance Abuse Education, Explicit instruction of PBIS expectations

PUPIL SERVICES STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM Early Intervening Coordinator Behavior Support Coordinator Social Worker Psychologist Counselor PUPIL SERVICES STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM Eligibility Coordinator Nurse/ Clinic Specialist Special Education Supervisor Student Assistance Specialist Educational Diagnostician Attendance Officer

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports PBIS is a research-based, school-wide systems approach to improve school climate and to teach students prosocial behaviors. PBIS school team and faculty commitment 3-5 positively stated behavioral expectations/routines are defined Lesson plans for teaching expectations and routines are implemented Reinforcement feedback is provided for appropriate behaviors Procedures for handling discipline are outlined Data is recorded and analyzed to make decisions Action plan is developed, implemented, and evaluated

Depression Awareness/Suicide Prevention Depression Awareness Suicide Prevention program – Tier 1 Ninth Grade – Health and Physical Education class presentations. Booster program for upper grades (Tier 2) for targeted schools Teaches students a simple steps to take using the easy-to-remember acronym, ACT® (Acknowledge, Care, Tell), if students encounter a situation that requires help from a trusted adult. Based on the Signs of Suicide® program, the only evidence-based program demonstrating a reduction (40%) in suicide attempts Delivered through a planned lesson, educational video, and guided classroom discussion Suicide Screening and Intervention – Tier 2/3 Goals are to: Ensure student safety Refer to school staff with training and job responsibility to professionally assess suicide risk Communicate with parents to find appropriate care Provide follow up support

Resilience Building in Our Schools Developmental Assets: Tier 1 Framework for instruction and support. Builds on the principles that positive characteristics form the foundation of the healthy development of children and adolescents ASSESTS

Developmental Assets External: Supported through LCPS partnerships with Loudoun County agencies and work groups as well as collaboration between student/family and schools. Internal: Developed through school counseling activities, classroom instruction, small group and individual groups and reinforced through existing programs (PEER, PBIS, Ambassadors) External- community and family oriented (support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time) Internal – more school oriented (commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, positive identity)

The 4th “R”: Resilience Resilience helps students: deal with stress and adversity, overcome disadvantage, be open to new opportunities. more successful in school and jobs happier in relationships less susceptible to anxiety and depression

Restorative Practices Purpose: To provide a positive approach to resolving conflict, reducing suspension, improving behavior and developing emotional literacy, empathy, truth telling and responsibility. Whole School – Tier One This would include the use of restorative language in addressing each other, deliberate use of behaviors that are considerate of others. Classroom/Small Group – Tier Two Restorative circles can be used for prevention and create a restorative classroom environment that builds relationships and teaches basic conflict resolution Incident specific - Tier Three Restorative Conference–is used as a positive discipline alternative.

PEER/Student Ambassadors- Tier Two PEER is typically delivered during the school as a non-graded elective co-facilitated by a teacher, school counselor and school social worker. The PEER curriculum focuses on teaching students skills to be a peer resource and support for students who would benefit from a friendly and empathetic peer. Student Ambassadors are identified by teachers and school staff as leaders within the school community who can be effective in helping to reinforce school norms of positive and supportive peer culture.

Substance Abuse Prevention Services Tier one Substance Abuse Education Classroom Presentations: provided to 8th and 10th graders on the risks of substance use and positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol. Tier two Drug and alcohol assessments Substance Abuse Prevention and Education Support groups Tier three Insight –3 Day Intensive Education/Prevention Program that is required of students who have violated LCPS’ drug/alcohol policy. Individual Substance Abuse Counseling- for students requiring individual support

The central and most consistent individual is the school counselor How can we help? The central and most consistent individual is the school counselor both as a provider and referral source to other professionals on the team since they are on site in the school every day.

The School Counselor as a member of the Pupil Services Student Support Team, can help students and families access numerous services. Elementary – School Counselor Middle – Each student has an assigned counselor and each counselor group has an assigned “lead” counselor High – The Director of School Counseling serves as the administrator for the department in each school. Each student has an assigned counselor.

A sample of School Counseling support and resources… Classroom – Tier One Includes weekly lessons in elementary schools; classroom visits and regular interaction in secondary schools, Bullying Prevention, Depression/Suicide Awareness Teacher consultation/collaboration Contributions to student assistance teams or child study Small Group – Tier Two Small groups for social skills, life situations (changing families, transitions) Criteria based groups for healthy relationships, identified issues (stress, anxiety) Individual – Tier Three Support for school issues – may result in referral for other school or outside resources Provides in-school individual counseling, support and skill building; does not replace outside treatment

School counselors are available to provide… Classroom – Tier One Example-Teacher informs the counselors that many of the 6th grade students in her English class are struggling with the academic and social/personal transition to middle school. School counselors are available to provide… Weekly lessons during classroom visit to teach study and test taking skills, time management, academic goal setting, bullying prevention, depression awareness. A needs assessment to learn what students feel is their biggest stressor in transitioning. Follow up with teacher and parents to check on individual student progress. With parental permission, a referral to student assistance teams or child study teams for those students who continue to struggle academically.

Small Group – Tier Two Example-A 4th grader is anxious and angry because his parents have recently divorced. He throws his books in the trash and says that school is stupid. Teacher approaches the counselor with her concerns. With parental permission, school counselors are able to provide… Small or criteria based groups co-facilitated with the school social worker for social skills, life situations (changing families, transitions), healthy relationships, identity issues (stress, anxiety, anger management) Weekly progress reports to monitor academic and personal/social wellness. Follow up with teacher and parents to report on progress.

Tier Three-Individual Example-A student informs the counselor that her friend not eating or sleeping because she failed her Chemistry test. In addition, her boyfriend just broke up with her and the prom is in 2 weeks. Student reports that her friend seems very withdrawn. With parental permission, school counselors can provide… Individual counseling to support school based issues and skill building – may result in referral to other schools or outside community resources if needed. This support does not replace outside treatment. A mental health referral to LCPS Mental Health or other outside providers. Parents are provided with a list of practitioners that includes area of counseling expertise. A release to collaborate with a mental health provider to stay current with student progress

Bullying Prevention-School Wide Explicit Teaching of Expected Behaviors – Tier One Stop, Walk and Talk – Elementary Expect Respect – Secondary Purpose: Teach students the skills to demonstrate appropriate pro-social behaviors that will establish and maintain a positive culture built on the expectation of respectful behavior and the expectation that everyone will intervene positively when the expectation is not met.

Contact Information John Lody, Director, Prevention and Intervention John.Lody@lcps.org 571-252-1013 Dr. Suzanne Jimenez, Director, Student Services Suzanne.jimenez@lcps.org 571-252-1012 Jeannine Cummings, Supervisor, School Counseling Jeannine.cummings@lcps.org 571-252-1017

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