1. Topics: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
                                                                            
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Counselor
Training
Welcome to the Counselor training for the LINKS student advising program. This training:
Explains the who, why, where, when and how for implementing the LINKS program
Describes your role and responsibilities for making LINKS a success at your school
Points out resources that will support preparation, implementation, first-year wrap-up, and evaluation of the program
If you have not reviewed Part I to this training which is a overall Introduction to LINKS, please do so now before continuing this presentation.
Otherwise, Let’s get started!
Topics:   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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2. As counselor, you certainly continue to provide the same support to students and staff as always. Related to the LINKS program, you are part of the steering committee at your school. Let’s take a look at some of the ways a counselor supports the LINKS program indirectly. 2

3. 3 Some things you will need to do prior to implementing LINKS include:
Counselors play an important role on the steering committee. Complete this training.
Review the Web site and become familiar with its’ many resources, especially those in the Counselor section
You will also need to work with the coordinator to develop, revise and store portfolio folders for students providing advisors’ access to vital student information such as graduation checklists, unofficial transcripts, test scores and certificates verifying student involvement in school and community activities.
You are aware of the many activities and programs at your school that can be linked to the LINKS program, such as orientation, Making High Schools Count, Making College Count, and college day. Plan early for ways to connect these and other activities to the LINKS program, especially if your school is offering LINKS for credit.
Once the school year starts you will need to continue fulfilling your usual responsibilities, but will also…
Support LINKS advisors and coordinators regarding lesson plans and activities.
You will provide counseling services and support to students referred by the LINKS advisors, and you will refer some students to outside resources, provide group counseling and/or coordinate with community resources to bring in experts for students with identified issues such as substance abuse, anger management, grief, and domestic violence
You’ll make sure students meet their graduation requirements and
Share and consult with the LINKS advisor on student transcripts, the Individualized Student Transition Plans (ISTP 5 year plans), career pathway and concentration information, school graduation requirements and checklist and portfolio planner.
Provide appropriate grade-level developmental guidance lessons on relevant topics not covered by the LINKS program
Provide educational research and respond to on-going needs of the program.
At the end of the school year….
Support the coordinators and advisors as the wrap up all tasks such as completion of program evaluations by students and advisors and the updating and secure storage of all student portfolios. 3

4. LINKS Training Advisor training Coordinator training
Counselor training
Principal training
Online training is available for all staff involved in the LINKS program. Each training can be taken individually or, in the case of advisors, in a group, and should take no more than one hour to complete.
Although, we recommend that each school has a teacher, as the coordinator, it is important for counselors to understand the role each staff member must play in order for LINKS to succeed. Therefore, we recommend you review each Power Point explaining each LINKS role. 4

5. Student Evaluation Evaluation Tab Counselor’s End of Year Program
All students at your school will participate in the LINKS program and must complete a pre- and post- online survey to assess their knowledge, attitudes and satisfaction with school, advising information and services. Following advising lessons, students will periodically complete a simple 4-question feedback form. 5

6. Although it is the advisor’s responsibility to assure that evaluations are completed by their students participating at your school, you may want to work with the advisor and coordinator to get students into computer labs so these surveys can be completed in a timely manner.

7. Counselors may need to help students get register for or complete career Cruising activities. Career Cruising is a web-based career guidance system that was offered free to schools who initially piloted LINKS. Now, it is free at a nominal fee to schools to compliment LINKS lessons. Although it is not a requirement, it will enhance each student’s career development and help you work with students in the career domain of our standards.
Student can move seamlessly through the career exploration and planning process while advisors and counselors have access to the real-time information and statistics to track your students' progress and achievement and encourage all students to continue exploring careers outside the classroom. A training Power Point is available under resources on the LINKS website. Be sure to learn about their Career Advisorm Management System and learn how you can track student’s career planning and interests.

8. A unique component of the LINKS program is that most activities you normally hold in your school that loses valuable school minutes can now be counted as instructional time. These activities include: orientation programs, special school assemblies, grade-level programs such as “Making High School Count”, Making College Count, career and college day programs, substance abuse education assemblies, can now be documented as a “LINKing Activity” and counted towards instructional time for the LINKS program if they fall understand the content standards and objectives. As counselors, it’s important to complete this LINKing Activity worksheet throughout the year as you plan your program activities. Keeping track of these group activities can also serve as documentation of time your students spend in each activity when considering course credit. 8

9. Student Referral Process
Consistent Referral process
Easy to use referral forms
Individual Student Referral
Group referral
Family concerns
As your advisors get to know their students, student referrals for individual or group counseling or to the SAT team may increase. It is important to develop a consistent referral process complete with forms and to educate staff on how to refer students they are concerned about. It is also important to give referring staff appropriate feedback, letting them know that you followed-up. 9

10. Save this as a favorite site for easy access.
Tools
The following tools are available through the LINKS Web site at
Save this as a favorite site for easy access.
Next I want to remind you of the wealth of resources available to you through the LINKS Web site, including
Internet access to supporting documents on the designated project Web site such as a LINKS Advisory Guide by grade level, approved access to videos for other similar advising programs,
Lesson plans and handouts to guide advising sessions
State policy with content standards,
A variety of forms and templates, and
Materials to use as you promote the program. There are brochures to share information with parents and others for educators. 10

11. Web site Toolbar Provides Easy Access
Advisor
Counselor
Student
Coordinator
Principal/ Steering Committee
Framework
Resources
Evaluation
The site is divided into Eight key sections for easy access to relevant information without having to navigate the entire site.
To prepare for full implementation go to the Counselor tab of the Web site—this section describes your roles and responsibilities related to LINKS Program, contains flow charts, and this power point training.

12. When does it start? Once LINKS comes to your school..
The advisor’s training must occur prior to opening day.
Advising classes begin with the school-year orientation.
Work with your principal and coordinator to see how you can help your school prepare for LINKS.
Portfolio preparation
School forms such as graduation checklists, senior project and programs of study information, etc.
If your school is implementing LINKS this year, the advisor’s training must occur prior to opening day. Talk to your school LINKS coordinator to see how you can help with training and getting materials ready for advising. 12

13. Next Steps Complete training
Parent consent forms, data base update, student portfolios
Pre-implementation evaluation
Connect activities to LINKS
Public relations
Encourage all to staff complete their training on time—it should take no more than one hour.
Help the LINKS coordinator distribute and collect parent consent forms—again, these are required for students to participate in the program evaluation.
Coordinators will then be entering the names and numbers for those students not participating into the data base. You also might help the coordinator prepare and distribute student portfolios to the assigned advisors.
Please support the evaluation process—this is a very important element that will validate program effectiveness. Students participating in the program evaluation will need to complete a pre-implementation survey by October 1st. Also encourage both advisors and students to provide lesson feedback—this will be especially helpful during this pilot year. There are Advisor Logs and student feedback forms available for this purpose.
These supporting tasks are important, but you are solely responsible for connecting the various activities at your school to the LINKS program. Since the program can be offered for credit, many other programs can help fulfill the course time requirement. But more importantly, it helps make the advising content more relevant to students when they see how everything fits together.
Work with your principal and coordinator as they begin providing public relations. This includes using many of the resources available on the Web site for sharing with parents and your community. This might include the use of: flyers, the Parent and Staff brochures (provided on LINKS website), updated notices on the school Web site, newsletter articles and public service announcements. 13

14. For more information… http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/
Marian Covey
Barbara Ashcraft at
Clarify questions or concerns by using the tools available on the Web site or feel free to contact either Marian Covey or Barbara Ashcraft.
We are available to support you—we appreciate your support in making this program a wonderful success for your students! 14