School Counseling Programs: Making a Difference for Students and Schools

School Counseling Programs: Making a Difference for Students and Schools Dr. Rebecca A. Schumacher Executive director Beth Jenkins, M.Ed. Governing Board Past Chair Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Introductions Getting to know you • & Getting to know us Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Intro • Greta • Roost Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Discussion • “Guidance” Counseling vs “School” Counseling • How school counseling can increase academic achievement and positive peer relationships • Including who are school counselors and what does a school counseling program look like? • Working with school counselors to support your students and school Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018 Florida PTA Leadership Convention July 14, 2018

Who are School CounselorsProfessionals with at least a Master’s Degree • Deliver research-based, preventative curriculum to all students to develop academic, social-emotional and life skills. • Curriculum & Instruction based on standards and developing competencies in students (just as all subject instructors) • Instruction delivered through classroom lessons, small group counseling, and to those most vulnerable - individual counseling. Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Who are School CounselorsProfessionals with at least a Master’s Degree • Frontline intervention specialists in schools. • Trained to recognize students’ mental health needs, and work collaboratively with school staff and mental health agencies in our communities to address student needs before escalation to a crisis. Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

“Guidance” The evolution of Guidance to school Counselor? Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

The Progression to “School” Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Drop the “G” word #schoolcounseloradvocacy #notguidanceanymore #ASCA #FSCA Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Test taking strategies • Organizational Skills • Effective study habits • Time Management skills needed for educational achievement Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Social – Emotional Development Skills: • to interact with others • to respect individual & group differences • for problem solving • for personal safety, and self-advocacy • to self-regulate and cope with issues Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Examples: • career exploration & planning skills • goal setting • how to research information for postsecondary education/training Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

What is the work of a school counselor? • Student / systems focused • Preventive • Programmatic • Data Driven • Comprehensive • Strengths based Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

www.FLDOE.org Page 22 Florida’s System of Supports for School-Based Mental Health Services TIER 3 Individualized Intensive Decision-rules & referral-follow-up procedures Data and strategy sharing between school and agency staff Individualized counseling/ intervention, behavior support plans Intensive progress monitoring Wrap around & crisis planning Intensified family partnership and communication TIER 2Supplemental/At-Risk Decision rules for early identification and access Evidence-based group social, emotional, and behavioral interventions based on need Monitoring of intervention fidelity and student progress FOUNDATION a.Integrated Leadership Teams – expand teams and roles b. Effective data systems c. Strong Universal implementation d. Continuum of supports e. Youth-Family-School-Community Collaboration at All Levels –culturally responsive f. Evidence-base practices at all levels g. Data-based continuous improvement h. Staff Mental Health Attitudes, Competencies, and Wellness i. Professional development and implementation support j. Policy changes that protect confidentiality but promote mental health collaboration and flexibility TIER 1 Universal Prevention Universal screening and progress monitoring Needs assessment and resource mapping Reduced Risk Factors - Create orderly and nurturing classrooms and public space, fair and positive discipline, curtailed bullying Increased Protective Factors - Social-emotional skills instruction, positive/secure relationships, predictable environment Restorative and Trauma Informed Practices Data-based problem solving leadership teams - Including youth serving agency, youth and family School-wide mental wellness initiatives to increase awareness and reduce stigma Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, Wellness Fairs, Behavioral Health Campaigns Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

How are Students Different because of the Work of School counselors? Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

References: Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Working with school counselors to support students • advocate for legislation in support of students, families and the profession of school counseling • collaborate with school staff, community agencies, state level partnerships with FASP, FASSW, FCAN and others • support the whole child through the implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs teaching skills in academic, social/emotional health, and career and college readiness • “Every child deserves a champion…”-R.P. FLORIDA SCHOOL COUNSELORS Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

fsca@fla-schoolcounselor.orgfla-schoolcounselor.orghttps://www.schoolcounselor.org/administrators/role-of-the-school-counselorfsca@fla-schoolcounselor.orgfla-schoolcounselor.orghttps://www.schoolcounselor.org/administrators/role-of-the-school-counselor Florida Charter School Conference October 18, 2018

School Counseling Programs: Making a Difference for Students and Schools