Counseling and Psychlogical Services • thrive • Rhode Island's Coordinated School Health Program


	Why should I care about Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? What are Rhode Island's state requirements for Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? What are the goals of Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? What data are available about Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? I’m a parent... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? I’m a teacher... What resources are available on Counseling and Psychological Services? I’m a school administrator... What tools for schools are available on Counseling and Psychological Services? Whom do I contact for more information? Why should I care about Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? Counseling and Psychological Services are services provided to improve students' mental, emotional, and social health. These services include individual and group assessments, interventions, and referrals. Organizational assessment and consultation skills of counselors and psychologists contribute not only to the health of students but also to the health of the school environment. Professionals including certified school counselors, psychologists, and social workers provide these services. Providing counseling and psychological services in schools ensures that all students will have access to mental health and social service in order to develop the necessary skills for success. Research shows that school-based social services programs targeting students at risk for dropping out of school produce the following results: Increased grade point average across all classes taken Increased school bonding Improved self-esteem (Eggert, Thompson, Herting, Nicholas, and Dicker, 1994) Additionally, participating in a social service intervention aimed at promoting student success by improving parent-child and parent-teacher communication resulted in improved academic performance (Bowen, 1999). back to questions What are Rhode Island's state requirements for Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? Personalized Learning Environments Section 6.1 of the Regulations of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education Regarding Public High Schools include requirements for personalized learning environments in schools and an advisory structure to give students a chance to develop a meaningful relationship with a caring adult. Guidance can be found from the RI Department of Education's Office of Middle and High School Reform. School Safety/Crisis Planning According to RIGL §16-21-23, §16-21-24, and §16-21-25, a school crisis response teem shall be comprised of those selected school personnel willing to serve as members of a psychological response team to address the psychological and emotional needs of the school community. School safety plans shall include and address policies and procedures for the dissemination of informative materials regarding the early detection of potentially violent behaviors, including but not limited to, the identification of family, community, and environmental factors, to teachers, administrators, school personnel, persons in parental relation to students of the city, town, or region students and other persons deemed appropriate to receive that information; and strategies for improving communication among students and between students and staff and reporting of potentially violent incidents, such as the establishment of youth-run programs, peer mediation, conflict resolution, creating a forum or designating a mentor for students concerned with bullying or violence, and establishing anonymous reporting mechanisms for school violence. Substance Abuse / Student Assistance Services RIGL Chapter 16-21.3 establishes a statewide system of Student Assistance Services for junior high/middle schools. The RI Substance Abuse Prevention Act (RIGL Chapter 16-21.2) establishes 35 Substance Abuse Task Forces to promote a substance abuse prevention program in all of the state’s 39 cities and towns, through partnerships between municipal governments, school systems and human services organizations. Also, according to RIGL §16-21-16, teachers are protected from civil liability if they report students they suspect of being under the influence of drugs or of drug addiction to appropriate school officials. Certification Certification of various types of mental health service providers in schools is governed by the following: Rhode Island Requirements for the School Counselor's Certificate; Rhode Island Requirements for the Supervisor of School Counselors Certificate; Rhode Island Requirements for the School Psychologist Certficate; and Rhode Island Requirements for the School Social Worker Certificate. back to questions What are the goals of Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? Students and their families will have access to mental health and social services at or near schools. Schools will utilize a multidisciplinary approach in the assessment, treatment, and coordination of services, as appropriate. Students and their families will receive mental health and social services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. back to questions What data are available about Counseling and Psychological Services in Rhode Island schools? Quick Facts According to the 2005-06 School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) Student Survey: 55% of middle school students who received free/reduced price school lunch and 41% of those not eligible for free/reduced price school lunch met with a guidance counselor or social worker at school at least once during the 2006-07 school year. 72% of middle school students who received free/reduced price school lunch and 74% of those not eligible for free/reduced price school lunch met with a guidance counselor or social worker at school at least once during the 2006-07 school year. About half (49%) of those students found those services somewhat or very helpful. 12% of middle school students report that not getting along with teachers is a moderate to very big hassle. 16% of middle school students report that they feel that they can talk to a teacher or other staff about personal or family problems most of the time or always. 15% of high school students report that not getting along with teachers is a moderate to very big hassle. 16% of high school students report that they feel that they can talk to a teacher or other staff about personal or family problems most of the time or always. 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data show that, among public high school students: 28.4% of were in a physical fight in the previous year. 12.4% carried a weapon in the previous month. 8.7 % were threatened or injured with a weapon one or more times in the previous year, with males almost twice as likely as females to be threatened or injured. 42.7% drank alcohol on at least one day in the previous month. 42.6% used marijuana one or more times in their life. 9.7% were hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the previous year. 25.7% felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped dong some usual activities in the previous year. Females were twice as likely as males to say they felt this way. 8.4% attempted suicide in the previous year, with females almost twice as males to attempt it. 5.5% did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or going to and from school in the previous month. More Data The SALT Student Survey includes questions on school counseling and social work services, daily and transitional stresses faced by students, adjustment and self-esteem, and future plans. The RI Youth Risk Behavior Survey has statewide data about safety, weapon-carrying, violence, depression, and attempted suicide. The "Violence Related Behaviors" topical report and "Personal Safety, Depression, and Attempted Suicide" topical report have select data and trends from the YRBS. The “Injury" brief for schools and "2005 Update: Injury" have information and suggestions on how schools can use YRBS and other data to help prevent unintended injuries, attempted suicide and violence in schools. The 2006 School Health Profiles summary provides basic statewide data about policies and practices related to violence prevention in middle and high schools. More detailed information is available from the principal survey and from the teacher survey. The CDC's School Health Policies and Programs Study website has fact sheets related to crisis preparedness and response, alcohol & drug use prevention, suicide prevention, and violence prevention, as well as summaries of state-level policies related to healthy and safe school environments and to mental health and social services. back to questions I’m a parent... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Counseling and Psychological Services in schools? American Psychiatric Association This website provides information on advocacy efforts, news, publications, fact sheets, and more. American Psychological Association This website provides public information, publications, updates, and mental health resources. Mental Health Advancement Resource Center This website provides information and resources on mental health promotion and illness prevention. National Association of School Psychologist This is a professional organization where you can find information, resources, and more. US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration It works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services. Center for Social and Emotional Education This center is devoted to educating school and parent leaders to make social, emotional, and academic learning an integral part of children’s pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education. Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character This center at Boston University School of Education helps teachers, administrators, and parents build good character in today's students. The Character Education Partnership This website includes a database of character education organizations and resources, a newsletter, and a calendar of upcoming events around the country. Center for the Fourth and Fifth Rs This site includes articles that describe character education and its history, information on conferences, and examples of schools committed to character education. Family Education: Parents Dedicated to Children's Learning This site offers a rich variety of activities, articles covering hot topics for families, school help, parenting challenges, and a message board for parents wanting to communicate with other parents. back to questions I’m a teacher... What resources are available on Counseling and Psychological Services? Improving Academic Achievement through Social and Emotional Learning: The Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids! Guide to Profiles and Practices of Rhode Island Educators This guide was developed to showcase how some educators have used social and emotional learning to improve the school climate and to boost academic achievement. UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools This center provides information, training, and technical assistance about mental health issues in schools. The Character Building Site This website features short stories and biographical sketches aimed at building the moral imagination. Collaborative for the Advancement of Social and Emotional Learning This website provides information and resources for developing school-based social and emotional learning programs Center for the Fourth and Fifth Rs This website includes articles that describe character education and its history, information on conferences, and examples of schools committed to character education. Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character This center at Boston University School of Education helps teachers, administrators, and parents build good character in today's students. Facing History and Ourselves This website helps teachers through professional development, support, and classroom resources that encourage reflection and dialogue about tolerance and justice. Educators for Social Responsibility This website helps educators create safe, caring, respectful, and productive learning environments. It is a source of curriculum materials and teacher training programs that focus on issues of peacemaking and conflict resolution. Developmental Studies Center This center is dedicated to researching and developing school-based programs that foster children's intellectual, ethical, and social development. George Lucas Educational Foundation This founcation profiles how teachers and students around the country are enacting many inspiring stories and transforming their schools. It provides multimedia presentations of success stories in our nation's schools that include slide shows, audio excerpts, and features. Teaching Tolerance This website provides educators with free educational materials that promote respect for differences and appreciation of diversity in the classroom and beyond. The Giraffe Project This project is a k-12 curriculum that "teaches kids about real heroes and gets them going on lives of courage, caring, and responsibility." The Responsive Classroom This is a practical approach to creating safe, challenging and joyful elementary schools. back to questions I’m a school administrator... What tools for schools are available on Counseling and Psychological Services? Improving Academic Achievement through Social and Emotional Learning: The Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids! Guide to Profiles and Practices of Rhode Island Educators This guide was developed to showcase how some educators have used social and emotional learning to improve the school climate and to boost academic achievement. Higher Education Faculty Resource Guide: Improving Academic Achievement Through the Pre-Service Training of Teachers and Mental Health Professionals in Rhode Island The purpose of this resource guide is to promote the preservice training of educators and school mental health professionals in the theory and practice of character education and social and emotional learning. UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools This center provides information, training, and technical assistance about mental health issues in schools. Samaritans of Rhode Island A non-religious, non-profit organization, The Samaritans is devoted to helping those who are hopeless, alone or suicidal through our volunteer-run programs. The Samaritans provides suicide prevention education to teachers, counselors, parents and young people. back to questions Whom do I contact for additional information? Midge Sabatini, Ed.D. Manager, Coordinated School Health Program Rhode Island Department of Education 401-222-8952 Midge.Sabatini@ride.ri.gov Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Ed.D. Program Manager, Initiative for Healthy Youth Rhode Island Department of Health 401-222-5922 Rosemary.Reilly-Chammat@health.ri.gov back to questions