Overview, Mission and Goals of the School Psychologists & Mental Health Specialists: 

Alief ISD Assessment Staff employs School Psychologists (Licensed Specialist in School Psychology - LSSP) and Mental Health Specialists (MHS). We also have positions for SSP Interns and Practicum Students.  The School Psychologists (LSSP) are licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP). The Mental Health Specialists are Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Mental Health Specialist was a position created out of need in Alief ISD. By providing the counseling as a related service to our students in special education, the MHS position has helped to mitigate staff shortage for providing that service. School Psychologists in Alief primarily functioned in an assessment role and provided counseling as a related service for students. The department, however, is working toward incorporating a comprehensive service delivery model which has been a systematic progression. Soon the department hopes to improve its role in the development, implementation, and training in the following areas:

• In-service training in areas related to the psychological needs of students for staff.

• Collaboration on crisis intervention procedures with General Education Counseling Department

• Consultation with programs such as ESCE (early childhood), Pre-Kindergarten, Life Skills, Autism and DC structured classes.

• Parent education/training workshops for topics related to how emotions and learning intertwine, Autism, ADHD, Emotional Disturbance, human trafficking etc.

• Consultation with outside agencies.