The RISE program is designed to address your child’s social, emotional and mental wellbeing through free and confidential counseling services within the Middlesex Public School District. The focus is to help enhance the opportunities for student learning and to instill hope in them for the future. The primary objective of the program is to help ensure that children and adolescents will obtain needed assistance in an accessible location. RISE offers a range of services including, individual or group counseling as well as linkages to community resources. Parent workshops will also be presented during the year on various topics related to children and adolescents. 

The clinician in the RISE program, Erica Jungels, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with extensive experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings. Her goal is to support and empower students to reach their greatest potential and improve their overall emotional wellbeing.

Referrals will be accepted from the student’s school counselor, CST case manager or school administrator. Teachers, school nurses and other staff members can also inform the student’s counselor with concerns. Referrals may also be accepted directly from students and/or parents/guardians. Once a referral is made, a staff member will meet with the student to discuss the referral and obtain informed parent/guardian consent for services. The child’s school counselor will also be advised if the referral was not initiated by them. 

For additional information or questions, please reach out to your child’s counselor.

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be: