Resources

NATIONAL:

Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-3738

Crisis Hotline: 1-888-279-8188

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 

https://dmh.mo.gov/crisis-assistance

Counseling services offered at Nodaway-Holt R-VII:  

Whole Group Lessons:  Guidance lessons are an integral part of the elementary school counseling program and important to every student’s academic success. One of the most effective ways for school counselors to help prevent academic problems is by discussing self-esteem issues such as peer relationships, stress, or dealing with feelings and emotions in large group guidance lessons in the classroom. The lessons are preventative in nature, designed to reach all students, and are taught in the classroom regularly by the counselor. 

Individual Counseling:  The school counselor is available to meet individually with a student in circumstances when a student's educational success is being impacted. The school counselor spends time working with individual students to improve their social skills, discuss feelings, and to empower problem solving methods. While a counselor cannot provide on-going counseling, it may be appropriate for a student to receive short-term individual counseling. When more attention and intervention is required, school counselors can act as a referral agent for parents to access counseling services within the community.

Small Group Counseling: The purpose of small group counseling is to complement and enhance students' learning by improving their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Small group counseling provides a safe setting where children, along with their peers, can increase their self-awareness and improve their cooperation and communication skills. The children can learn from each other. Ultimately the goal of small group counseling is to prevent problems in the future by teaching children and adolescents new skills. Every child/adolescent can benefit from participation in a small group. Students can be invited to join a group by parent request, teacher or counselor suggestion, or by the students themselves.

Collaborate with Teachers and Staff:  Both teachers and counselors have similar goals: the educational success of each student. It is important that school counselors collaborate with teachers and administrators to promote student learning. If a student is having problems in a classroom, the school counselor will join together with teachers to come up with some practical strategies which will remove educational barriers and enhance the learning environment of that student. 

Consult with Parents:  Parents and the school counselor speak with each other to help the child/student on a variety of issues such as new school transitions, special needs, family transitions, and crisis situations. Studies have shown that children have greater academic achievement when their parents are involved in their education. Parental involvement is critical to helping a child be a successful student. Both parents and counselor can share information with each other to help meet the needs of the student. Additionally, the school counselor can help put parents in touch with community resources, if the need arises.

Community Resources:  The school counselor can provide short-term individual counseling for students, but when more intervention is required, they can coordinate referrals to community agencies. Below is a list of local mental health agencies and other social service providers. If these agencies do not meet your needs, please let me know.  I have a longer, more comprehensive list of outside service providers.