VDOE's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at Virginia Tech
School Counselors' Network
"School counselors are key agents, both directly and indirectly, in promoting advocacy with and for students with disabilities. Directly, school counselors can support students with disabilities in helping them recognize their strengths and develop self-advocacy skills. These skills can assist students in navigating through systemic barriers and difficult experiences imposed on them due to stigma and/or ignorance about disabilities."
From Advocacy for All: Serving Students with Disabilities By Taqueena Quintana, Ed.D., and Jenna Alvarez, Ph.D. | October 2019
Welcome to YOUR School Counselors' (SCN) Network!!
We want YOU to know that this is YOUR network. This is about what YOU need and that OUR job is to facilitate that in the best, most effective way possible.
Join our ABC ~123 Behavior Change email group . The purpose of ABC~123 is to share three ideas that teachers can use to support students with challenging behavior. These three ideas will be delivered to your email box each week! We hope these ideas help you to more effectively address challenging behaviors. Please join and invite others who may benefit from these weekly helpful strategies. You can email jebaldw3@vt.edu with any suggestions on topics you would like to see more about in the future.
Join the growing Region 6 & 7 Network of support and professional learning for School Counselors in Virginia. Receive weekly updates connected to our SCN website, where we work to keep you aware of important information from the VDOE and as well as the latest resources and leadership opportunities specifically for YOU. As a network, we want you to be able to connect and learn form one another, so please share your ideas for future SCN sessions and let us know what resources you need. Thanks for all you do!
Happening in May
Mental Health Awareness Month (resources below)
Family Wellness Month
May 1st - School Principal's Day
May 5th-11th - Virginia Resilience Week
May 7th - National Foster Care Day
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
May 10th - National School Nurse Day
May 12th - Mother's Day & National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day
May 18th - Global Accessibility Awareness Day
May 24th - World Schizophrenia Awareness Day
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS!!
This Spotlight features wellness resources for educators and families to renew, recharge and nurture their well-being over the summer months and beyond.
Explore Renew and Recharge Summer Resources
"Be Seen in Green" Challenge to show support and fundraise for mental health
NAMI Mental Health Awareness Toolkit - "Take the Moment" Campaign - #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth
Youth MOVE Virginia has created a new & comprehensive resource directory for youth & young adults living in Virginia. This directory includes resources for mental health & wellness, physical health & wellness, coping skills and life skills, and community resources, such as food and housing, that are either developed specifically for youth & young adults or that are meant to include youth & young adults.
Join the VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness (OBHW) this summer at either of our upcoming conferences to learn tools, strategies, and interventions to directly improve school climate and student behavioral health and wellness.
Your Life Your Voice provides ways for pre-teens, teens, and young adults to get help via call, text and email. Their trained counselors are able to offer advice for real life situations and they can be reached 24/7 via phone at (800) 448-3000 or by texting VOICE to 20121. They also provide tips and tools on their website for a number of issues such as coping skills, transitioning to adulthood, anxiety, abuse, identity, depression and more.
The Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders. This includes support groups, educational materials, in-person chapters, and more.