School counselors work to help improve the lives of their students, both in and out of the classroom. The following are some common tasks we do - and more:
Identifying issues affecting school performance
Helping students develop skills needed for academic and personal/social/emotional success
Counseling individuals and small groups
Assessing students’ abilities and interests
Helping students achieve academic or career goals
School counselors also work with teachers, administrators and parents to help students improve their outcomes in high school and plans after high school. They might suggest outside resources for additional support - please contact us if you have additional questions or need additional support during school.
School counselors are not licensed to provide long-term, on-going, clinical therapy to students. We assist families in referrals to outside providers if long-term clinical therapy is needed.
NC SUN meal programs for students - When school is out, North Carolina SUN Programs provide nutritious meals at no cost for youth ages 18 and under. Use the N.C. Site Finder Map at SummerMeals4NCKids.org or call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish). Learn more at https://go.ncdpi.gov/ncsummermeals.
Parents may independently call the Alliance Access staff 24/7 at 1-800-510-9132 for mental health resources and support providers. Students may be covered by private insurance, Medicaid, or they may be uninsured. The Alliance staff will determine the next steps (i.e. need for a diagnostic assessment, determine a diagnosis based on the diagnostic assessment, and provide the appropriate level of service.)
For parents who would like assistance in coordinating mental health services for their child, they may reach out to their child's School Counselor or School Social Worker (at Heritage HS, this is Ms. Corcho, our SAP). Depending on the child's individual, unique circumstance(s), HHS may then complete a referral to the Alliance Bridge to Success Program (School-Based Mental Health Team), which is a partnership between WCPSS and Alliance Behavioral Healthcare. Once received, the referral is assigned to a Clinical Care Coordinator. These licensed professionals assist with the assessment and ultimately link them to appropriate services.
LGBT Center of Raleigh - explore the many Youth & Family Initiative Programs, including groups, book clubs, drop-in opportunities and other resources
Transitions GriefCare - We all experience many different types of losses. Transitions GriefCare services are designed for adults and children (5-17) who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Their professional staff provides short-term counseling, support groups, workshops, and other services designed to compassionately meet the needs of adults, children, and teens seeking to address the unique challenges of grief and create a path toward healing. (Note: WFMS typically offers a grief group for students once a year in partnership with Transitions GriefCare. Please contact your child's counselor for additional information.)
McKinney-Vento: The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Click here to learn more, including: Parent Rights and Student Rights
Click link above or contact Ms. Corcho at ycorcho@wcpss.net for Community Resource information
Click link above to access district wellness resources and information.
Stressed out and feeling anxious? Check out these grounding/calming techniques.
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