STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Ms. Cathleen Moran-Kudisch, Student Assistance Counselor
 
 
The Student Assistance Counselor Program was developed to enhance and support students’ success in the school environment. We offer a range of school-based prevention and intervention services to assist students with personal problems and encourage them to build upon their strengths.
 
Our goals are to support and empower students to build upon their existing developmental assets. This includes developing positive and healthy boundaries and expectations of themselves and others, fostering a commitment to learning, developing positive values which guide choices, and building social competencies to encourage positive identity development.
 

SERVICES
 
The Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) provides in-school assessment, crisis intervention, counseling and referral services to any student who may be experiencing personal, family, and/or peer difficulties. The goal is to support the students and prevent personal difficulties from interfering with their success in school.

 

Concerns that students may seek assistance for may include:
Depression Crisis Management
Abuse/Neglect Eating Disorders
Self-Harming Anxiety
Substance Abuse Grief/Loss
Social Skills Family Changes
Self-Esteem Divorce
Anger  
 
In addition to individual services, groups may be periodically offered depending on need in such areas as:
 
Changing Families Divorce Anger Management
Body Image Personal Growth Substance Awareness & Prevention
Bullying
 
The SAC works closely with administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, the school nurse,  other school personnel and parents to identify and assess areas of need.
 
 

METHODS OF REFERRAL
 
Students may be referred by school administration, school counselors, nurse or any other school staff that have identified an area of concern.
 
Parents who have concerns about any non-academic issues may contact the Student Assistance Counselor directly.  The SAC will be happy to speak with you and assist in determining the best course of action for your child.
 

Students can confidentially refer other students who may be in need of support.
 

Students may self-refer and come in to see the counselor at any time during the school day.
 

The Student Assistance Counselor also responds to any school or district-wide crisis as needed
 
 

CONFIDENTIALITY
All counseling services are confidential. When students at the intermediate and high school levels seek help on their own we encourage them to share this with their families. We do not however, automatically contact parents unless our assessment indicates a safety risk. This would include a student who is in danger of harming him or herself, harming someone else, or is being harmed by another individual.