Intervention Through Teams:

To identify and design appropriate interventions for at-risk youngsters.

To inform the school about an incident or to make a referral for a program, please contact your student’s guidance counselor.

District Counselors/Psychologists

Every school is staffed with a guidance counselor who provides social and emotional support to the students through formal and informal programs. The counselors provide direct interventions to students in crisis in addition to making referrals to appropriate mental health professionals. Parkland School District also employs school psychologists who contribute additional professional expertise to crisis management and mental health interventions. The school psychologists work closely with various support teams in the school and community to assure that recommendations are appropriate and comprehensive.

Student Assistance Teams

The Student Assistance Teams, referred to as Student Support Teams (SST) in Parkland, grades 6-12, are mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. They are involved in identifying students who are experiencing barriers to learning and who are at risk due to becoming involved with alcohol or other drugs. Students who are experiencing significant mental health problems are also identified in cooperation with the school counselors. Referrals are made to appropriate community-based agencies for evaluation and treatment. Parents, students and teachers may make a referral to the SST program by contacting their school counselor or one of the SST members.

Instructional Support Teams

Elementary support team members are trained to identify and refer students who may be directly or indirectly experiencing the effects of alcohol or other drugs. School counselors are core members of these teams and work directly with students, parents, and community-based agency staff coordinating referral and supportive efforts. Instructional Support Teams serve all elementary schools.

Student Support Teams (Summer Follow-up)

Through the support of the Safe and Drug Free School and Community Advisory Council, the Parkland SST program has continued to follow referred students through the summer. The individual and small group contact during the summer has proven very valuable for student whose needs continue and sometimes increase when school is not in session.

Supplemental Psychological Services

The Safe and Drug Free School and Community Advisory Council has also earmarked funds for additional time from a school psychologist who is specifically trained to lead groups and consult with the Student Support Teams and school counselors. The psychologist leads and co-leads groups, sees individual students, and works with parents, teachers, and community-based professionals.

D.E.A.L. (Disciplinary Educational Alternative Learning) Program

The alternative disciplinary program afforded to middle and high school students provides counseling services designed to address drug and alcohol issues, which are impacting on their behavior in school. Activity-based learning, in conjunction with group counseling, assists the student in making smart choices about substance use and its impact.

Parkland School District Safe and Drug Free School and Community Advisory Council

The council identifies, approves and monitors substance abuse prevention and intervention programs and activities funded by the federal government through the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994. The council includes representatives from the community, school district, clergy, law enforcement, medical profession and business, in addition to parents and students.

Other Outside Agencies

The guidance counselor and school psychologist make appropriate referrals when the needs arise. Outside agencies are utilized on an on-going basis to provide a full continuum of support. These agencies could include the police department, Children and Youth, Mental Health/ Mental Retardation, area hospitals, etc.