School-based Services seek to go beyond traditional therapy services in order to recognize the special needs of students and families in the school environment. This makes many resources easily accessible to students and families. Therapists act as liaisons between children, families, schools and community services to help students stay complete their education and achieve success.

 

School-based mental health consultation and counseling service provides on-site assessment, counseling, and consultation to school staff and parents regarding students that display mental and/or emotional symptoms.  Issues such as depression, alcohol/drug use, self-harm, anger management, school performance, peer relations and many, many others are dealt with in a community-based, 'team' fashion that surrounds the student with positive supports and assists.  School-based services views the school as both a place of academic learning as well as a host site for the delivery of student-focused mental health care.

 

Para-professionals serve as a liaison between the school, the home, and the community in behalf of students with a variety of needs.  Their role is to link students and their families with community resources geared to support them and to overcome limitations and barriers such as housing needs, food, clothing, school supplies, etc.  As with the Mental Health Consultant, FICs work in a 'team' fashion along with other school and agency personnel in behalf of the students they serve.