In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter September 2023 Hello, my name is Alexa Lewis! I graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Social Work and completed my internship at Harnett County Schools. I am now a school social worker with HCS. A little bit about me, I have two german shepherds and an orange tabby! My name is Danyell Bjorklund and I am the new Administrative Assistant for Student Support Services. I am originally from San Diego, CA and I relocated here in 2018 after getting married. We're a blended family & together share 5 adult children. I own/ operate two businesses and am moving toward becoming a notary instructor for the Secretary of State at a local community college. I love to travel, shop (fashion), craft, eat tacos, & spend time with my family/friends. BREAKING NEWS: Meet Our New Team members! Meet our new team members School News Mental Health Spotlight - Suicide Health Services - Childhood Obesity SEL News Family Engagement Spotlight Military Academies Fair In this Issue Page 1 Benjamin Bursey - School Counselor, LaFayette Elementary School Carol Duranceau - School Counselor, Northwest Harnett Elementary School Justina Wiser - Registrar, Triton High School Sammy Soza - School Counselor, Overhills High School Vanessa Stakeley - School Counselor, Overhills High School Victoria Edwards - Registrar, Dunn Middle School Mental Health Support Team Event BCES Trauma Training (in person) Tuesday, Sept 26th 3:30-4:30, Buies Creek Elementary School
School News In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Page 2
SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND RESPONSE PROTOCOL Please see the steps below which outline the required steps as listed in the Harnett County Schools Suicide Intervention & Response Handbook. For additional information, please contact the Mental Health Support Team: Jessalyn Pedone, [email protected] Erica Hoskins, [email protected] If you have a student that has expressed suicidality (or a staff member/parent has shared concerns) the first step is for the School Counselor and/or School Social Worker to meet with the student and complete the ASQ with the student. Mobile Crisis - 24/7 crisis response (877) 626-1772) Parent can transport student to the local ER Parent can take student to their PCP Parent can take student to Daymark for walk in assessment (before 3pm) Call 9-1-1 for immediate emergency transport (if severe suicidality is present) Crisis Referral Options: POSITIVE SCREEN NEGATIVE SCREEN The ASQ is a negative screen if the student answers "no" to question #5 The ASQ is a positive screen if the student answers "yes" to question #5 or refuse to answer **If a student indicates that parental abuse or neglect is the reason for contemplating suicide, contact CPS and ask for their guidance about next steps. Complete the safety plan with the student to determine the level of concern and to ensure safety until next steps are completed. Once complete, contact the parent immediately to discuss next steps and discuss referral options and ask parents how they would like to proceed and complete the Parent Contact by School Personnel/Notification of Suicidal Thoughts or Feelings" form. Once parent arrives to the school, have the parent complete the Parent Acknowledgement of 1. 2. 3. Notification of Suicidal Thoughts or Feelings (keep original and give copy to the parent) form and provide a copy of the ASQ. COMPLETE ASQ ASQ SAFETY PLANS LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES Within 24 hours, complete the Suicide Assessment Reporting Form Conduct a check-in or follow-up meeting with student, parent/legal guardian, and school personnel within 24-48 hours upon the student’s return to school. A SUICIDAL STUDENT SHOULD BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES! Suicide Protocol Shared Drive link here STEP 2: STEP 1: Create a safety plan with the student Contact the parent to share concerns about student's mental health and offer mental health resources If the screen is negative, but the student answers "yes" to at least one question (for questions #1-4): 1. 2. **If the family lacks resources for mental health therapy services, consider a referral to the Mental Health Support Team for services. Mental Health Spotlight Submitted by: Jessalyn Pedone, Mental Health Support Specialist In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Suicide is a very real and prevalent issue facing society today and the rates of suicide attempts and those who have completed suicide are even higher post pandemic. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. • In 2021, 48,183 Americans died by suicide • In 2021, there were an estimated 1.70M suicide attempts • The age-adjusted suicide rate in 2021 was 14.04 per 100,000 individuals Keep in mind, these are just the suicide attempts that people share about. There could be thousands more. Some ways you can help are… Be alert - Watch for signs in your friends, family and those around you. Some warning signs can include: • Talking about or making plans for suicide • Expressing hopelessness about the future • Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress • Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, particularly in the presence of the warning signs above. Specifically, this includes significant: ◦ Withdrawal from or changing in social connections/situations ◦ Changes in sleep (increased or decreased) ◦ Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context ◦ Recent increased agitation or irritability ◦ Use of (or increased use of) alcohol or drugs Be available - • Listen and express concern in a non-judgmental way • Ask questions openly (like: “Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?) • Show you care; stay calm and remove all potential methods for suicide or injury; some examples include guns, scissors, pills, ropes, and knives • Take all threats seriously and get them help with a professional ASAP! • Stay with them and do not leave them alone • Never keep suicide plans a secret and get them help immediately Be Proactive & Ready - • Make sure you know the resources that are available locally and nationally because you never know when you may need them. • Local Resources: ◦ Therapeutic Alternatives - Mobile Crisis - 24/7 Crisis Intervention (877) 626-1772 ◦ 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency room • National Resources: ◦ 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides 24/7 no-cost and confidential support for individuals in distress, including prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Simply call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org • National Suicide Prevention - 1-800-273-TALK • Hopeline - 919-231-4525 or 877-235-4525 • Crisis Text Line - Text “Hello” to 741-741 • Web Resources: • https://afsp.org/learn-the-facts • https://youth.gov/feature-article/preventing-suicide-toolkit-high-schools • https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac/resources/suicide-prevention Throughout this month, we want to encourage you to spread awareness about suicide in order to help us be one step closer to suicide prevention since one action can help save a life. In honor of Suicide Prevention Week, we encourage you to have conversations with your school personnel about ways to spread awareness about such an impactful topic. Some examples of ways to spread awareness can include school-wide participation in wearing teal and/or purple (suicide prevention colors), posting flyers and/or informational posters, etc. If you have specific questions or would like ideas of ways to spread awareness please reach out to your Mental Health Support Specialists: Jessalyn Pedone - [email protected] *Serves all Triton and HCHS feeder schools as well as the Early College Erica Hoskins - [email protected] *Serves all OHS and WHHS feeder schools Page 3
Mental Health Support Team Referral Process 2023-2024 The process to refer a student for mental health services: **Please keep in mind that the student must have a barrier to receiving outside services present *If you need forms in another language (other than English and Spanish) please contact the MHST directly 1. School Counselor and/or Social Worker will contact the family to review the information and get consent forms signed by parent/legal guardian (and ask parent/guardian to return the forms to the Counselor/Social Worker *Please ensure that the person signing has legal rights ***Please note that a parent's signature on this form does not guarantee the student admittance into our program; there is an approval process (as outlined below) ● English Parental Consent Form ● Spanish Parental Consent Form c. If a release of information is needed (for a step-parent who has no legal rights, a previous therapist, etc.) please use the following forms: ● English Release of Information ● Spanish Release of Information 2. Once the consent form is received (signed by legal guardian), the School Social Worker or School Counselor will fill out a student referral form (from their Harnett County email account) and inform school administrator that referral has been made ● Student Referral Form 3. MHST staff member will reach out to referring staff member to discuss the student referral form with staff member and provide feedback or request additional information within 2 business days if additional information is needed. 4. The case will be staffed among the MHST team for appropriateness of services at multidisciplinary team meeting. If student is approved for services, MHST staff member will contact referring staff member to arrange services (please ensure that you have a confidential space for the student to use for sessions whether they are virtual or in person sessions) If a student is referred and is not approved for services through the team, other referrals will be provided to the referring staff member for the referring staff member to provide to the parent/legal guardian **Reminders: ● A student must have a barrier to receiving outside services present as listed below and a ● Lack of engagement by client or parent may result in termination Barriers Include: ● Lack of insurance ● Significant lack of transportation (for example: a student whose family struggles to even get to the grocery store to get groceries) ● Student is identified as McKinney Vento status *note: remote services are available for most insurance plans. Medicaid usually covers the transportation for the family to appointments. Immigration status (student or parent) Reasons a student may not be accepted: ● Beyond scope of practice/service (Ie. severity, eating disorders, significant cognitive delays) ● Family services is a priority ● Significant legal or safety concerns (students or parents) ● Behavioral needs a priority (use of Behavior Intervention Team) ● Lack of presence at school (services are not able to be provided) ● Lack of barriers present Page 4 Mental Health Spotlight Submitted by: Jessalyn Pedone, Mental Health Support Specialist In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023
CDC’S WORK IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY THE PROBLEM 13 MILLION 19% of US children aged 2 to 19 (13 million) have obesity. Children with obesity are more likely to have serious diseases during childhood, such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Obesity a!ects some children more than others. Rate of obesity among children aged 2 to 19: By Race/Ethnicity By Household Income *FPL is Federal Poverty level CONSEQUENCES CAN LAST A LIFETIME Children with obesity are more likely to have obesity as adults. Adults with obesity have higher risk for developing: Heart disease Type 2 diabetes Some types of cancer Obesity costs the US healthcare system $147 billion a year. HOW HEALTHCARE CAN HELP Healthcare providers and health systems can address unhealthy weight gain before it causes serious health problems. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that children and adolescents aged 6 years and older be screened for obesity, and those with obesity be o!ered or referred to high-quality weight management programs. Health Services Submitted by: Holly Price, Mental Health Support Specialist In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Page 5
WHAT CDC IS DOING TO HELP CDC works across the health system to put the USPSTF recommendation into practice, especially for those children most in need. Healthcare Providers Insurance Plans Delivery Systems community center Community Resources WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE Information Technologies We adapt programs to work for low-income communities, by funding and supporting Childhood Obesity Research Demonstrations (CORD), projects that test how programs work in the real world. We help ensure that data from health IT systems are used to: 1) improve patient care and 2) guide public health practice to help children with obesity. We improve the tools doctors use to track healthy growth, making it easier to intervene early. We support healthcare and public health partners to share the USPSTF recommendation in clinical and community settings. CORD 1.0 funded communities in Texas, Massachusetts, and California to use a whole-community approach to address childhood obesity. Several sites saw reductions in children’s BMI. In Massachusetts, BMI decreased in children in the health center that fully implemented a high quality weight management program. CORD 2.0 funds communities in Massachusetts and Arizona to focus on clinical and weight management program interventions to improve nutrition and physical activity behaviors of low-income children struggling with overweight and obesity. The National Association of Community Health Centers project funds Federally Qualified Health Centers in Arizona, Mississippi, Illinois, and Florida to increase implementation of high quality weight management programs. Jan 2019 FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao 301807-A Health Services In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Page 6 Submitted by: Holly Price, Mental Health Support Specialist
SEL News Page 7 Submitted by: Natalie McCurley, Student Support Services Coordinator In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Welcome back everyone! I hope you’re off to a wonderful start to the school year. This year the behavior support team is excited to offer support in all tiers of the MTSS behavioral process. In tiers 1 and 2, our team is available to discuss concerns, help formulate school based plans and interventions, establish monitoring systems, and make data based decisions. Referrals can be made by school social workers, school counselors, and administration for Tier 3 behavior support. We will discuss this process during our first PLC. We’re always available to help increase Tier 1 core support by providing professional development by request as well as support schools in their work. Our county’s updated district goals include important action steps that embed social and emotional learning into the daily instruction for students. Our platform, Character Strong, allows for PK-12 SEB (Social, Emotional, & Behavioral) instruction for all students as a Tier 1 support. During PLC’s we will discuss how this tool can benefit students in reaching their goals as well as their overall development. Please feel free to reach out if we can support you in sharing how social and emotional learning can benefit your students and staff by introducing or refreshing staff about its benefits. I look forward to working alongside you this year to support your students. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or support you may need.
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Family Engagement Spotlight On Friday, Sept 22nd, STAR Academy had it’s first Family Engagement Event of the year! In honor of Grandparents day we invited in Grandparents, Parents, and other family members to join us from 11 am-1 pm. Together our staff, family members, and students joined us in a circle about appreciation and then we all enjoyed the tasty snacks and refreshments provided by our staff for the celebration. We had a small, but good turn out. We are already looking forward to our next event! Submitted by: Katie Cooney-Schofield, Registrar Page 8
Date and Time: Monday, October 23, 2023, 6pm-8pm Location: Family Readiness Group Center, BLDG 236, Interceptor St., Fort Liberty (Pope Army Airfield), NC 28308 Interested in attending a US Service Academy, Senior or Junior Military College, or ROTC? Learn more about applying for and preparing to attend these colleges or programs. MEET REPRESENTATIVES FROM US SERVICE ACADEMIES SENIOR MILITARY COLLEGES JUNIOR MILITARY COLLEGES CADET COMMANDS (ROTC) CONFIRMED SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES: US Military Academy (West Point), US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Norwich University Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, University of North Georgia, Georgia Military College (Junior Military College), Valley Forge Military Institute, US Army Cadet Command (ROTC), Air Force ROTC, Navy ROTC Free and Open to the Public (You do not have to be at Fort Liberty or Military connected to attend.) More information: 910-432-1023, [email protected] Target Audience: High School Students and their Families Fort Liberty School Support Services - A Driving Force for Student Success Soldier Support Center, 1st Floor 1-C-100 OR 4th Floor, Room 439 OR Parent Central Services, BLDG 1-4157, Knox St. 910-908-2619 | 910-432-1023 | 910-396-3338 | https://liberty.armymwr.com Community Information Submitted by: Amy Crockett, Student Support Services Coordinator In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Sept 2023 Page 9