Berlin Elementary School Counseling Services

Mission Statement The Elementary School Counseling Program supports the educational process through classroom lessons, helping students struggling with academic, emotional or behavioral issues and helps strengthen families struggling with difficulties at school or at home.

Goal The Elementary School Counseling Program aims to be the “helping hand” for students, parents, teachers, staff and community members.

Background My name is Keith Hay and I am a 1984 graduate Berlin Brothersvalley School District. I currently work as the Elementary School Counselor here at Berlin Brothersvalley Elementary School. I work to serve the students in grades Kindergarten through Fourth Grade as well as assist the teachers and administration in the educational process. Prior to working at Berlin, I worked in the the mental health field for nearly 10 years. I have conducted individual, group and family therapy in a Child Psychiatric Hospital with children aged 4-17 as well as working as a teacher and therapist in a partial hospitalization program for children aged Additionally I have worked as a Masters Level Family Based Therapist in Indiana County with families in crisis. Since becoming the counselor at Berlin over 10 years ago, I have worked to educate the students of Berlin about issues of safety, character development, and career awareness. I am very proud of our school and the education the students receive at Berlin. We have exceptional teachers who love and care for the students as if they were their own. Sometimes, children come to school with problems or concerns from home or they are struggling with academic, social, emotional or behavioral issues that are interfering with their school performance. Here at Berlin, we have several programs in place to help meet these needs. My role is often that of the “helping person”. I help determine the seriousness of student issues and then help parents access services to address the difficulties.

WHAT IS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE PROGRAM? The elementary school counseling and guidance program is an integral part of the total school program and complements learning in the classroom. It is child-centered, preventive, and developmental. The program encourages students' social, emotional, and personal growth at each stage of their development. The purpose of counseling with students, parents, and teachers is to help students maximize their potential. The counselor observes children; consults with teachers, psychologists, and social workers; gathers and provides resources; collaborates on classroom intervention; conducts joint parent conferences; reviews and interprets school records; and serves on committees that plan for the individual needs of specific children. The elementary school counselor is a vital resource for the school staff. He or she coordinates and helps implement the staff's efforts to meet the needs of students individually, in small groups of students, and in entire classrooms. The elementary school counselor also conducts guidance lessons; consults with parents, and coordinates student services in the school. This counseling and guidance program provides elementary students with assistance in: –Understanding self and developing a positive self-image. –Showing respect for the feelings of others. –Understanding the decision-making process. –Maintaining effective relationships with peers and adults. –Developing effective study skills. –Being prepared to make the transition to the intermediate school. –Gaining an understanding of the world of work.

HOW DOES THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WORK? Counseling is conducted with students and parents individually and in small groups when requested and determined appropriate. It is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parental permission is obtained prior to any extended individual or group counseling. Students are seen by the counselor when: –Parents request and indicate a need and desire that the counselor meet with their children. –Students request counseling. –Teachers, administrators, or other school staff refer the student. –Parents are informed of counseling groups for children and adults. Groups counseling sessions for children focus on building self-esteem, learning how to make or keep friends, developing good study habits, improving communication skills, preparing for the intermediate school, and coping with changing family situations. Topics for parent groups include child-rearing concerns, child development, and methods parents may use to help children experience healthy development and success in school.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS? The elementary school counselor works directly with students in individual and group counseling sessions as well as in classroom guidance lessons so students may: –Be successful in school. –Establish effective study skills. –Adjust to a new school. –Develop positive feelings about work, family, and society. –Build positive feelings towards self and others. –Develop skills in interacting and communicating with others. –Cope with change in themselves and their surroundings. –Identify and accept their own and others' strengths and weaknesses. –Recognize the causes and effects of their actions. –Become responsible for their own behavior. –Receive crisis intervention when necessary. –The guidance counselor helps students become motivated learners and encourages them to discuss concerns with their parents. When students work through their social and emotional issues, with the help of their parents and the counselor, they are able to devote attention and energy to the intellectual tasks at school.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR PARENTS? The elementary school guidance counselor works with parents through individual consultation, joint consultation with the children's teachers, and parent discussion groups. In these ways the counselor assists parents to: –Understand their children's progress in school. –Select strategies to motivate their children. –Develop realistic goals with their children. –Become actively involved in their children's school life. –Understand the educational program K-12. –The counselor consults with parents to identify students with special abilities and/or needs. In this capacity the counselor helps parents understand the services available from other school staff such as the school psychologist, social worker, and resource teachers. The counselor helps parents find other professionals within the school system or within the larger community when extra support is needed.

Berlin Elementary Counseling Programs and Services Classroom and Small Group Lessons Career Awareness Character Building Bullying Prevention Anger management Stress reduction Test-Taking Strategies Positive Choices Divorce Good Touch/Bad Touch Stranger Danger Personal Safety Conflict Resolution Friendship Skill Building Student Assistance Program (ESAP) Weekly meetings of teachers, counselors and administrators to address children identified with academic, emotional, social or behavioral issues Referrals are made by parents, teachers or by students Parent permissions are sought for serious concerns that may require referral services or testing by the school psychologist Once parent permission is given, information is collected from parents and teachers and forwarded to the school psychologist for a multi-disciplinary evaluation.

Counseling and Program Services Cont. Screening and Referral The counselor will upon request meet with students to assess the level of need and make a recommendation for either in school or out of school assistance. Classroom Observations Clinical Assessments Informal Testing Parent Conferences Referral Services Data Collection Parental Support Service Appointment Participation Consultation Referral to School Social Work Services School Social Work Services In some cases, children can benefit from a counselor that can better coordinate help between home and the school. If appropriate the school counselor or Special Education Coordinator can make a referral for School Social Work Services Provided by the IU08 Certified Master’s level Therapist Assistance in School and at Home Referral Assistance CHIP Application Assistance ACCESS Application Assistance Service Appointment Participation

Counseling Resources Often Parents need professional assistance with a child or family difficulty. The following are several services that have been utilized by parents in our school District: Croyle Psychological Associates: Geistown: Piles Psychological Associates: Footsteps: Dr. Tammy Haslett: Geistown: Beal Counseling Services: Somerset/Bedford MH/MR: Allegheny Lutheran Social Service: ACRP (family counseling): New Day: Victim Services: Family Center: Women’s Help Center: or Seslow Traumatic Stress Treatment Center:

The Family Center Located in Salisbury, PA, the Family Center Provides numerous resources, supports and educational programs for children and families in our surrounding area Parents As Teachers Interactive Home Visitation program Prenatal to age 5 Empowers parents to be their child’s best first teacher Primary focus is on early childhood development Enhance parenting skills and positive interactions Parent support/Group activities Information/Referral services Parenting Wisely Self-administered, computer-based parent education program Targets parents with children 9 to 18 Interactive format models positive parenting skills Designed to build skills for combating risks and reduce family conflict and child problem behaviors Somerset County Fatherhood Initiative Community-based, Father-specific programming. Increases Father involvement in home visits, parent groups and school. Parents Who Care Evidenced-based parent education curriculum Individual home visits or group sessions Families with children age 6-17 Addresses family conflict Educates parents on adolescent risks and how to build protective factors Additional Services Regional Parent/Child playgroups (including a Playgroup in Berlin) CHIP Application Assistance

Additional Service Providers Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. 118 South Kimberly Ave. Somerset, PA Alternative Community Resource Program 651 South Center Ave. Suite 200 Somerset, PA Laurel Springs Center 614 South Franklin Ave. Suite 200 Somerset, PA Children’s Behavioral Health 118 South Center Ave Somerset, PA Family Behavioral Resources – Autism Resources 140 West Union Street Somerset, PA Alliance Health Care 451 Aberdeen Drive Suite 7 Somerset, PA

Contact Information Keith Allen Hay, M.Ed School: Home: