Annual Conference Anaheim, California November 2008 My Mind Turns to a Different Point of View after the RAIN

Elementary School Counselors Nancy Carey Sharon Tucker Chris O’Sullivan Kim Lesnick Dean Lesicko Director Murrieta Valley USD COMPREHENSIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM

Re-Engage Advocate Intervene Nurture

History of Grant  Previously, in Murrieta, there were no elementary school counselors  Principals continued to request counselors  Several counselors decided to write the ESSCP grant in order to meet the need of the elementary schools.  Research of Dr. Adelman and Dr. Taylor from UCLA Mental Health Project Addressing Barriers to Learning.

Risk Factors

Implementing the ASCA National Model

Educate staff on the role of the school counselor as part of program support

Range of Learners I = Motivationally ready and able II = Not very motivated/lacking prerequisite knowledge & skills/different learning rates & styles/minor vulnerabilities III = Avoidant/very deficient in current capabilities/has a disability/major health problems Instructional Component (a) Classroom Teaching (b) Enrichment Activity Barriers to Learning development and teaching High Standards DesiredOutcomes No Barriers 2 Re-engaging Students in Classroom Instruction 1 Addressing Interfering Factors Enabling Component

Barriers  Divorce of parents  Relocation due to loss of home/high level of mobility  Lack of food/shelter  Lack of glasses and medical insurance  Lack of social skills needed to make friends  Lack of parental support in the home  Grief  Violence and drugs  Negative encounters with peer/teachers  Medical problems Enabling Components  Small groups to allow students a place to be heard.  Connect families with community resources for food, shelter, clothing, and health care.  Parenting classes  Provide a liaison between student and teacher  Provide a liaison between student and parent  Provide student with organizational skills  Teach students coping skills  Health education  School lunch program  Drug prevention programs

School Guidance 1. Academic Support, organizational, study and test-taking skills 2. Goal setting and decision- making 3. Career awareness 4. Peer relationships, coping strategies and effective social skills 5. Communication, problem solving and conflict resolution Small Group 1. Academic planning 2. Goal setting/decision- making 3. Education on understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses 4. Transition plans 5. Referrals for additional support

I. IDENTIFY AND REDUCE BARRIERS TO LEARNING 1. Guidance Lessons (Universal all students) 2. Small Group Counseling (Selected students)* 3. Individual/Family Counseling (Targeted students)* 4. Data Analysis *Based on CST scores and referrals. II.ENHANCE ABILITY OF STAFF TO ENGAGE ALL STUDENTS 1. Professional Development 2. Affective Training 3. Teacher Support 4. Classroom/ Student Interventions III. CREATE A CULTURE WHERE ALL FEEL CONNECTED AND VALUED 1. Support transitions student/staff 2. PEER Leaders 3. Community Involvement 4. Resources for Families

Curriculum Peacemakers -A Violence Prevention Program By Jeremy Shapiro, P.D. S.S. Grin- Social Skills Group Intervention By SEL media *Programs used are research validated

A Case-Oriented Team Focused on specific individuals and discrete services. A Resource-Oriented Team Focused on All students and the resources, programs and systems To address barriers to learning and promote healthy development.

Universal Learning Supports System for Prevention System for Early Intervention System for Intensive Intervention 1.Classroom Focused Supports 2. Crisis & Emergency Assistance 3. Support for Transitions 4. Home Involvement 5. Community Volunteers 6. Student & Family Assistance

 First year program, very fluid, constantly making changes and adjustments.  Scheduling- 3.2 counselors servicing 11 elementary schools  Implementing over 1100 guidance lessons  Office space for counselors to meet with parents and to complete work (11X11 sq ft office shared by 3 counselors)  Timeline from the beginning of the grant to actual implementation of program

Guidance Curriculum : “Peace Makers” A Violence Prevention Program. All 4 th & 5 th graders. Small Group Curriculum: “S.S. GRIN” Social Skills Group Intervention. Targeted 4 th & 5 th graders based on CST scores and referrals. Each school will document discipline referrals during the school year. After receiving the Peace Makers and S.S. GRIN curriculum discipline referrals should be reduced and Academic Achievement should improve.

 As an administrator, I am very excited to see what impact the program will have on our students. I sat in on a couple of lessons and what stood out are the tools the students will be equipped with to deal with some of the real issues they face on campus. I appreciate the effort of the team and will support all you do in any way I can.  I would like to tell you about one of our students who participated in Mrs. Carey's Friendship Crew group for boys. It was a tremendous help for my student, and he is now slower to react inappropriately in difficult situations on the playground.  I just wanted to say that I have two students who are benefitting from the Friendship Club. They are very excited to attend it each week. Together, these and other interventions are making a difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for making this possible.