Health Professionals as Consultants Examining the flow of communication within the structures of our school

Goals for this session - Analysis of Communication practices within your school structure - Identify Good Practices - What are the “take aways” - Clearly identify your role in relation to supporting the emotional wellness of your community - Networking of ideas

Morsels to chew on - What role do you play in supporting students? - How does your job description define this role? - Is it clear to you? The School Community? - What practices do you instill in protecting the confidentiality and privacy of those students and families that you work with?

Flow of Communication Who are the people involved when information needs to be shared? Head of School Division Head Advisor Teacher Dean Coach Resident Advisor Counselor/ Support Services Others?? ???

( small boarding school example) Head of School School Counselor Dean of Students advisor Teacher/Coach Class Dean/ Academic Dean Parent

( medium day school example ) Head of School Assistant Head of school Assistant Head of School (Facilities) Admissions Director Development Director Head of the Upper School Head of the Middle School Head of the Lower School Deans Curriculum Coordinators Advisors Teachers Coaches Advisors Teachers Coaches Student Support Counselor, Nurse Learning Specialist Classroom Teachers Specialist

Communication Important factors in communication and collaboration  Confidentiality  - How do we speak to one another? –What information is being shared? –When is it important to breech confidentiality  Informal vs. Formal –Systems that are in place for communication about student related issues. –“Counseling on the Run” (Stanley King developed concept)  Use of Technology –Confidentiality within this forum of communication –Subjectivity vs Factual discussion via computer use  School Protocol/Policies –Mandated reporting, etc.

Where to go from here? In identifying the successes and failures of our communication practices, what adjustments need to be made. – “Best Practices” – (NAIS, ASCA, ACA, APA) School Attorneys Trainings for faculty and staff Others????