FROM THE S T. JOHNS SC HOOL DIS TRICT’S
ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT
bullying and dating. The District Crisis Response Team
will continue to provide training and support to develop
school-based crisis response teams for supporting
students and staff in the event of disaster or loss.
For the 2019/2020 school year, we will be piloting
an evidence-based program titled Sources of Strength
(SOS) at our high schools. SOS is a best practice youth
suicide prevention project designed to harness the
power of peer social networks to change unhealthy
norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide,
bullying, and substance abuse. The upstream model
provided by SOS strengthens multiple sources of
support around young individuals so that when times get
hard they have strengths to rely on.
M
ental health has been recognized as a highlighted
focus over the last couple of years. As a school
system, we have been working on different aspects
of mental health to support students in need. In 2018,
the state Legislature provided an allocation to expand
what we had in place and increase new ways to allow
for student engagement with mental health both in
education and prevention.
Presently for mental health education, students
receive classroom lessons to introduce and support
competencies regarding American School Counselor
Association Mindsets and Behaviors for Student
Success Standards which work to help students manage
emotions and apply interpersonal skills. In addition,
Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional
Learning (CASEL) Social Emotional Competencies
are integrated and practiced in elementary classroom
English Language Arts instruction through Being a
Reader, Being a Writer, and/or Making Meaning.
Middle school students receive lessons to support
substance abuse prevention and safe and healthy
relationships. High school HOPE classes have been
enhanced by providing supplemental mental health
awareness instruction provided by licensed mental
health counselors. School-wide prevention programs
have been implemented as well to address topics
including, but not limited to, substance abuse, suicide,
School-based counseling is an important part of
the school environment and is provided by a school
counselor, school social worker or school psychologist.
Examples of this are brief solution-focused counseling,
Heart Math, and/or group counseling focusing on
family issues, anxiety, anger management, and/
or social skills. Additional interventions may include
prevention groups provided by a district mental health
counselor, wellness check-in/check-out procedures,
mentor programs, referral to community agencies,
student support plans, and/or on-site mental health
clinics. The Mobile Crisis Response Team is another
resource utilized when a student crisis situation is
indicated.
Mental health and well-being support is paramount
to our students’ success. We must be diligent in our
efforts to ensure the resources and individuals are in
place to offer services whether internally or externally.
Throughout the SJCSD we are dedicated to the
academic and social emotional growth of each and
every student. The Student Services Department is here
to help and if I, or any member of the team, can be of
assistance, please reach out to us at 904-547-7724.
Kyle Dresback
KYLE DRESBACK, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT
FOR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
VIS IT U S ONLI NE AT WWW.PARE NTM AGAZINE FLORIDA .COM
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