From Your School Social Worker
Resources from Katie Coulson, Hopewell Social Worker
Hello Hawk Families!
It has been a fantastic year so far! I know I joined in a little late with the arrival of my little one, but I am so impressed with all our community has done. I wanted to reintroduce myself and share about ways I can support you and your family. From housing, food, clothing, etc. My goal is to be able to provide you the resources that you and your family need.
As your School Social Worker, I am here to help ensure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. I work with students, families, and staff to promote emotional wellness, connect families to resources and help navigate any challenges that may arise.
Katie Coulson, LCSW
816-359-5567
The Purpose of this Newsletter
I will update throughout the school year with community resources and different information to help provide support for you and your family.
You can always reach out to me directly as well, I am always willing to brainstorm a way I can help even if a specific resource is not listed on here.
Need Referrals or Resources?
Attendance Matters
Strong school attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s academic success. When students are present and engaged, they build skills, stay connected with their learning, and develop positive routines that support long‑term achievement.
In Missouri, the statewide expectation is that every student maintains at least a 90% attendance rate. This comes from the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education’s (DESE) proportional attendance model—often called the 90/90 rule—which requires that 90% of students attend school at least 90% of the time.
Every day in school truly matters. Thank you for partnering with us to help your child show up, learn, and thrive!
Food Resources
Free and Reduced Lunch
Families who think they might qualify for free or reduced meals should apply for these benefits. You must reapply for these benefits each year.
If your child is eligible for free and reduced meal benefits and you apply, you can also receive additional benefits like fee waivers, activity scholarships, free screenings, school supplies and more.
More information on free and reduced meals can be found by clicking here.
Other Food Resources
There are many public assistance programs, including those that help families access food and nutrition support—such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) that may be available to you.
For further help, there are many local food resources and community partners that may be able to assist you.
Here are a few options currently available:
- St. Vincent De Paul – 816-741-8661 – it is in the basement of St. Therese church (7277 NW Highway 9). On your first visit you need a Photo I.D., and Proof of residence dated within the last 90 days (piece of mail, receipt, utility bill, lease). Make a monthly appointment there to stock up.
- The SPEAC pantry (819 Main Street; Parkville MO 64152; Phone: 816.746.1057)- it is right there off 9 highway as well so it and St. Therese would be very close. You make a monthly appointment with them. I would try to space this about two weeks out from St. Vincent.
- Mimi’s Pantry - 816-735-0220 - 2255 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, Missouri 64150 - Proof of Residency in Platte or Clay county (a current a current utility bill such as Gas, Electric, or Water, a lease or government issued mail) and ID (Driver’s license, state ID, or passport) required. You can shop twice a month by appointment. Try to do this one on the weeks you do not go to SPEAC or St. Vincent.
- HOPE.wrx - 816-729-2095 - 900 NE Vivion Rd. (southwest corner of Hillside Christian Church). This is a once monthly pantry, and the hours are below. On your first visit you need a Photo I.D., and Proof of residence dated within the last 90 days (piece of mail, receipt, utility bill, lease).
Monday – 5pm to 7pm
Tuesday – 3pm to 5pm
Wednesday – 5pm to 7 pm
Thursday – 1pm to 3pm
Saturday – 9am to 11am
- There is one other pantry (St. James off Vivion Road) that is Bi-weekly that is referral only. Please let me know if you would like me to make a referral to this pantry.
*NEW START TIME- 8:30AM*
PTA Clothing Center
The clothing center is a FREE service provided by the PTAs in cooperation with the Park Hill School District. Each student receives new and lightly used clothing along with new socks and underwear. Each student must provide proof of registration for the current year. This could be a class schedule, student ID, or a letter from the social worker.
Ongoing Resources
Mental Health Wellness
Beacon Mental Health (formerly Tri-County): Services include mental health, substance use treatment, prevention and wellness activities for Clay, Platte and Ray counties. To begin services at Beacon, all you have to do is call to request an intake appointment, or arrive during their walk-in hours (8:30-1 Monday through Friday). To schedule an intake appointment, please call: 816-468-0400 Beacon's Crisis Line can be reached 24/7 at: 1-888-279-8188 Mental Health Services for Non-Medicaid clients: A great way to find community mental health providers is by calling the number on your insurance card. The number is likely labeled as Behavioral Health Services. When calling your insurance provider, you can ask for a list of local in-network therapists. You can also look on PsychologyToday.com, as this is a great website to find local providers. As always, please reach out to Mrs. Coulson or Ms. Halpin if you need support finding a mental health resource. Please see the Community Resource List below for a few other community mental health providers in our area.
Community Resources
United Way: 211
United Way 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that connects people to everyday needs that aren’t quite 9-1-1 emergencies. Need to find counseling? A health clinic? Job training? A food pantry? Simply dial 2-1-1, or visit United Way 2-1-1 Online to search for resources on your own.
Northland Human Services Directory
http://www.northlandhumanservices.org/directory.html
For Multiple Services & Emergency Assistance
Hope Faith Ministries: daytime homeless center; provides food, clothing, showers, laundry service, and phone and mail access
https://www.hopefaith.org/services
Phone: 816-471-4673
Catholic Charities: provides housing, workforce development, education, healthcare, grief support, emergency assistance, turn-around re-entry after prison, disability and deaf services,
Senior care, possible help with utility bills and rent assistance
Phone: 816-221-4377
Salvation Army Emergency Services: 816-756-1455 or 816-452-5663
Northland Assistance Center: provides emergency assistance with food, lodging, holiday food baskets, referral services, case management, etc.
Phone: 816-421-2243
Homeless
Homeless Hotline: 816-474-4599
Sheffield Place: provides long-term shelter and support services to homeless mothers and their children
phone: 816-483-9927
Housing Authority: helps with providing affordable housing
Phone: 816-968-4100
Family Promise of the Northland: provides both a day center with laundry, WiFi, showers, basic clothing etc. and a shelter
816-888-7070
Hillcrest Transitional Housing: 816-587-9037; apply online for the adult and family transitional housing program: https://hillcrestplatte.org/family-and-adult-application/
Salvation Army Supportive Housing: 816-285-2496
ReStart: Provides shelter and support services to the homeless. 918 E 9th St, KCMO.
816-842-1199
Rose Brooks Center: emergency domestic violence shelter
Phone: 816-861-6100
Synergy Services: children’s shelter, teen shelter, temporary housing for youth transitioning into adulthood, emergency domestic violence shelter
Phone: 816-587-4100
Medical
Swope Health Northland: 2906 NW Vivion Road Riverside, MO 64150
Phone: 816-627-2050 Fax: 816-599-5961
Platte County Health Department: 7925 NW 110th St, Kansas City, MO 64153; phone: 816-858-2412
Children’s Mercy Hospital: 2401 Gilham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-234-3000 or Children's Mercy Northland Clinic 501 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64155
Mental Health
Beacon Mental Health Center: 3100 NE 83rd St, Kansas City, MO 64119, 816-468-0400
Synergy Services: 816-587-4100
Metis Counseling: 816-399-4204
NOVO Counseling: 816-841-7735
Signature Behavioral Services (adults only) Liberty or North Kansas City Locations: 877-329-3731
Lilac Center (ages 13 and up): 816-221-0305
Embark Counseling Services: 913-257-3161
Dipoto Counseling Services: 816-268-8501
Comprehensive Psychiatric Associates: 816-453-7473
Stay safe, stay warm, and always, please reach out if there is anything we can do to support you and/or your student!