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School Counselor Connection

Tips for Success Vol 2, May 2020

School CounselorConnection Tips for Success Vol 2, May 2020
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Focus: Mental Health

May is Mental Health Month!


Explore #Tools2Thrive and discover practical tools that everyone can use to improve their #mentalhealth and increase resiliency. Visit www.mhanational.org/may to download the free #mentalhealthmonth toolkit and learn more information about: recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others.

Student Mental Health Week (click here)
Professional development and activities

Self-Care - Supporting Staff and Virtual Teams

Supporting the mental wellness of our staff is just as important as the mental health of our students. Read below for some articles worth checking out.

Five Strategies for Teacher Self-Care

How to Prevent Loneliness in a Time of Social Distancing

Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for School Staff Teachers, Counselors, Administration, Support Staff

Supporting You Support your Students

Being Our Best Self During Challenging Times by Dr. Marc Brackett

Virtual Counseling

Surveys for School Counselors: ready to use needs assessments and informed consent.


School Counselors Try To Keep Students Connected To Mental Health Services- school counselor talks about her experience with virtual counseling.


There’s an App for That—School Counseling and SEL Go Online- From virtual counseling to wellness apps, school districts are increasingly turning to “telehealth” to meet students’ mental health needs during the pandemic.


Sample of Virtual School Counseling Program Action Plan During COVID-19


Parent/Family Engagement

Family Engagement: Resource Roundup- Explore tips, strategies, and resources to help improve the connection from home to school and expand parent involvement.


NNPS Partnerships in the Time of COVID-19: Help All Children Keep Learning when School Buildings are Closed- Tips by Dr. Epstein to keeping parents and students engaged.


Upcoming Webinar


Webinar for Educators/School Personnel-Best Virtual Practices for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: This webinar, hosted by the Thompson Autism Center in collaboration with CAND, is intended for educators/school personnel. It will provide tips/education from experts in Autism Spectrum Disorder including psychologists, BCBA's, social workers, resource specialists and other community providers. Content will cover topics such as delivering curriculum effectively virtually, keeping the student motivated, addressing parental burnout , assessing for child abuse within the pandemic, and resources.


Time: May 13, 2020 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82317021850?pwd=c0xBN1M5Z0p4TXVOcDVrOCszVjhJdz09

Meeting ID: 823 1702 1850

Password: 5b3auc

Toolkits Toolkits

ASCA Resources:

ASCA Toolkit: Virtual Elementary School Counseling

ASCA Toolkit: Virtual Middle School Counseling

ASCA Toolkit: Virtual High School Counseling

Virtual Elementary School Counseling: Tier 1 How-to

Virtual Middle School Counseling: Tier 1 How-to


CASC Resources:

COVID-19 K-12 Counseling: Key educational and counseling resources to support students during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Comprehensive School Suicide Prevention Click here
Find guides for suicide prevention at a distance and virtual suicide assessment checklists.
Mental Health Month 2020 - Toolkit Download

Mental Health Month 2020 - Toolkit Download

You can download the various components of the May is Mental Health Month toolkit here.

launch mhanational.org
May is Mental Health Matters Month 2020 Activation Toolkit

May is Mental Health Matters Month 2020 Activation Toolkit

We are excited to share the 2020 May is Mental Health Matters Month toolkit. This year’s theme is “Express Yourself.”

launch emmresourcecenter.org
Schools Are Hosting Virtual Theme Weeks to Cheer Up Quarantined Kids

Schools Are Hosting Virtual Theme Weeks to Cheer Up Quarantined Kids

Encourage school spirit by taking theme weeks virtual. We've got 20 virtual theme week ideas to get your students sharing.

launch weareteachers.com
Mindfulness Toolkit (click here)
CHOC: Coping Videos (click here)
Recorded videos on coping strategies
UCLA Health Guided Meditations (click here)
Coping With Disaster And Traumatic Events Click here
Social Emotional Learning Activities (click here)
Free Social Emotional Learning Activities

Free Social Emotional Learning Activities

This page contains free social emotional learning activities that can be used to help students in elementary and middle school.

launch centervention.com

The Early Years

Learn About Children’s Mental Health | CDC

Learn About Children’s Mental Health | CDC

Mental health in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones, and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems.

launch cdc.gov
7 Tips for Managing Distance Learning in Preschool

7 Tips for Managing Distance Learning in Preschool

A preschool education director shares what her school is doing to keep kids’ screen time to a minimum while fostering play-based learning at home.

launch edutopia.org
The #PlayPandemic Guide (click here)
Ten Tools To Use (click here)

The Elementary Years

Talking to Children about covid-19

Talking to Children about covid-19

How to talk to children about COVID-19. Parents can offer a calm, empathetic presence while giving the right information to reduce the risk of infection from corona virus

launch brighthorizons.com
Supporting Kids' Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Supporting Kids' Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Check out our tips and resources for teachers and parents for supporting kids' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

launch weareteachers.com
Focusing on Student Well-Being in Times of Crisis

Focusing on Student Well-Being in Times of Crisis

One teacher recommends supporting student safety through three Cs: communication, consistency, and control.

launch edutopia.org

The Middle School Years

Dr. Laura Markham Helps Kids Manage Coronavirus Fears
There’s an App for That—School Counseling and SEL Go Online

There’s an App for That—School Counseling and SEL Go Online

From virtual counseling to wellness apps, school districts are increasingly turning to “telehealth” to meet students’ mental health needs during the pandemic.

launch edutopia.org
Why Are Some Kids Thriving During Remote Learning?

Why Are Some Kids Thriving During Remote Learning?

Though remote learning has brought many challenges, some students seem to be thriving in the new circumstances. What can we learn from them?

launch edutopia.org

The High School Years

Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth (click here)
Toolbox - Teen Mental Health

Toolbox - Teen Mental Health

launch teenmentalhealth.org
Coronavirus | Twelve Talks

Coronavirus | Twelve Talks

As a parent or guardian, it can be hard to know how to talk with teens about COVID-19, particularly when we are anxious and don’t feel as though we have all of the information ourselves. Nevertheless, engaging with our teens in dialogue is important for everyone’s well-being. Here's a little help...

launch twelvetalks.com
9 Tech Tools for Kids Dealing With Depression or Anxiety

9 Tech Tools for Kids Dealing With Depression or Anxiety

Online resources and tools such as apps, sites and text hotlines help kids cope with issues from cyberbullying to suicide

launch parentmap.com

For Families and Caregivers

Childhood and Teen Depression in English and Spanish
Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents Click here
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Answers: Children's Hospital Orange County

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Answers: Children's Hospital Orange County

How parents and guardians can protect their children from Coronavirus (COVID-19). Get answers from the experts at CHOC.

launch choc.org
Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty

If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty.

launch afsp.org
How teenagers can protect their mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19)

How teenagers can protect their mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19)

6 strategies for teens facing a new (temporary) normal

launch unicef.org
Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis | Child Mind Institute

Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis | Child Mind Institute

Tips for parents with older children at home during the coronavirus crisis. How to validate their feelings and help them stay active and healthy.

launch childmind.org
How to protect your family’s mental health in the face of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

How to protect your family’s mental health in the face of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

A conversation with adolescent psychology expert Dr. Lisa Damour

launch unicef.org
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OCDE Support and Resources

Instructional Continuity Website- find resources to support your students and families during distance learning.

OCDE Newsroom and Updates

Be Calm Session- guided meditations led by Dr. Vezzuto


K-12 School Counseling Services:

Luz M. Arellano, Ed.D., Coordinator

Crisis Response Network:

Stephanie Loscko, MSW, PPSC , Program Specialist

Family Engagement Program:

Sheree Newman, Program Specialist

Student Mental Health, Social & Emotional Learning, Restorative Practice:

Lucy A. Vezzuto, PhD

McKinney Vento Homeless Information & Support:

Jeanne Awrey Coordinator

​Student Services (CWA/SARB):

Terrance Dunn, M.Ed., Coordinator

Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program:

Raina K Lee, Coordinator

Need different topics?

Let us know how we are doing! Complete our survey
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Luz M. Arellano, Ed.D

K-12 School Counseling Services Coordinator

Educational Services

Orange County Department of Education

Email: larellano@ocde.us
Website: https://ocde.us/EducationalServices/LearningSupports/OCCounselingNetwork/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA

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