In a column addressing the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest that’s followed, Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares says Americans must unite behind shared values and “create the change we wish to see in our lifetimes and for future generations.”

School counselors are advocates for the equitable treatment of all students in school and in the community. School counselors must be prepared to talk to students about race issues and anti-racism. School counseling standards define the school counseling profession. These standards help school counselors develop, implement and assess their school counseling program to improve student outcomes (ASCA, 2020).

American School Counselor Association Resources and Statements

Position Statement: The School Counselor and Equity for All Students
Position Statement: The School Counselor and Cultural Diversity

Journal article: Race, Gender, Class and Achievement: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Urban School Counseling

Journal article: Myth Buster, What is your role in addressing race and racism in your school environment?

California Association of School Counselors

Letter from CASC Executive Director, Dr. Loretta Whitson

Resources for Educators: Addressing Racism

Best Practices: Guidelines for School Counselors

The death of George Floyd is triggering for many students. Schools counselors play a critical role in supporting students during this difficult time.

• Take a moment to watch this webinar by Derek Francis, manager of Counseling Services for Minneapolis Public Schools.
• OCDE Article: How to help children cope with tragic events
• Teaching Tolerance: Discussing Race, Racism and Other Difficult Topics with Students
• Teaching Tolerance: Facilitating Critical Conversations with Students
  

• Teaching Tolerance: Affirming Black Lives without Inducing Trauma

• Mental Health Resources for our African American Community

• Hatching Results, Dr. Trish Hatch: Black Lives Matter Statement and Call for Action

The mental health and wellbeing of our students is foremost on the minds of all educators at this critical time in our country. We also know that School Counselors are well equipped and able to support student mental health by providing prevention and intervention strategies that meet the needs of students within an MTSS continuum of support (universal, supplemental and intensified).

That role has not always been clear for others to understand. To clarify and amplify our position, the County Office of Education Leadership for School Counselors (COELSC) has partnered with the California Association of School Counselors and Hatching Results, LLC. to develop a document which can be used to help Administrators, Teachers, Students and Families understand the role of School Counselors in supporting student mental health within the MTSS framework.

Adverse Childhood Experience Study (ACES)

• Preventing Adverse Childhood Experience
• Holly Magana: Responding to Students Who Have Experienced Adversity presentation

School Counselors 4 MTSS

• Heading Back to School: Trauma Informed MTSS

ASCA Specialist Certificates and Reading

• Grief and Loss Specialist
• Anxiety and Stress Management Specialist
  
• Mental Health Specialist
  
• Trauma and Crisis Specialist
• Get Your Group On Presentation
• ASCA Position Statement on Trauma Informed Practice
• Journal article: Transforming Trauma- School with Informed Care

Universal Screening

• School Mental Health Screening Playbook: Best Practices and Tips

Department of Education

• Department of Education Tips for Helping Children Recover from Traumatic Events

Wisconsin Department of Public Education Resources

• Trauma Sensitive Schools Online Professional Development

• Sample of SEL modules

Additional Resources

• OCDE Resources on Trauma
• Trauma Informed Practices: Resources for School Counselors
• Priority for Trauma-Sensitive Remote Learning: Keeping Connections Strong
• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for School Staff Teachers, Counselors, Administration, Support Staff
• Trauma Informed Resilient Schools
• Resilience Quiz
• Countering Coronavirus Stigma and Racism: Tips for Teachers and Other Educators by NASP

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond released the California Department of Education’s official recommendations for safely reopening schools. “Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools” will serve as a road map for educators as they work with their local public health officials and school communities to navigate next steps.

Watch recording here | Stronger Together Guide here

From Pandemic Pandemonium to Re-Entry: Planning, Filling Gaps, and Re-imagining School with an Equity Mindset

• View Session
• View Handout

Implementation Teams: Don't Reopen Without One

• View Session
• View Handout

Impact Learning and Leading Group

• Link to Virtual Summit

CASEL Social Emotional Learning

• A Tool to Support Systemic SEL
• An Initial Guide to Leveraging the Power of Social Emotional

ASCA and NASP

• School Re-entry Considerations

Proactive Counseling in the Aftermath of Major Racial Incidents

• Links to webinars

Supporting You Supporting Students: Tools for the Challenging Times

• Link to webinar series

National Center for School Mental Health

• Advancing Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems

School Counselors 4 MTSS

• Link to webinars

Instructional Continuity Website- find resources to support your students and families

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

K-12 School Counseling Services Coordinator

Educational Services

Orange County Department of Education

We value your feedback. Please provide feedback about our newsletter here

Email: larellano@ocde.us
Website: https://ocde.us/EducationalServices/LearningSupports/OCCounselingNetwork/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 200 Kalmus Dr Costa Mesa
Phone: 714-966-4476