FSC Parent Newsletter

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves.
We are the Amherst CSD Family Support Center—a duo of mental health professionals dedicated to walking alongside families, students, and educators to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. You may have heard of us before, or browsed our newsletters (please say you have!!!), but we want to make sure you know exactly how we can support you and your student this school year.

At the Family Support Center, we believe that every student’s well-being is deeply connected to the support they receive both at school and at home. That’s why our mission is rooted in collaboration—with families, educators, and community partners—to create lasting, long-term solutions that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

We understand that the challenges students face don't happen in a vacuum. Whether it's academic struggles, behavioral concerns, mental health needs, or family-related issues, they are often interconnected and require a community-wide response. That’s where we come in.

What We Do:

1. Parenting Support
We offer resources, workshops, and one-on-one professional guidance and consultation to help parents and caregivers navigate the everyday challenges of raising children and teens. From communication strategies to managing behavior at home, our parenting expert can support you.

2. Collaborative Problem Solving
When concerns arise—academic, behavioral, or otherwise—we work closely with families, school staff, and community agencies to identify the root causes and develop sustainable, long-term plans. Our goal is not just to put out fires, but ultimately to prevent them.

3. Connection to Community Resources
Need help finding counseling, housing support, food resources, or after-school programs? We connect families with trusted community partners who can provide the support needed to reduce stress at home and allow students to focus on learning.

4. Family Advocacy
We empower families to be active participants in their child’s education by helping them navigate school systems, attend meetings, and understand their rights and options. Your voice matters, and we’re here to make sure that it’s heard.

Why It Matters:

When families and schools work together, students are more likely to succeed. By taking a holistic, team-based approach, we ensure that no student—or family—has to navigate challenges alone. We’re not just here to respond to issues, but to build stronger, more resilient families and communities. Together, we can make a lasting impact—because student success starts with support.

If you have questions, concerns, or just want to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Family Support Center. We’re here to help, and we look forward to partnering with you this year.

Juliane Grover, Family Support Center (FSC) Liaison & School Counselor
Marlana Howard, LCSW

Email: familysupportcenter@amherstschools.org
Download: Family Support Center Brochure

Read it now: Supporting your Child's Mental Health at Home: What Parents Need to Know

This article was created by members of the SMART Collaborative. The SMART Collaborative in Erie County is a professional learning community dedicated to improving mental health for students and families. By fostering interagency collaboration, it unites schools, community agencies and county leaders to share resources and best practices for a more supportive educational environment.

Digital Dangers is a virtual presentation designed to inform parents about the most pressing online safety concerns and give parents resources to use at home. The In-Person Watch Group will be in the Amherst Middle School auditorium and will start promptly at 6 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. Check in is at 5:30 p.m. The content of the presentation includes frank discussions about sensitive topics and is geared toward parents and adults only; it is not intended for young children to be present. The link to the presentation will not be shared; you must be present to watch the program. This will be the only presentation FBI Buffalo will do on this topic for schools in our region during this school year. This one-time presentation will not be recorded. View the flyer.

Registration is necessary.

Please register here: FBI Digital Dangers Registration Form

What is Unity Day?

Unity Day, started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center as the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month continues to grow every year as a tangible representation of the universal message that everyone wants to promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion to prevent bullying. You can plan to support the event by participating in the simple call to action—wear and share the color orange.

Why is it called ‘Unity Day’?

For years, bullying was justified with expressions such as, “Bullying is a natural part of childhood,” “Bullying makes kids tougher,” or “Bullying is a rite of passage.” The goal of Unity Day is to bring together youth, parents, educators, businesses, and community members across the nation to emphasize the message that bullying is not acceptable, and that all students deserve to be safe in school, online, and in the community.

Why orange?

It is a color that is associated with safety and visibility and its vibrancy makes an impactful statement. For too long, the response to bullying has been silence and those who were bullied felt that no one cared. The simple act of wearing orange shows that youth experiencing bullying are not alone. The goal of wearing and sharing orange is to empower those who are bullied, and everyone around them, to speak up and reach out with kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

Why just one day?

The hope is that the event serves as a catalyst for everyone to come together with a visual statement that our actions matter not only on one day, but every day. One young student shared that he wished Unity Day could be every day. When asked why, he replied: “So that every day everyone would be nicer to me and to each other.”

So mark your calendar for Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Every individual’s involvement is important! This event goes beyond schools and into the community and online environments. EVERYONE is invited to wear orange!

For more information about bullying prevention, visit PACER’s innovative website for parents.

Register Here.

The workshop will be facilitated by staff from the Clarence Schools Family Support Center and Amherst Schools Family Support Center. However, the workshop is open to any parents or caregivers across WNY who have children ages birth through age 11. The workshop will be virtual (Zoom) on Thursdays from 12 pm-1 pm on the following dates: October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13.

Family therapy isn’t just for times of crisis — it’s a valuable tool for families navigating a wide range of challenges. If your household has been experiencing frequent arguments, communication breakdowns, or emotional distance, therapy can help restore connection and understanding.

Families might benefit from therapy if they are facing:

• Persistent conflicts between parents and/or children
• Co-parenting challenges after divorce or separation
• Behavioral or emotional concerns in children or teens
• Grief or loss of a family member
• Blended family adjustments
• Mental health or substance use issues affecting the family

Family therapy provides a safe space for all members to express themselves, learn healthy communication strategies, and rebuild trust. Whether the issues are new or long-standing, working with a licensed therapist can help families move forward together with greater empathy and resilience.

Considering therapy might be the first step toward a healthier home.

Reach out to the Family Support Center today to get linked. View the Family Therapy flyer.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 - Family Peer Parent Connection Group

6 - 7:30 pm, Family Support Center, 4007 Main St.

RSVP required, Call 362-3071 or 362-3073

Thursday, Oct. 16 - COPE Parenting Program

Noon - 1 pm

Virtual - Registration Required

Wednesday, Oct. 22 - Unity Day - District Wide

Wear orange to unite as a school commUNITY for National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Triple P Parenting Program - Parents of children ages 0-12

Virtual on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 7:30 pm - Registration Required, Call 362-3071 or 362-3073

Triple P Parenting Program - Parents of tweens and teens

Virtual on Thursdays from 6 - 8 pm - Registration Required, Call 362-3071 or 362-3073

Thursday, Nov. 6 - Digital Dangers

5:30 check-in; 6-8 pm, Amherst Middle School Auditorium

Registration Required

Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Grandparent & Kinship Fair

5:30- 7:30pm, Amherst Center for Senior Services, 370 John James Audubon Pkwy.

We exist to provide community resources and support to families in the pursuit to create well-adjusted and confident children.

Help us build our lending library of books on mental health and social emotional learning topics, as well as parenting books. Can you purchase a book on their wish list? There's a wide variety to select from. View the wish list.