The Comprehensive School Counseling Program of the East Stroudsburg Area School District facilitates the academic, career, personal, and social growth, development, and actualization of each student through the recognition, appreciation, and acceptance of individual and cultural differences.

Staff | Position Statement | Program Rationale | Purpose | Goals | Program Components | Guidance Curriculum | Individual Planning | Responsive Services | Community Referral Sources

Guidance Staff

The Guidance Staff is dedicated to helping students through troubles they encounter to accomplish their goals in life.

Position Statement of the American School Counselor Association(ASCA)

ASCA endorses comprehensive school counseling programs that promote and enhance student learning. The focus of an effective program is on three broad and interrelated areas of student development: academic, career, and personal/social. The school counselor uses a variety of activities and resources to promote the desired student development. School counselor responsibilities include organization, implementation, and coordination of the program.

The East Stroudsburg Area School District's Guidance Department adheres to the ethical standards which were adopted by the American School Counselors, please refer to Appendix I or to the ASCA's website
www.schoolcouselor.org/files/ethical%20standards.pdf

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Program Rationale

The adolescent undergoes significant physical, emotional, psychological, social, and intellectual changes. These changes often occur whether or not the individual is prepared for such changes or for the resulting consequences. Each student, because of individual and cultural differences, responds in varying ways to these developmental challenges, processes, and tasks. As a result of these differences, it can be concluded that the needs of each student are not likely to be met through instruction alone. Therefore, the comprehensive school counseling program maintains that the personal, social, vocational, and academic needs of each student can be best met through the balance of teaching, developmental counseling, and guidance.

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Purpose

The comprehensive school counseling program, based on a developmental and systemic foundation, serves as a vital and accountable component of the educational environment or system. The program, implemented by professional school counselors in accordance with national, state, and local standards and policies, employs direct and indirect services through a guidance curriculum, individual planning, and responsive and support services. The school counselor then plays the role of facilitating communication and collaboration among students, counselors, teachers, administrators, families, school personnel, outside agencies, and the community at large. School counselors advocate for the rights of all students irrespective of emotional, physical, cultural, or interpersonal differences. The school-counseling program facilitates the academic, career, personal, and social growth, development, and actualization of each student by eliminating barriers to success, thereby, enabling him/her to become a productive and contributing member of society.

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Program Goals

The primary goal of the East Stroudsburg secondary school counseling program is to assist in providing an accessible school environment in which students can achieve and maximize their academic, vocational, personal, and social potential through developmentally appropriate means. More specifically, the goals of the East Stroudsburg Area School District Secondary Counseling Program reflect the national standards for school counseling programs.

A. The academic goals are as follows:
1.Students will acquire attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the lifespan.
2.Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post secondary options.
3.Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work, and to life at home and in the community.

B. The career goals are as follows:
1.Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and make informed career decisions.
2.Students will employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction.
3.Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, and the world of work.

C. The personal/social goals are as follows:
1.Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.
2.Students will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals.
3.Students will understand safety and survival skills.

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Program Components

The comprehensive school counseling program is designed and implemented for the purpose of meeting the developmental, personal, social, academic, and vocational needs of our students. In order to facilitate the services effectively, the program is divided into four essential components: guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services, and system support. Collaborative efforts among students, counselors, teachers, administrators, families, school personnel, community agencies, and other entities throughout the community are stressed in each of these components as well as throughout the program as a whole.

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Guidance Curriculum

The guidance curriculum component is utilized for the purpose of disseminating information and content to all students in a sequential and systematic manner. The curriculum is typically divided into preventive, educational, and instructional units presented through one-on-one counseling sessions, classroom, or large group activities.

A. The Intermediate School Guidance Curriculum is as follows:

1. At the intermediate school large group guidance consists of providing and delivering academic, career, personal and social information and skills, to students by means of large group meetings. The components of large group guidance include cooperative learning methods, organized objectives and activities, and developmental and sequential guidance units. In carrying out the objectives of large group guidance units, counselors, teachers and administrators collaborate in the planning and presentation of these lessons and learning activities.

2. As part of the intermediate school counseling program, several guidance curriculum units may be presented throughout the school year with each grade level receiving various units in conjunction with their classes and consistent with their developmental needs. Topic may include but are not limited to, the following:

-self-esteem building
-self understanding
-diversity/understanding others
-peer relationships
-problem solving
-conflict resolution
-social skills
-interpersonal communication
-dealing with loss

The majority of these units will be scheduled each year based on the success and evaluation of these programs. Other emergency or crisis-oriented interventions will be implemented as needed on an individual or group basis.

B. The Secondary School Guidance Curriculum is as follows:

1. The Secondary guidance curriculum is delivered via classroom presentations, individual counseling sessions, and educational seminars for teachers, students, and parents of the community. Acquisition of information in a large group format includes interest inventory materials, hard copy and computer software used to conduct career and college searches, and educational seminars for the college application process, financial aid, and course scheduling issues. Students are given specialized guidance in regard to their selection of courses which may reflect curriculum within the format of Career Pathways, which includes a sequence of courses offered at the high school designed to prepare a student to pursue a desired career.

2. At the high school the actual curriculum or what is taught is based on the individual needs of the student. Topics of individual or group counseling sessions may include but are not limited to, the following:

-Stress Management
-Anger Management
-Time Management
-Study Strategies
-Coping Strategies
-Conflict Resolution Strategies
-Family Relationships
-Dating Relationships
-Peer Relationships
-Family Dynamics
-Family Dysfunction
-The Grieving Process
-The Nature of Addiction
-Life Transitions
-Esteem Building

3. The Secondary school has a Comprehensive Career Development Program which is implemented by the Career and College Counselor. This counselor is responsible for providing career guidance via classroom presentations to all students throughout grades nine through twelve. There are eleven career planning activities in which all students will participate prior to graduation. Classes are conducted in an interactive Career Lab, which is equipped with twenty-five plus computers that utilize the latest career planning software and websites, to assist students in exploring their career and/or post-secondary educational goals. The following topics and activities which are included in this program are appropriate for a student's grade level:

A.) Freshmen-career awareness and introduction to career exploration with accompanying electronic career interest survey;

B.) Sophomores-explanation of college admission tests (PSAT, SAT, ACT); introduction of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB); continuation of career exploration.

C.) Juniors-explanation of the process of selecting a college and a college major as well as completion of a career related graduation project. Every student must successfully complete a career related graduation project which includes both a formal research paper and oral presentation. The career related graduation projects will be coordinated by the Career and College Counselor with support and assistance from the 11th grade English teachers.

D.) Seniors-awareness of the different types of financial aid available for post-secondary education and the process to apply for available aid; resume writing: and proper interviewing skills

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Individual Planning

Information is acquired by the student on an individual basis to address personal counseling issues, course scheduling issues, the college application process, and various other educational and/or academic endeavors. As part of the comprehensive school-counseling program, individual students may utilize computer software, access the career center, and/or pursue relevant community services.

Individual student planning is an essential component to enable students to plan, monitor, manage, and understand their own development throughout the educational process and beyond. This component further serves to assist students in developing, recognizing, evaluating, or solidifying their educational, career, personal, or life goals and plans.

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Responsive Services

The responsive services component is an ongoing process and is utilized for the purpose of meeting the direct and immediate needs and concerns of the individual students as they arise. Responsive services are implemented through personal counseling, crisis counseling, consultation, facilitation, coordination, and referral.

The Role of the Counselor

Counseling is a helping process in which the school counselor provides a safe, nurturing, invitational environment. By establishing a trusting, confidential working relationship, students can share their feelings and develop positive solutions to personal issues. Often the focus is on problem solving, decision making, and discovering personal meaning related to learning and development. Parents, teachers, administrators, nurses, and students can initiate a referral to the school counselor. The role of the school counselor can be defined, but is not limited to four basic tasks: counseling, consulting, facilitating, and coordinating.

A. Counseling Tasks

1. Advocate for students
2. Listen to students, assess their needs and develop realistic interventions
3. Provide short-term personal counseling in individual and group settings
4. Help students to cope with social or emotional pressures, set realistic goals, and become responsible young adults
5. Help students to understand and accept their capabilities, limitations and learning style
6. Refer and/or report a case when a person’s welfare is in jeopardy
7. Assist students with transitions and orientation issues
8. Develop a network of community referral agencies and therapists to provide services to individual students
9. Make referrals for long-term or specialized therapy and act as a school liaison
10. Work with the police department, hospital personnel, social service agencies, and court systems when necessary
11. Provide faculty and parent education
12. Channel concerns to the appropriate school personnel

B. Consultation Tasks

1. Provide professional expertise to staff, parents, and the community
2. Assist in the identification of problems that arise in school which are not always recognized at home, and help provide recommendations that lead to solutions
3. Assist with classroom and behavior management issues
4. Provide feedback to parents and teachers concerning an individual student’s counseling needs
5. Develop educational strategies with school personnel and community mental health specialists to meet the needs of individual students who are experiencing difficulties
6. Collaborate with special educators to assist in the development of educational plans that meet the needs of special education students
7. Advocate for appropriate student placement

C. Facilitation Tasks

1. Design and teach a comprehensive guidance curriculum addressing the developmental needs of all students
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the counseling services and guidance curriculum and seek ways to improve them
3. Promote an awareness of counseling services and provide information about guidance curriculum to the school and community
4. Chair school meetings with teachers, parents, and students

D. Coordination Tasks

1. Coordinate the accumulation, organization, and maintenance of purposeful information concerning students through such means as conferences with the student and his/her parents, standardized test scores, anecdotal records, personal data forms, inventories, rating scales, and the collection and dissemination of student records
2. Furnish data to the receiving school when the student transfers; obtain data for newly-enrolled students, and provide data to educational and training institutions, prospective employers and employment agencies, observing district policies for confidentiality of pupil records
3. Coordinate the orientation and placement of students into the vocational-technical school program
4. Coordinate the visits for college admissions officials and representatives of the Armed Services to the high school
5. Coordinate student admission to and return from residential/rehabilitation facilities
6. Coordinate services of ESU, i.e. tutoring, and Upward Bound
7. Coordinate various testing programs within the school district, i.e. PSSA, PSAT, SAT, AP, and screenings for giftedness
8. Coordinate referral, placement, and reevaluation of students who are recommended for or are currently enrolled in district-operated special education programs

The responsive services also consist of local community agencies and various other contracted services. The process to link student needs with responsive services occurs in a direct and an indirect fashion. The direct route occurs between the counselor and the agency. An alternative referral process exists through the Student Assistance Program. This process coordinates the efforts of teachers, counselors, nurses, students, and community agencies.

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Community Referral Sources

• Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 Services - The primary assistance available to East Stroudsburg Area School District students from the Colonial Northampton Intermediate Unit #20 (IU 20) includes psychological and psychiatric testing, and speech, hearing, vision, and occupational therapy. The IU #20 may also provide various mental health services. These include school-based partial hospitalization programs, mobile therapy, therapeutic support staff, and autistic support programs.

Address:
6 Danforth Drive
Easton, PA 18045
(610) 252-5550

• Mental Health/ Mental Retardation - The Carbon, Monroe and Pike Counties Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program provides comprehensive services for individuals with mental health issues within the tri-county area. These services are either provided directly or through contractual agreements with other service providers. Any individual who lives within the tri-county area with psychiatric, psychological, or mental health issues, regardless of the ability to pay, is eligible for services. Fees are determined on a sliding scale based on the family’s financial resources. Individual and family treatment may be provided by a contracted counselor.

Monroe County Address:
730-A Philips Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570) 420-1900

Pike County Address:
10 Buist Road, Suite 404
Milford, PA 18337
(570) 296-6424

• Monroe County Children and Youth Services - Monroe and Pike County Children and Youth Services provides social services to children and youth whose parents or guardians need assistance with carrying out their child rearing responsibilities. Services include: counseling, day care, day treatment, foster family service, general child care facilities, group homes, information on and referral to protective services for child abuse, information on general protective services, shelter care service, supervised independent living, juvenile detention, and life skills education. Fees for services are determined by family income and are adjusted accordingly on a sliding scale.
  
  

  Monroe County Address:
  730-A Philips Street
  Stroudsburg, PA 18360
  (570) 420-1900
  
  Pike County Address:
  506 Broad Street
  Milford, PA 18337
  (570) 296-3446
  
  
• Child Line: For mandated reporting of suspected child abuse-1-800-932-0313
  
  
• Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare - Stroudsburg Office- The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare provides cash assistance, medical coverage, food stamps, and information/referral services to those who qualify. The qualifications for eligibility are determined by income and resource criteria which varies, according to the program, and the number of people within the household. Further information regarding this office can be obtained by contacting: Monroe County Assistance Office, Rte. 209 (Business) and Tanite Road, Stroudsburg, PA 18301, at 570-424-3030.

  
  Monroe Assistance Assistance Office:
  Rte. 209(Business) and Tanite Road
  Stroudsburg, PA 18360
  (570) 424-3030
  
  Pike County Assistance Office:
  Milford Professional Park, Suite 101
  Buist Road, Milford, PA 18337
  (570)296-6114
  
  
• Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) - OVR is a state agency that helps disabled persons help themselves prepare for, acquire, and maintain a job. OVR services include diagnostic services, vocational evaluation, counseling, restoration services, training, and placement. Persons are eligible for OVR services if they have a physical, mental, or emotional disability and the disability makes it difficult for them to get a job or maintain employment, or there is a good chance that with OVR’s assistance, the client will be able to maintain employment. Clients may have to pay for a particular service depending upon their income; however, diagnostic services, vocational evaluation, counseling, and job placement assistance are provided at no cost to the client.
  
  OVR recommends that one of their representatives become involved with potential clients at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year in high school. Students are required to complete a comprehensive application that is available to them through their guidance counselor or from OVR directly. Once the application is processed, an OVR counselor will contact the student and become involved with the student’s transition portion or the Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings.
  
  Monroe County:
  45 N. Fourth St.
  Allentown, PA 18102
  (800)922-9536
  
  Pike County:
  300G Laird St.
  Wilkes-Barre,PA 18702
  (800)634-2060
  
  
• Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program - The Carbon-Monroe-Pike County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program serves as the coordinating agency for drug and alcohol programming in the tri-county area. The program serves all persons who desire help for drug and alcohol problems, regardless of the degree of dependency. Prospective clients must willingly seek help. Services include individual therapy, family therapy, detoxification services, drug identification, prevention planning, and assessment of potential client risk. Operation of Alcohol Safe Driving/ARD classes and community education are also offered by this agency.

Monroe County:
742-A Phillips St.
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)420-8297

Pike County:
542 US RTE. 6 & 209
Milford, PA 187255

• Job Corps - Job Corps is a comprehensive training program administered by the United States Department of Labor. The Job Corps program is designed to prepare youth, 16 through 24 years of age of all ethnic groups for useful employment and responsibilities of citizenship and other educational opportunities. It is a residential program in session for the entire calendar year. Any youth that are out of school, unemployed, or under employed and who are able to benefit from job training are eligible. In addition to vocational training courses, corpsmembers are encouraged to earn their G.E.D. through academic preparatory classes. Also provided are driver’s education classes, dental, medical, and eye care, work experience, job placement, recreational activities, and counseling. There is no charge for the program.
  http://www.jobcorps.dol.gov
  
  
• Youth Employment Service - The Youth Employment Service provides job-related services to residents of Monroe County who are 14 to 21 years of age. The program benefits young people, who are seeking job experience and income, as well as employers who are in need of full-time, part-time, or temporary help. Their services include supportive counseling, assistance to the socially and emotionally disadvantaged, job placement and referral, vocational evaluations, and job readiness. All applicants must register with Career Link.
  www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us
  
  
• Monroe County Career Link - Monroe County Career Link is the area’s center for job seekers and employers in the community who are seeking workforce development. Services offered include registration for work, information about specific job openings, job development and placement services, testing, counseling, and state civil service information, information seminars, labor market information, on-line job searching (Career Resource Center), resume writing and a job search library.
  
  

  Address:
  Route 611 Merchants Plaza
  PO Box 789 Tannersville, PA 18372-0789
  (570)620-2850
  
  
• Pike County CareerLink- Pike County Career Link is the area's center for job seekers and employers in the community who are seeking workforce development. Services offered include registration for work, information about specific job openings, job development and placement services, testing, counseling, and state civil service information, information seminars, labor market information, on-line job searching(Career Resource Center), resume writing and a job search library. More information can be found at: www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us

Address:
837 Route 6, Unit 2
Shohola, PA 18458
(570)296-2909

• East Stroudsburg University Upward Bound Program - The East Stroudsburg University Upward Bound Program is a federally funded project designed to help high school students from low income families who have academic potential, but have had inadequate secondary school preparation and achievement. Services include tutoring, academic and career counseling, cultural enrichment activities, recreational activities, personal development activities, and financial aid. To be eligible for participation, persons must be 14-27 years of age, have completed ninth grade, be from a family whose income meets the Office of Education income requirements, have academic potential, but be unlikely to apply for admission to or be accepted by a post-secondary institution. The person must be from the tri-county area and have completed the required application forms. All Upward Bound activities are free to eligible participants.

Address:
200 Prospect St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570) 422-3211

• Crisis Pregnancy Center of the Poconos - The services provided by the Crisis Pregnancy Center of the Poconos are free pregnancy testing, counseling, and education about pregnancy. Information on living arrangements, clothing provisions, and childbirth classes is provided for clients. Guidance and instruction on parenting skills are also available.

Address:
115 N 8th St.
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)424-1113

• Planned Parenthood of Northeast Pennsylvania - (P.P.N.E.P) strives to provide men and women in the community the freedom and opportunity to seek and receive contraception, education, and quality health care. P.P.N.E.P. will not refuse services to anyone due to age, background, or lack of funds. Services include a comprehensive preventive health program, counseling about pregnancy options, sterilization, infertility, genetics, parenting, and sexuality counseling, laboratory testing, pregnancy testing, S.T.D. diagnosis and testing, genetic screening and cancer screening. Medical services are provided on a sliding scale according to income.

Address:
28 N 7th St.
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)424-8306

• The Salvation Army - The Salvation Army provides a myriad of services to the community and the general public at no charge. Persons, however, must demonstrate need for assistance. Services include individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, nutrition training, informal socialization, telephone support, parenting training, family life education, family enrichment, and aid to travelers, newcomers, migrants, immigrants, and mobile families. Other services include collection and pick up of donated items, emergency food and clothing provisions, emergency fuel provision, disaster relief, drug/alcohol abuse screening and assessment, and emergency financial assistance.

Monroe County:
226 Washington St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570)421-5711

Pike County:
(information is available through United Way)
United Way
PO Box 806, Sunshine Station at 476
Routes 6 & 209
Milford, PA 18337
(570)296-9980, or (888)306-6963

• Women's Resources of Monroe County - The mission of Women's Resources of Monroe County is to end violence, specifically in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. While Women's Resources provides services to all victims in our community including females, males, adults, teens, and children, their principal efforts are dedicated to empowering women by building awareness of legal and social rights and bringing about systemic change. The agency provides individual counseling and support groups for adult, teen, and child victims. Counseling and support services are also available for family members. For over 20 years, Women's Resources has provided continuous 24-hour hotline service in our community for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The hotline is staffed by trained volunteers and professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
  If you know someone is being hurt, call: (570)421-4200, or call toll-free at (866)421-4200

• Pike County Survivors Resources - Provides services to all victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The agency provides support services and a continuous 24-hour hotline service in the community for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
  The hotline, (570)296-4357, is staffed by trained volunteers.

Address:
500 W. Harford St.
Milford, PA 18337
(570)296-2827

• Nurse-Family Partnership - Monroe County's Nurse Partnership is a local effort connected to a national movement. Nationally the Nurse-Family Partnership is a research-based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income children and families in the context of the communities where they live. In Monroe County, The Nurse-Family Partnership is a new program that is already changing the lives of at-risk new mothers and improving future prospects for their new born babies.They have successfully graduated many clients and have expanded into Pike County. Registered nurses, with special training in prenatal and infant care as well as psycho-social development, visit mothers in their own homes. The visits begin in early pregnancy and continue until the child is two-years-old. During that critical time, close ties develop between the women in the program and their nurses. Healthy lifestyles are emphasized, parenting skills are developed and career counseling is offered. In addition, lifestyle skills such as cooking, conflict resolution, and fiscal responsibility are introduced through individual instruction and group activities.

Address:
206 East Brown St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570)421-4000

• Pike County Child Care Information Services - Provides a resource and referral service for child care as well as a low income subsidy program for child care. The agency also provides car seat checks for parents. More information can be found at: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us

Address:
837 Route 6, Unit 3
Shohola, PA 18458
(570)296-3447

• Big Brothers/ Big Sisters - is a youth mentoring organization. This organization has been providing one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

Monroe County:
827 Monroe St.
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
http://www.bbbswb.org
(570)824-8756
(570)822-7118

Pike County:
(information is available through United Way)
United Way
PO Box 806, Sunshine Station at 476
Routes 6 & 209
Milford, PA 18337
(570)296-9980

• United States Armed Forces - The Guidance Department works cooperatively with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines Corp., and the U.S. Coast Guard to explore the possibilities of a career in the military for interested and qualified students. Representatives are given the opportunity to speak with students during the school year. Students are permitted to visit a display or exhibit area of the various branches during study halls or lunch periods. A presentation is provided to describe the Reserve Officer’s Training Program (R.O.T.C.) offered by the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Information on the Armed Forces is also available in the high schools’ career rooms. College bound students are given this information to help them determine if R.O.T.C. is the right choice for them.
  
  
• Both high schools offer juniors and seniors the option of taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (A.S.V.A.B). The test is given free and is arranged on a day mutually agreed upon by the school and the military personnel who administer it. The A.S.V.S.B. indicates areas of vocational training with the military services in which newly-assigned, enlisted personnel are most likely to perform well. The test is also very useful in career counseling for those jobs where similar civilian and military skills and training are required.

Further information can be acquired by contacting the following:

U.S. Air Force
Recruiting Office
201 N. 9th Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)421-5723
www.airforce.com

U.S. Army
Recruiting Station
201 N. 9th Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)421-1058
www.go.army.com

U.S. Army
Recruiting Station
HC 6, Box 6102
Remax Welcome Center
Hawley, PA 18428
(570)226-4983
www.go.army.com

U.S. Marines
201 N. 9th Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)424-0810
www.marines.com

U.S. Navy
Recruiting Station
201 N. 9th Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)421-7825
www.navy.com

U.S. Coast Gaurd - 1-(800)424-8883
www.gocoastgaurd.com

• The Pennsylvania Army National Guard - The Pennsylvania Army National Guard, when not on federal duty, is under the control of the Governor. The mission of the Army National Guard is to help protect life and property, and to preserve peace, order, and the public safety of the Commonwealth. The representatives from the Army National Guard are given the opportunity to speak with students during the school year. Further information can be obtained by contacting:

Pennsylvania Army National Guard
271 Washington Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-424-3035 or Recruiter - 570-424-3739

System Support

The system support component is utilized for the purpose of involving a variety of other support services within the school system to meet the needs of the entire school system, including students, faculty, and school programs. This component includes several different services that involve counselors, school staff and administration, parents, and community resources. System support functions in support of the other three components and is implemented through such activities as research and development, staff/community public relations, professional development, committee/ advisory boards, community outreach, and program management and operations.

System Support Personnel

Role of Administration:
1. Provides a guidance staff which is adequate in numbers to effectively discharge the responsibilities of the guidance program
2. Provides funds which are necessary to procure necessary supplies and materials
3. Provides adequate facilities for those persons who serve the guidance department
4. Creates a climate in which the counseling staff feels the emotional support to carry out its function, especially in stress sensitive situations
5. Provides for the development of an educational program in which students may work according to their abilities and encounter appropriate and satisfying learning experiences
6. Makes student and parent referrals to the guidance staff where appropriate
7. Works with the guidance department to develop and implement guidance policies which are in harmony with the philosophy of the school and sound guidance principles
8. Makes available time and resources for the continued professional growth and development of the guidance staff
9. Provides for continual evaluation and supervision of the guidance program

Role of the Classroom Teacher:
1. Systematically appraise students in their classes with regard to academic achievement and ability, and make recommendations about specific courses as well as educational programs
2. Refer students to the guidance office. Observe behavioral changes, strong affective responses, and unusual stress in students.
3. Assist counselors, parents, nurses, and administrators in communicating effectively and efficiently with students and parents
4. Serve as members of the educational team for students when placement, program, special services, special education, and/or academic performance issues arise
5. Access student records to enhance the educational program they provide to students on an individual basis
6. Actively participate in orientation activities for new students to the school
7. Provide students with opportunities to explore vocational and educational opportunities
8. Assist school counselors in developing interventions for students with the information they provide regarding the student’s academic performance, social behavior, and emotional reactivity
9. Encourage students and parents to use available guidance services when appropriate

Role of the School Nurse:
1. Determine the degree to which physical ailments contribute to behavioral changes, affective responses, and stress in students and make referrals to guidance where appropriate
2. Assist school counselors, parents, classroom teachers, and administrators in communicating effectively and efficiently with students and parents
3. Serve as members of the educational team for students when placement, program, special services, special education, and/or academic performance issues arise
4. Encourage students and parents to use available guidance services when appropriate
5. Assist school counselors in developing interventions for students with the information they provide regarding the student’s health, well-being, social behavior, and emotional reactivity

Role of the Truant Officer:
1. Conduct at-home visitations with parents of students who are absent excessively from school and refer such students to the guidance and administrative offices for support
2. Assist school counselors, classroom teachers, school nurses, and administrators in communicating effectively and efficiently with students and parents
3. Provides information to the educational team who then make informed decisions about interventions, placement, program, related services, and special education
4. Provide documentation of parental efforts to help student maintain appropriate school attendance and provide information to county agencies involved in promoting the welfare of students

Role of the Security Officer:
1. Observe behavioral changes, strong affective responses, and unusual stress in students and make referrals to the guidance office
2. Assist school counselors, classroom teachers, nurses, and administrators in communication effectively and efficiently with students and parents
3. Provide information to the educational team who make informed decisions about interventions, placement, program, related services, and special education

Role of a School Resource Officer Program:
1. The School Resource Officer is a placement of a Law Enforcement Officer within the educational environment on several different levels. The philosophy of the School Resource Officer Program adheres to the role of teacher, counselor and Law Enforcement Officer. The SRO becomes a liaison between police and the community. The SRO bridges the gap between Police Officer and young people and increases positive attitudes toward law enforcement.
2. Through the proactive policing methods which include prevention through involvement, posters and announcements, crime watch, hotlines, school clubs and being a positive role model and School Resource Officer not only broadens the effect on the school but also the community. The goal for the SRO is to become knowledgeable in a variety of Community, Government and social services at federal, state and local levels.
3. The role of the Resource Officer helps the school district provide law-related education to students, parents and staff. The SRO works closely with the school's counseling staff, social workers, psychologists and school nurses. The SRO connects school, Community and Law Enforcement. The School Resource Officer should be considered part of the investigative unit. The SRO, through building a bond with students and Community, is an excellent source of intelligence.
4. The SRO should be based out of the school. The SRO should be equipped with an office on school grounds. The School Resource Officer works in conjunction with the Administration.

System Support Programs

A. Student Assistance Program

1. The Student Assistance Program is a systematic process that utilizes school resources to remove the barriers to learning where the problem is beyond the scope of the school, to assist the parent and the student in obtaining information so they may access services within the community. The program is designed for the identification, referral, and intervention of students who are experiencing personal crisis or who are believed to be involved in high-risk behaviors such as drug/alcohol use, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and/or other issues which pose a barrier to a student’s learning and school success.
2. The Student Assistance Team involves a group of school staff members who are specifically trained to assist at-risk students. The team includes representation from administration, teachers, counselors, nurses, and outside agencies. In addition to identifying students for help, the team may provide in-school support groups such as chemical awareness, self esteem, anger, grief, and after-care for students returning from rehabilitation facilities.
3. The steps involved in the SAP process include a referral to the Student Assistance Team. The team collects data on observable behaviors from teachers and school staff. The team reviews the data and makes a decision on how to proceed. The parent is notified and invited to be involved. Members of the SAP team meet with the student and the parents, if needed, to outline appropriate strategies and make recommendations to help the student be successful. The SAP team monitors the student’s progress.

• The Student Assistance Program is called SAFE (Student Assistance for Eastburg) at the high school level
  
  
• At the intermediate level the program involves two teams. The ISAP I team serves students in the 7th and 8th grades and the ISAP II provides services for 6th grade.

B. Child Study Team

The Child Study Team is comprised of administrators, guidance counselors and special education advisors. The purpose of the team is to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all young children with disabilities for the purpose of intervention and accommodation. This is part of the Child Find System, which is required by the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Students can be referred by Child Study Team participants including other faculty and staff. Information such as academic achievement, attendance, discipline, behaviors, etc., is gathered on each student referred. This process facilitates an informed decision by the team whether or not to request a Permission to Evaluate to determine the student's potential need for special education services. The student's information is reviewed by the school psychologist and the reason for the evaluation are discussed with the parents or guardians before the evaluation occurs. The Child Find System was designed to provide early intervention to younger children but has been adopted by secondary education in hopes of identifying all students in need of additional assistance.