This department, operating in conjunction with the local Boards of Education, serves approximately six Houston County schools, three Peach County Schools, and three Crawford County schools, with an intensive focus on the alternative schools.

Support Counseling is a prevention based program designed to provide support services to students who have been identified by school personnel or parents as being “at risk” for substance abuse or other self destructive behaviors. Concentrating on middle and high school students, our primary goal is to help young people and their families develop the skills necessary to deal with adolescent issues and concerns. Upon meeting with the student and/or family member(s) to determine specific needs, referrals may be made to other community agencies or programs. All contacts are strictly confidential and do not become part of the school record. Involvement is voluntary and parents are notified following the first visit. If extended services are desired, parental permission is obtained. In addition, student and/or family progress is monitored through the use of evaluation instruments. Scores are compared from the beginning to the end of services to evaluate student improvement and the effectiveness of the program.

 

Support Services for Students and Families

• Individual support counseling sessions are offered to students during or after school. The content of these sessions remains confidential unless the student give the counselor reason to believe he/she will harm him/herself or someone else, and/or the counselor suspects abuse or involvement in illegal activity.
• Family support counseling is available to families who desire to enhance family communication, boundaries, and parenting skills.
• Student support groups are designed to provide students with a safe and confidential environment in which they can share thoughts and feelings openly. The following are common support groups that are provided:
  1. • Insight Groups offer information about ATOD issues and their effects on behavior. The group is designed as an educational experience and gives support to the student to examine decisions about using alcohol and other drugs.
     • Recovery/Aftercare groups are made available to students who have made a commitment to be alcohol and other drug free. Many of these students have experienced some form of treatment; outpatient, inpatient, private counseling, etc., and are currently committed to abstinence.
     • Sharing groups are directed at helping students deal with the situations and circumstances that affect their school performance and/or quality of life. Specific issues such as grief and loss, relationships, divorce, and anger management will be the focus for group meetings.

 

To learn more about Prevention Counseling, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at (478) 953-5675