Welcome!
Jessica Woody
Elementary Counselor 417-546-6381 |
Ashley White
K-12 Counselor 417-546-6381 |
What does an Elementary School Counselor do?
Elementary School Counselors provide young learners with effective and developmentally appropriate tools for communicating, making decisions and developing friendships and coping skills. Counselors provide services through Guidance Lessons, Responsive Services, System Support, and Individual Planning at the elementary level.
The American School Counselors Association (ASCA) explains it this way, “Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement.” |
At Forsyth Elementary we strive to incorporate the goals of the ASCA (American School Counselors Association) National Model and deliver comprehensive, development, and systematic program services for our children. As an elementary school counselor, my time is spent collaborating with teachers and staff, teaching classroom lessons, facilitating short-term small group counseling and providing immediate short-term counseling when needed. In addition, I consult with parents, on a regular basis, to incorporate curriculum development and provide referrals for community resources..
|
Responsive Services
|
|
Trauma-Informed Parent Resources
Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative Publication
Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638, Section 161.1050, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established the “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.”
For the purposes of this initiative, the following terms are defined as follows:
DESE recommends The Missouri Model as the developmental framework for the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.
The implementation of a trauma-informed approach is an ongoing organizational change process. A “trauma-informed approach” is not a program model that can be implemented and then simply monitored by a fidelity checklist. Rather, it is a profound paradigm shift in knowledge, perspective, attitudes and skills that continues to deepen and unfold over time. Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk about a “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. The continuum begins with becoming trauma aware and moves to trauma sensitive to responsive to being fully trauma informed.
The Missouri Model: A Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed:
http://dmh.mo.gov/trauma/MO%20Model%20Working%20Document%20february%202015.pdf
An Introduction to Trauma (Professional Training):
“Research has revealed that the prevalence of trauma is high particularly in specific target populations. This webinar will introduce viewers to the definition and prevalence of trauma, as well as examining the social, biological and health impact.”
http://www.mimhtraining.com/introduction-to-trauma/
University of Missouri St. Louis / Missouri Institute of Mental Health
Trauma-Informed Website Link
https://dese.mo.gov/traumainformed
Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638, Section 161.1050, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established the “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.”
For the purposes of this initiative, the following terms are defined as follows:
- “Trauma-informed approach” -an approach that involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress across the lifespan
- “Trauma-informed school” -a school that:
a. realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery
b. recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in students, teachers and staff
c. responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into its policies, procedures and practices; and
d. seeks to actively resist re-traumatization
DESE recommends The Missouri Model as the developmental framework for the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.
The implementation of a trauma-informed approach is an ongoing organizational change process. A “trauma-informed approach” is not a program model that can be implemented and then simply monitored by a fidelity checklist. Rather, it is a profound paradigm shift in knowledge, perspective, attitudes and skills that continues to deepen and unfold over time. Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk about a “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. The continuum begins with becoming trauma aware and moves to trauma sensitive to responsive to being fully trauma informed.
The Missouri Model: A Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed:
http://dmh.mo.gov/trauma/MO%20Model%20Working%20Document%20february%202015.pdf
An Introduction to Trauma (Professional Training):
“Research has revealed that the prevalence of trauma is high particularly in specific target populations. This webinar will introduce viewers to the definition and prevalence of trauma, as well as examining the social, biological and health impact.”
http://www.mimhtraining.com/introduction-to-trauma/
University of Missouri St. Louis / Missouri Institute of Mental Health
Trauma-Informed Website Link
https://dese.mo.gov/traumainformed
