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Continuity of Services

CCPS recognizes the impact the pandemic has had on students’ academic needs and the social, emotional, mental health and basic needs of students and staff. To address these needs, CCPS will provide the following supports:

BASE Education (Behavioral Alternatives to Suspension Education): Secondary Curriculum

BASE Education is an online social-emotional program that addresses mental health of students. It covers 50 different topics that include suicide prevention, digital citizenship, anger management, talking to peers, self-esteem, exploitation and substance abuse. More than 100 interactive modules can be assigned to students who may need individual support. Administrators are provided up-to-the minute access to student responses and “firewords” are triggered if a student writes something that indicates harmful or suicidal thoughts. The program meets the standards and core competencies of MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems and Supports), PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) and CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning). The program was piloted in six secondary schools during the 2019-20 school year.

Move This World: Elementary Curriculum

Move This World is a social emotional learning program developed to encourage, enhance and build safe and supportive learning environments. The curriculum is delivered through evidence-based, developmentally appropriate videos used daily to open and close instructional time. Move This World lessons lead to deeper self-awareness, stronger relationships, effective communication and a culture of safety and support. It was developed with educators in alignment with CASEL. All CCPS elementary schools implemented Move This World in the 2020-21 school year.

Trauma- Informed Schools Training for Administration, Staff, Students and Parents

A team of CCPS psychologists developed trauma-informed schools training for school administrators and school staff. The training includes self-evaluation, identification of others and resource information for all levels.

Safe at School Mandatory Mental Health Training for ALL staff

A Student Mental Health course was added to training modules for all staff. This course covers identification, triggers and supports for staff and students who are experiencing trauma.

School Counseling

School counselors deliver each month a social emotional competency to help students develop skills to understand and manage their emotions, feel and show empathy for others, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Focusing each month on a social emotional skill will help support and increase students’ ability to manage stress and depression, and have better attitudes about themselves, others and school.

  • September – (Self Awareness): The ability to recognize one's emotions and thought – Trauma Awareness. 
  • October – (Self-Management): The ability to regulate one's emotions and behavior – Stress Management.
  • November – (Social Awareness): The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others – Diversity Awareness.
  •  December – (Relationship Management): The ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships – Conflict Resolution and Mental Health Awareness.
  • January –  (College Awareness).
  • February – (Career Awareness).
  • March – (Responsible Decision Making): The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behaviors.
  •  April –  Testing Support.
  • May – Elementary to middle and middle to high school transition to graduation. 

ASPIRE Program/Behavior Support Program

Kindergarten-second grade students requiring behavioral supports can be referred to a central office team to help them develop more effective coping tools in school. Consultation with teachers also is a key component of the Behavior Support Program. If a student proves unsuccessful with this level of support, a referral to the ASPIRE program may take place. ASPIRE classrooms are regionalized programs at four elementary schools for regular education kindergarten-second grade students requiring intensive levels of behavioral support. Students are only admitted into this program with parent permission.

More Social Emotional and Mental Health Supports:

  • Counseling sessions.
  • Risk and threat assessments.
  • Third-party contractor to provide virtual counseling supports.
  • Bark for Schools: An internet safety program that monitors Office 365 accounts of students for signs of digital dangers including cyberbullying, threats of violence, suicidal ideation, online predators and more.
  • ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) training for staff.
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) staff training for school teams.
  • Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) visits and calls with McKinney-Vento families.
  •  Attendance meetings.
  • Restorative practices – implementation in all schools and training continues for all staff.
  • PBIS – implemented in all schools.
  • Charles County Association of Student Councils (CCASC) Mental Health Advisory Council is a mental health group of students and Student Services staff that meets quarterly to discuss concerns and brainstorm solutions.
  • Mental Health First Aid classes are optional for all staff.Handle With Care – Governor’s initiative to support students who experience trauma.
  • Regular communication: school staff calls, emails, virtual meetings, automated phone calls, updated resource information on website.
  • See Something, Say Something portal on CCPS website.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports

CCPS is committed to identifying academically struggling students early and intervening quickly. Through a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), school staff can support academic growth in addition to behavior, social and emotional needs, and school attendance. Each school has a designated team of adults trained to address these types of student needs and develop plans to give targeted support to students.