Mental Health - Charles County Public Schools

Hazel Health, an online telemental health service available free to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) middle and high school students, will soon be offered to elementary school students. Hazel Health therapists are currently serving more than 100 middle and high school students.

CCPS partners with Hazel Health to offer short-term telemental health services to students

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is partnering with Hazel Health to offer short-term telemental health services for students in sixth through 12^th grade. The service is free and offered to all students regardless of insurance and/or immigration status, or a family’s ability to pay.

2023 Behavioral Health Conference workshop session information and resources

Charles County Public Schools Behavioral Health Conference

The Behavioral Health Conference was held on Thursday, March 9 at Thomas Stone High School.

Workshop Session Information and Resources

Session 1
Session 2

Session 1

Audience	Title	Presenter
Parent (Spanish)	Cyberbullying Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of cyberbullying distress, tips on cyber safety, parental prevention and intervention, and how to protect your social-emotional wellbeing while using social media.	Kim Wolf, Business Development Executive Veronica Renderos, LMSW Therapist Youme Healthcare Presentation
Student	Teen Dating Violence Prevention Participants will learn how to protect themselves from teen dating violence.	Kristiana Poole, NACP Advanced Level Victim Advocate and Educator, Family Advocacy Program at Fleet and Family Services, Dahlgren Navy Base VA Presentation Resources
All	Healthy 4 Life Participants will learn concepts needed to adopt and , maintain a healthier lifestyle as it relates to nutrition, fitness, and behavioral changes.	John & Tammy Wright Zumba, Strong Nation, Master Personal Trainers, Founder/Owners ABC Fitness Connection, LLC My Plate (English) My Plate (Spanish)
Parent	What the +?: Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ+ Identities Participants will learn important LGBTQ+ terms, what it means to be an ally and how to create a safe space at home.	Kaitlin Fraer & Paul Quade PFLAG Leonardtown Southern Maryland Presentation 10 things you can do to be an ally Empathy and awareness activities
ALL	Depression Participants will learn about the symptoms of depression and ways to manage it.	Karyn Black, LCPC Director Charles County Local Behavioral Health Authority
ALL	Navigating the ""New Norm"" (Post Pandemic): Moving beyond Surviving to Thriving The purpose of this workshop is to provide parents and families with tools for total wellness post pandemic.	Olivia Coffey, M.Ed. & HD, NCC Founder Youth EmpowerMe Foundation, Inc Presentation
ALL	Anxiety: How Caregivers and Schools Can Help Participants will learn about the common anxiety myths, recent anxiety statistics anxiety, the definition of anxiety, causes of anxiety, and how parents, schools, and the community can help.	Deidra A. Sorrell, Ed.D., LPC School Psychologist Charles County Public Schools Presentation Eleven Tips for Coping with Anxiety General Anxiety Disorder Screener
Student	The Silent Killer: Bullying The objective of the presentation is to have the participants view all angles of bullying from the victim, the bully, and the bystanders.	Rochelle A. Smallwood, MA Therapist Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, Inc. Presentation YouTube video- It only takes one
Parent	CCPS SEL and Mental Health Supports Participants will learn about the various social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health supports CCPS provide to students.	Jacqueline Cheaves, NCC Supervising School Counselor Charles County Public Schools Presentation
All	Gardening and Wellness? Tell me More! The workshop will explain the benefits of gardening and provide easy ways to begin.	Diane Fisher, MS Retired CCPS Science Teacher & Youth and Community Programs Advisor Steam Onward Presentation Steam Onward
Parent	How to support your child through effective Parent/Child Communication The workshop will include discussion of tips for healthy communications skills/reminders to implement and how to achieve desired outcomes as a result of healthy communication.	James McDaniel, LMSW Assistant Clinical Director Serenity Place LLC Brochure Skills Handout The Importance of Validation
Parent	Adult and Family Connections Working to Strengthen Social Emotional Wellbeing Learn how can you support your student’s social and emotional wellness at home and uuild connections between school and the home in order to understand Social Emotional Learning. Deepen your understanding of the MTW program.	Kelli Ridgeway Facilitator & Program Manager Move This World (MTW) Presentation
ALL	Mental Health in Action to Relieve Stress And Create Success! This retreat style presentation is informative, fun and teaches practical behavioral strategies to relieve anxiety, manage stress and while learning with vision and purpose.	Michelle Gordon Director OmmWorks, LLC Presentation
ALL	H.O.P.E. Trailer H.O.P. E: Heroin, Overdose, Prevention & Education. The Trailer is set up as a mock teenage bedroom for families to walk through and look at possible warning signs of drug abuse or use.	Master Corporal Charles Caldwell #424 Charles County Sheriff's Office

Audience

Title

Presenter

Parent (Spanish)

Cyberbullying

Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of cyberbullying distress, tips on cyber safety, parental prevention and intervention, and how to protect your social-emotional wellbeing while using social media.

Kim Wolf, Business Development Executive

Veronica Renderos, LMSW Therapist Youme Healthcare

Presentation

Student

Teen Dating Violence Prevention

Participants will learn how to protect themselves from teen dating violence.

Kristiana Poole, NACP Advanced Level Victim Advocate and Educator, Family Advocacy Program at Fleet and Family Services, Dahlgren Navy Base VA

Presentation

Resources

All

Healthy 4 Life

Participants will learn concepts needed to adopt and , maintain a healthier lifestyle as it relates to nutrition, fitness, and behavioral changes.

John & Tammy Wright
Zumba, Strong Nation, Master Personal Trainers, Founder/Owners ABC Fitness Connection, LLC

My Plate (English)

My Plate (Spanish)

Parent

What the +?: Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ+ Identities

Participants will learn important LGBTQ+ terms, what it means to be an ally and how to create a safe space at home.

Kaitlin Fraer & Paul Quade
PFLAG Leonardtown Southern Maryland

Presentation

10 things you can do to be an ally

Empathy and awareness activities

ALL

Depression

Participants will learn about the symptoms of depression and ways to manage it.

Karyn Black, LCPC
Director Charles County Local Behavioral Health Authority

ALL

Navigating the ""New Norm"" (Post Pandemic): Moving beyond Surviving to Thriving

The purpose of this workshop is to provide parents and families with tools for total wellness post pandemic.

Olivia Coffey, M.Ed. & HD, NCC
Founder Youth EmpowerMe Foundation, Inc

Presentation

ALL

Anxiety: How Caregivers and Schools Can Help

Participants will learn about the common anxiety myths, recent anxiety statistics anxiety, the definition of anxiety, causes of anxiety, and how parents, schools, and the community can help.

Deidra A. Sorrell, Ed.D., LPC
School Psychologist
Charles County Public Schools

Presentation

Eleven Tips for Coping with Anxiety

General Anxiety Disorder Screener

Student

The Silent Killer: Bullying

The objective of the presentation is to have the participants view all angles of bullying from the victim, the bully, and the bystanders.

Rochelle A. Smallwood, MA
Therapist
Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, Inc.

Presentation

YouTube video- It only takes one

Parent

CCPS SEL and Mental Health Supports

Participants will learn about the various social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health supports CCPS provide to students.

Jacqueline Cheaves, NCC
Supervising School Counselor
Charles County Public Schools

Presentation

All

Gardening and Wellness? Tell me More!

The workshop will explain the benefits of gardening and provide easy ways to begin.

Diane Fisher, MS
Retired CCPS Science Teacher & Youth and Community Programs Advisor
Steam Onward

Presentation

Steam Onward

Parent

How to support your child through effective Parent/Child Communication

The workshop will include discussion of tips for healthy communications skills/reminders to implement and how to achieve desired outcomes as a result of healthy communication.

James McDaniel, LMSW
Assistant Clinical Director Serenity Place LLC

Brochure

Skills Handout

The Importance of Validation

Parent

Adult and Family Connections Working to Strengthen Social Emotional Wellbeing

Learn how can you support your student’s social and emotional wellness at home and uuild connections between school and the home in order to understand Social Emotional Learning. Deepen your understanding of the MTW program.

Kelli Ridgeway
Facilitator & Program Manager Move This World (MTW)

Presentation

ALL

Mental Health in Action to Relieve Stress And Create Success!

This retreat style presentation is informative, fun and teaches practical behavioral strategies to relieve anxiety, manage stress and while learning with vision and purpose.

Michelle Gordon
Director OmmWorks, LLC

Presentation

ALL

H.O.P.E. Trailer

H.O.P. E: Heroin, Overdose, Prevention & Education. The Trailer is set up as a mock teenage bedroom for families to walk through and look at possible warning signs of drug abuse or use.

Master Corporal Charles Caldwell #424
Charles County Sheriff's Office

Session 2

Audience	Title	Presenter
Parent (English)	CyberbullyinG Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of cyberbullying distress, tips on cyber safety, parental prevention and intervention, and how to protect your social-emotional wellbeing while using social media.	Kim Wolf Business Development Executive Tiffany Casey,LCSW-C Therapist Youme Healthcare Presentation
Parent	Teen Dating Violence Prevention Participants will learn how to protect their children from teen dating violence.	Kristiana Poole, NACP Advanced Level Victim Advocate and Educator, Family Advocacy Program at Fleet and Family Services, Dahlgren Navy Base VA Presentation Resources on Teen Dating College Power and Control Wheel Power and Control Wheel 15 Apps Parent Should Know
Student	Dangers Of Vaping, E-Cigarettes, and Tobacco Use Students will learn about the dangers of cigarettes, vaping, juuling, and e-cigarettes.	John & Tammy Wright Zumba, Strong Nation, Master Personal Trainers, Founder/Owners ABC Fitness Connection, LLC
Student	Identify Your Allies: LGBTQ+ Student Groups and More Participants will learn important LGBTQ+ terms, what it means to be an ally and how to create a safe space at home.	Kaitlin Fraer and Paul Quade PFLAG Leonardtown Southern Maryland Presentation 10 things you can do to be an ally Empathy and awareness activities
Parent	What is a Local Care Team? Participants will gain knowledge about the Charles County Local Care Team(LCT): members of the LCT team, how to make a referral, the format of the meeting, reasons to refer, and programs offered.	Fredina James, M.Ed. Local Care Team Convener Charles County Advocacy Council for Children, Youth and Families Presentation
Parent (Spanish)	The Joys and Challenges of Reunification Participants will learn how to manage adjustment issues, obtain mental health services for children, adapt to a new school and environment, logistical difficulties, and the lack of clarity about how to get help.	Jenny Herrera, Bilingual Family and Community Outreach Facilitator Pilar Lepe, International Registration Coordinator Charles County Public Schools
Parent	Navigating and Utilizing Student Support Teams (SST) Within Your Child’s School Participants will learn about the many challenges children face that may benefit from a referral to the Student Support Team (SST); how to access SST supports; examples of SST supports; and additional resources.	Andrill Harris, MSW, Community School Coordinator Maria Ayers, MA, School Counselor Donna Robinson, MA, Pupil Personnel Worker Nikkia Williams-DeLeon, M.A., CAS, NCSP School Psychologist Charles County Public Schools Presentation
Parent	Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports at Home The goal of this workshop is to understand the philosophy of positive behavioral intervention and supports and how to implement these strategies at home with adolescents. Participants will learn about adolescent brain development, basic behavioral functions, de-escalation, redirection, and prevention within a behavioral health framework applied to the family setting.	Michael Muempfer, M.Ed. Director Maryland School Mental Health Response Program, Maryland State Department of Education Presentation
ALL	How To Alleviate Stress and Anxiety with Proper Time Management and Organization The workshop will provide practical tips, techniques and strategies for getting organized and taking control of usage of time (i.e., Executive Functioning skills).	Dr. D. Tamantha Golden, MPA, MEd, NCC Professional School Counselor, Charles County Public Schools Procrastination and organization Six kinds of procrastinators Deep Breathing Tips
ALL	Teen Substance Abuse: What You Need to Know The workshop will provide psychoeducation elements to teenagers and parents on the signs, symptoms and risks of substance use. The discussion will include the following: review of updated statistics on substance use among youth, themes and reasons why youth use substances, common signs & symptoms of substance use, potential risk factors to use, conversation starters & positive parenting tips, recommended treatment options and resources.	Kristi Burns, MS,LCPC-S, LCADC-S Substance Use Coordinator/Therapist Center for Children Presentation
ALL	The Motivation and Goals of Negative Behaviors in Students The workshop will provide a clear understanding of the goals of negative behaviors and the motivation behind them. Students and parents will obtain tools and resources to help decrease negative behaviors and turn them into positive ones.	Lana C. Collier, M. Ed. Professional School Counselor/Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Charles County Public Schools Presentation
Parent	BASE Education Participants will increase communication, connection and dialogue with their child/ren using BASE Education and have the opportunity to complete a parent BASE Education module. Discussion will include why the focus on SEL/Mental Health, what is BASE Education, and the identification of talking points with your teen.	Kathy Hakes-Fastner Exceptional Services Consultant 7 Mindsets / BASE Education PowerPoint Presentation(for Notes) Presentation (PDF)
ALL	Mental Health in Action To Relieve Stress and Create Success! This retreat style presentation is informative, fun and teaches practical behavioral strategies to relieve anxiety, manage stress and while learning with vision and purpose. Prepare to move and meditate with positive messages and connect to yourself.	Michelle Gordon Director OmmWorks, LLC
ALL	H.O.P.E. Trailer H.O.P. E: Heroin, Overdose, Prevention & Education. The Trailer is set up as a mock teenage bedroom for families to walk through and look at possible warning signs of drug abuse or use.	Master Corporal Charles Caldwell #424 Charles County Sheriffs Office

Audience

Title

Presenter

Parent (English)

CyberbullyinG

Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of cyberbullying distress, tips on cyber safety, parental prevention and intervention, and how to protect your social-emotional wellbeing while using social media.

Kim Wolf
Business Development Executive

Tiffany Casey,LCSW-C Therapist Youme Healthcare

Presentation

Parent

Teen Dating Violence Prevention

Participants will learn how to protect their children from teen dating violence.

Kristiana Poole, NACP Advanced Level Victim Advocate and Educator, Family Advocacy Program at Fleet and Family Services, Dahlgren Navy Base VA

Presentation

Resources on Teen Dating

College Power and Control Wheel

Power and Control Wheel

15 Apps Parent Should Know

Student

Dangers Of Vaping, E-Cigarettes, and Tobacco Use

Students will learn about the dangers of cigarettes, vaping, juuling, and e-cigarettes.

John & Tammy Wright
Zumba, Strong Nation, Master Personal Trainers, Founder/Owners ABC Fitness Connection, LLC

Student

Identify Your Allies: LGBTQ+ Student Groups and More

Participants will learn important LGBTQ+ terms, what it means to be an ally and how to create a safe space at home.

Kaitlin Fraer and Paul Quade
PFLAG Leonardtown Southern Maryland

Presentation

10 things you can do to be an ally

Empathy and awareness activities

Parent

What is a Local Care Team?

Participants will gain knowledge about the Charles County Local Care Team(LCT): members of the LCT team, how to make a referral, the format of the meeting, reasons to refer, and programs offered.

Fredina James, M.Ed.
Local Care Team Convener
Charles County Advocacy Council for Children, Youth and Families

Presentation

Parent (Spanish)

The Joys and Challenges of Reunification

Participants will learn how to manage adjustment issues, obtain mental health services for children, adapt to a new school and environment, logistical difficulties, and the lack of clarity about how to get help.

Jenny Herrera, Bilingual Family and Community Outreach Facilitator

Pilar Lepe, International Registration Coordinator Charles County Public Schools

Parent

Navigating and Utilizing Student Support Teams (SST) Within Your Child’s School

Participants will learn about the many challenges children face that may benefit from a referral to the Student Support Team (SST); how to access SST supports; examples of SST supports; and additional resources.

Andrill Harris, MSW, Community School Coordinator

Maria Ayers, MA, School Counselor

Donna Robinson, MA, Pupil Personnel Worker

Nikkia Williams-DeLeon, M.A., CAS, NCSP
School Psychologist Charles County Public Schools

Presentation

Parent

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports at Home

The goal of this workshop is to understand the philosophy of positive behavioral intervention and supports and how to implement these strategies at home with adolescents. Participants will learn about adolescent brain development, basic behavioral functions, de-escalation, redirection, and prevention within a behavioral health framework applied to the family setting.

Michael Muempfer, M.Ed.
Director Maryland School Mental Health Response Program, Maryland State Department of Education

Presentation

ALL

How To Alleviate Stress and Anxiety with Proper Time Management and Organization

The workshop will provide practical tips, techniques and strategies for getting organized and taking control of usage of time (i.e., Executive Functioning skills).

Dr. D. Tamantha Golden, MPA, MEd, NCC
Professional School Counselor, Charles County Public Schools

Procrastination and organization

Six kinds of procrastinators

Deep Breathing Tips

ALL

Teen Substance Abuse: What You Need to Know

The workshop will provide psychoeducation elements to teenagers and parents on the signs, symptoms and risks of substance use. The discussion will include the following: review of updated statistics on substance use among youth, themes and reasons why youth use substances, common signs & symptoms of substance use, potential risk factors to use, conversation starters & positive parenting tips, recommended treatment options and resources.

Kristi Burns, MS,LCPC-S, LCADC-S
Substance Use Coordinator/Therapist
Center for Children

Presentation

ALL

The Motivation and Goals of Negative Behaviors in Students

The workshop will provide a clear understanding of the goals of negative behaviors and the motivation behind them. Students and parents will obtain tools and resources to help decrease negative behaviors and turn them into positive ones.

Lana C. Collier, M. Ed.
Professional School Counselor/Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Charles County Public Schools

Presentation

Parent

BASE Education

Participants will increase communication, connection and dialogue with their child/ren using BASE Education and have the opportunity to complete a parent BASE Education module. Discussion will include why the focus on SEL/Mental Health, what is BASE Education, and the identification of talking points with your teen.

Kathy Hakes-Fastner
Exceptional Services Consultant
7 Mindsets / BASE Education

PowerPoint Presentation(for Notes)

Presentation (PDF)

ALL

Mental Health in Action To Relieve Stress and Create Success!

This retreat style presentation is informative, fun and teaches practical behavioral strategies to relieve anxiety, manage stress and while learning with vision and purpose. Prepare to move and meditate with positive messages and connect to yourself.

Michelle Gordon
Director OmmWorks, LLC

ALL

H.O.P.E. Trailer

H.O.P. E: Heroin, Overdose, Prevention & Education. The Trailer is set up as a mock teenage bedroom for families to walk through and look at possible warning signs of drug abuse or use.

Master Corporal Charles Caldwell #424
Charles County Sheriffs Office

Staff Resources by School

COVID-19 Resources

Topic/Audience	Description	Resource Type	Host Organization	Link
Mental Health / General Public, Health Care Providers	Compiled tips from the Mental Health First Aid curriculum to help you care for your own and your loved ones’ mental health.	Fact Sheet	National Council for Behavioral Health	How to #BeTheDifference For People With Mental Health Concerns During COVID-19
Mental Health Self Care / General Public	Website with a variety of resources for families, children, and older adults.	Fact Sheet Website	Mental Health Association of Maryland	Coronavirus: Protecting Your Wellbeing
Mental Health / General Public	A webpage dedicated to providing guidance for taking care of mental health during COVID-19, with advice from professionals, fact sheets and social media outreach ideas.	Fact Sheet Website	American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)	Mental Health & COVID-19
Mental Health / General Public, Individuals that have a Mental Illness	Resources and information to deal with mental illness during COVID-19.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	National Alliance on Mental Illness	COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Mental Health / General Public	A toolkit for Mental Health Awareness Month with fact sheets and social media posts focused on caring for your mental health.	Fact Sheet Social Media	Mental Health America	Mental Health Awareness Month: Tools to Thrive
Anxiety Mental Health / General Public, Clinicians	A compilation of resources related to handling anxiety and depression during COVID-19. Resources are specified for specific mental health conditions, and divided for general public, clinicians, parents and families.	Blog(s) Fact Sheet Video(s)	Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)	Managing COVID-19 Anxiety
Anxiety / General Public	Videos discussing how to manage anxiety and mental health during COVID-19.	Video(s)	Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)	ADAA Got Anxiety
Self Care / General Public	Strategies for personal wellness	Fact Sheet	Northeast & Caribbean MHTTC	Taking Care of Your Mental Health During a Public Health Emergency
Suicide Prevention / Public Messengers	Guidance on how to responsibly and appropriately reports suicides.	Guidance	International Association of Suicide Prevention	Reporting on Suicide During COVID-19
Suicide Prevention / General public	Strategies to deal with thoughts of suicide and resources.	Fact Sheet	Maryland Department of Health	Managing Thoughts of Suicide During COVID-19
Disability / People with Disabilities	Compilation of Guidance and fact sheets for people with disabilities in Maryland during COVID-19.	FAQs Fact Sheet	Maryland Department of Disabilities	COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
Substance Use / Behavioral Health Providers, Individuals in Recovery	Comprehensive resource guide for recovery services in Maryland and Nationally during COVID-19 pandemic.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	Maryland Behavioral Health Administration	Recovery and Wellness Support Resource Guide
Mental Health / General Public	List of free digital media apps that can be used during COVID-19.	Apps	NYC Well- App Library	COVID-19 and Digital Mental Health Resources
Mental Health / General Public	Tips and support to stay mentally healthy while staying home	Fact Sheet Social Media	World Health Organization	#HealthyAtHome- Mental Health
Suicide / General Public	How suicide firearm deaths could be exacerbated during COVID-19, and how to reduce access.	Guidance Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence	Firearm Suicide & COVID-19: Mitigating Risk During a Pandemic
Mental Health / General Public	The app is free, secure, and helps connect you to important resources for coping and adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus on stress management, mood, and staying healthy.	Apple App	US Department of Veterans Affairs	COVID Coach
Mental Health / Teachers, School Professionals	Products and resources specific to school mental health that can be useful when coping with the effects of widespread public health crises. A compilation of school mental health resources from other reputable organizations is available.	Fact Sheet Webinars/Webinar List	Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)	Responding to COVID-19: School Mental Health Resources
School Trauma / Teachers	Experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network share their recommendations for educators supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis.	Article(s)	Teaching Tolerance	A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching through Coronavirus
School Teachers / School Professionals	Guidance for elementary, secondary and higher education schools.	Guidance Website	U.S. Department of Education	COVID-19 Information for Schools and School Personnel
School / Teachers, Parents and Families	Compilation of useful resources for teachers and parents during COVID-19.	Fact Sheet Teaching Tools	Education Development Center	Resources for the COVID-19 Crisis
School / Teachers	Tools to help with personal wellness	Fact Sheet	Northeast & Caribbean MHTTC	Tools for Educators During a Public Health Crisis
LGBTQ / LGBTQ+	News Article Identifying best ways to access resources specific for LGBTQ+	Article(s) Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	them.	How LGBTQ+ People Can Get Help During Coronavirus
LGBTQ Suicide Prevention / Health Care Providers	Research report that identifies how social distancing, isolation and increased anxiety can have a negative impact on LGBTQ youth who are already at higher risk for mental illness and suicide.	Report	The Trevor Project	Implications of COVID-19 for LGBTQ Youth Mental Health And Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Youth / Youth, Young Adults, Students	This resource guide created by the Behavioral Health Administration has skills, tips and resources to help students maintain their mental health during the 2020/2021 school year.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	Maryland Department of Health- BHA	BHA Student Resource Guide
Family / Military Families	Updated guidance and resources for military families during COVID-19	Website	Department of Defense	DOD Response to Coronavirus
Family Mental Health / Parents, Families	Fact sheet on preparing for COVID-19, how to discuss it with your children and symptoms of stress to look for in children.	Fact Sheet	National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network	Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease
Family Mental Health / Parents, Families	Up-to date Mental Health resources for children.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	Mountain Plains MHTTC	Mental Health Resources for Parents and Caregivers during COVID-19
CARES Act Family / Latino Families	CARES Act discussion on what the package includes and what it means for the Latino community from the health, education, jobs and housing, and immigration perspectives.	Video(s)	UnidosUS	UnidosUS CARES: Explaining COVID-19 Relief for Latino Families
Family Mental Health / Parents, Families	Resources for talking to children about COVID-19 and positive coping skills.	Fact Sheet	National Association of School Psychologists	Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
Family Mental Health / Families	Resources and tools to utilized to keep families healthy and children engaged during COVID-19.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List Tools	Mental Health Association of Maryland	Support for Children & Families: Coronavirus
Mental Health Young Adults / College Students	Mental Health advocacy group with chapters nationally, providing remote resources, student chats and webinars to support young adults during COVID-19 pandemic.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List Tools Webinars/Webinar List	Active Minds	Mental Health Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
Mental Health Young Adults / College Students	List of Mental Health Resources	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	BHIPP	College Student COVID-19 Resources
Violence Prevention / General Public, Families	Resources for public health and safety during COVID-19.	Fact Sheet Guidance	Safe States	COVID-19: Injury and Violence Prevention Resource Hub
Mental Health / Parents, Families	NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms.	Training Webinars/Webinar List	National Alliance on Mental Illness	NAMI Basics OnDemand
Mental Health / Children, Families	Educational material for "how kids can fight COVID-19"	Book	Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG)	My Hero Is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19
Grief / Families	Our staff are available to offer phone support, online and community resources, as well as reading recommendations and other useful tools.	Resources/Resource Guides/Resource List	CaringMatters	COVID-19 Resources & Response

Educator Resources

Parent Resources

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is critical for building healthy relationships, communicating effectively, and living a meaningful life. At the elementary school level, Charles County Public Schools utilizes the Move This World SEL program to develop students’ techniques for processing and managing emotions as well as essential social skills. It includes topics such as goal setting to stress management and provides both children and adults with tools they can use to express themselves authentically and appropriately.

Move This World provides free complimentary resources for families to utilize at home. Please take to time to explore Supporting Mental Health During COVID-19 SEL video resources for the home.

Facebook* Twitter * Instagram * YouTube

Other Resources

Anxiety and Coping with the Coronavirus

Talking to your child about COVID

Student Resources

Middle and High

Middle and High

Student and Young Adult Resource Guide for Coping during COVID-19 (MDH BHA)

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) developed this behavioral health resource guide for middle and high school students, adolescents and young adults coping during the school year. We hope that this guide will help spotlight issues and find resources so that Maryland students and young adults can know how to help themselves, and each other, manage stress and recognize signs of crisis during the pandemic. Please use and share these resources on mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, and grief and loss with your peers.

Other Resources

Anxiety and Coping with the Coronavirus

School Based Mental Health Services

The Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, Inc. (TCYSB) School-Based Program is a program offered to provide integrated mental health services for school-aged children throughout Charles County. Our TCYSB school-based clinicians work with students in elementary, middle, and high school, to support students in overcoming behavioral, emotional, and social challenges that interfere with success at school and at home.

Common challenges may include:

Aggression
Anxiety
Depression
Isolation
Poor social skills
Stress
Trauma
Truancy

TCYSB School-Based Clinicians help students reduce disruptive behavior and improve self-monitoring skills. Integrated as members of the school team, we can serve youth in a familiar setting, offering minimal interruption to their school day. We are currently providing services virtually via telehealth through a secure, HIPAA compliant platform for the 2020-2021 school year.

SERVICES

School-Based Therapy includes:

Individual and group therapy
Family counseling
Risk assessments, as needed (suicidal or homicidal)
Specialized training and support services for parents and teachers
Collaboration with other community providers
Linkage to additional community resources

OUR STAFF

TCYSB School-Based Therapists are master’s level credentialed to provide services based on their degree in social work, counseling or psychology. These creative professionals partner with teachers, school administrators and parents to develop individualized treatment plans and behavioral interventions for students.

REFERRALS

Teachers, school counselors school psychologists, pupil personnel workers, principals, or parents may refer students for these services. To make a referral or sign up, contact your child’s school to request a referral packet including the consent forms to begin services. Once the referral packet is complete, parents must return the forms to the school counselor/personnel. School counselors/personnel will then send the referral packet to our secure, monitored email address at info@tcysb.org.

FUNDING

TCYSB is funded by the Charles County Public Schools through grants and operating budget to support the mental health of our students.

SCHOOL LOCATIONS

TCSYB School-Based Program is offered to each public school throughout Charles County. Please contact your child’s school for more information. Students enrolled in Charles County Public Schools do not pay for counseling services provided through the school-based program.

Self Care Resources

All Welcome Here!

Take a break, find space to unwind, and recharge. Use any of these resources to put your mind at ease, reduce stress, calm any chaos, and recharge your spirit.

Charles County Public Schools cares about you!

Breath Relaxation | Use Your Breathing

Sound Relaxation | Listen to Soothing Sounds

Visual Relaxation | Your Eyes Will Do All the Work

Cuteness Overload Cams | Smile Warning

Art Relaxation | Creativity for the Soul

Mindful Movement | Release the Tension

Explore New Places | Let Your Eyes Do the Walking

Motivational Quotes | You Can Do It

Mindful Moments

Brain Teasers

External Resources

Developmental Impact of Trauma

Describes how young children, school-age children, and adolescents react to traumatic events and offers suggestions on how parents and caregivers can help and support them.

Describes the psychological and behavioral impact of trauma on elementary school students.

Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Elementary School Students

Describes the psychological and behavioral impact of trauma on middle school students.

Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Middle School Student

Describes the psychological and behavioral impact of trauma on high school students.

Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: High School Students

Offers information on coping after mass violence. This fact sheet provides common reactions children and families may be experiencing after a mass violence event, as well as what they can do to take care of themselves. 

Coping after Mass Violence

What is Trauma?

FACT: One out of every four children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and/or behavior.
—NCTSN Child Trauma Toolkit for Educator

WHAT IS TRAUMA?

Trauma is relative
Perception and response to trauma varies by individual
Trauma is cumulative
Traumatic experiences can be isolated events or can be compounded by repetitive trauma throughout a lifetime
Trauma is complex
Exposure to trauma and an individual’s responses to it are complex and related to physical, social, and cultural factors

Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

DESCRIPTION OF CHILD TRAUMA

Defines child traumatic stress. This fact sheet gives an overview of trauma, describes traumatic stress symptoms, and ways children may be impacted.

What is Child Traumatic Stress?

What Is Child Trauma?

Trauma and Learning

Symptoms resulting from trauma can directly impact a student’s ability to learn.

Situations that can be traumatic:

Physical or sexual abuse
Abandonment
Neglect
The death or loss of a loved one
Life-threatening violence in a caregiver
Witnessing domestic violence
Automobile accidents or other serious accidents
Bullying
Life-threatening health situations and/or painful medical procedures
Witnessing or experiencing community violence (e.g., shootings, stabbings, robbery, or fighting at home, in the neighborhood, or at school)
Witnessing police activity or having a close relative incarcerated
Life-threatening natural disasters
Acts or threats of terrorism (viewed in person or on television)
Living in chronically chaotic environments in which housing and financial resources are not consistently available

NCTSN Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators

Students might be distracted by intrusive thoughts about the event that prevent them from paying attention in class, studying, or doing well on a test. Exposure to violence can lead to decreased IQ and reading ability. Some students might avoid going to school altogether.

Exposure to violence and other traumatic events can disrupt youths’ ability to relate to others and to successfully manage emotions. In the classroom setting, this can lead to poor behavior, which can result in reduced instructional time, suspensions, and expulsions. Long-term results of exposure to violence include lower grade point averages and reduced graduation rates, along with increased incidences of teen pregnancy, joblessness, and poverty.

Adapted from traumaawareschools.org

Trauma Informed Care

Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

“An organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing and responding to the effects of all kinds of trauma.”
Source: Traumainformedcare.org

Trauma-informed care seeks to:

Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery;
Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients, families, and staff;
Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and
Actively avoid re-traumatization.

Adapted from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 

SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach

Child-Mind-Intitute-Parents-Guide-Traumatic-Event.pdf

Trauma Informed School System

Schools systems are charged with educational achievement. In order to reach this goal, students must feel safe, supported and ready to learn. When children are exposed to violence and trauma, they may not feel safe and ready to learn. These events can impact the entire school community including children directly affected by traumatic experiences, other students, school staff and all who interact or work with a student who has experienced trauma. As schools maintain a focus on education and achievement, Charles County Public Schools acknowledges that mental health and wellness are innately connected to students’ success in their classes and school environment.

A trauma informed school recognizes that trauma impacts staff, students, families and communities and systems. Charles County Public Schools is committed to the development of organizational support, partnerships and capacity-building as it relates to a trauma informed school.

The school system is dedicated to the continued development of the 10 essential elements of a trauma informed school as identified by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Essential Elements of a Trauma Informed School System

Identifying and assessing traumatic stress
Addressing and treating traumatic stress
Teaching trauma education and awareness.
Partnerships with students and families
Creating a trauma informed learning environment (social/emotional skills and wellness)
Culturally Responsive
Integration of emergency management and tragedy response
Understanding and addressing staff self care and secondary traumatic stress
Evaluating and revising school discipline policies and practices
Collaborating across systems and establishing community partnerships

A Trauma-Informed School (TSA)

Approximately a 3-minute video which details the components of a trauma-informed school environment.

traumaawareschools.org

Families and Trauma

Offers parents information about child traumatic stress (CTS), the best way to treat CTS, what parents can do at home for their children, and how parents can make sure their children receive support at school.

Understanding Child Traumatic Stress: A Guide for Parents

Offers parents and caregivers information about trauma. This fact sheet defines traumatic stress and describes how common it is, how it can impact a family, and things a family can do to cope with traumatic stress.

Trauma and Your Family

Offers strategies to help parents/caregivers cope with collective traumas. This fact sheet also provides guidance on what parents/caregivers can do to care for their children as they cope.

Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas

Helps parents and caregivers address their children's concerns and worries arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions of normal life that we are experiencing.

Helping Children Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Helps parents understand how economic difficulties can affect their families, in terms of their sense of safety, connectedness, and hope. The fact sheet also helps families find ways to cope during uncertain times.

Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents

Youth and Trauma

Provides information to help youth practice self-care. This fact sheet includes information on what it means to take care of yourself, as well as recommended hotlines and conversation starters. This resource is most helpful for youth ages 12 and older.

Taking Care of You

Offers information for teens about common reactions to mass violence, as well as tips for taking care of themselves and connecting with others.

For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence

Helps high school students and young adults understand how economic difficulties may affect them and provides suggestions on how they can cope during these uncertain times.

Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School and College Age

Offers teens information about trauma, how it can affect them, and why they might use alcohol or drugs to deal with their experiences.

Using Drugs to Deal with Stress and Trauma: A Reality Check for Teens

Offers information for youth to help them understand the differences between grief and traumatic grief, the signs and symptoms of traumatic grief in children and youth, and what to do to feel better.

Childhood Traumatic Grief: Youth Information Sheet

Staff and Trauma

Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators

Provides teachers with facts about the impact of trauma on students. This fact sheet, a part of the Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators, includes information on trauma reactions and how teachers can help.

Trauma Facts for Educators

Offers teachers guidance on helping students after a mass violence event. This fact sheet describes common reactions students may have, how teachers and school staff can help, as well as engage in self-care after a mass violence event.

Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after Mass Violence

Offers information on childhood traumatic grief. This fact sheet provides descriptions of childhood traumatic grief, normal and typical grief, and what to do for childhood traumatic grief for teachers and school personnel.

Brief Information on Childhood Traumatic Grief for School Personnel

Offers information on why school personnel are important for grieving students. This fact sheet outlines how children grieve, what Childhood Traumatic Grief is, who develops Childhood Traumatic Grief, what traumatic stress reactions in Childhood Traumatic Grief can look like, the signs a student might have Childhood Traumatic Grief, and what school personnel can do to help their students.

Childhood Traumatic Grief: Information for School Personnel

Offers suggestions to educators about what can be done at a school to help a traumatized child. This tip sheet describes very practical ways school staff can help children who have experienced trauma.

Suggestions for Educators (Helping Traumatized Children in School)

Shares principles and examples of creating meaningful changes in the classroom that form an environment where children feel safe and willing to take risks.

Looking at Strategies in the Classroom to Support Students

Highlights useful strategies for and classroom examples of relationship-building and its positive impact on trauma-informed practice change in schools.

Building Relationships as a Foundation of Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools

Describes risk factors for and signs of secondary traumatic stress in educators, as well as techniques for prevention and self-care.

Secondary Traumatic Stress for Educators

Discusses how challenging financial circumstances may affect you, other school staff, students, and their families and provides specific ways to help.

Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for School Staff

Highlights tips for educators on self-care.

Self Care for Educators

Threat Assessment

Charles County Public Schools is committed to the safety of students, staff, and our overall school community. As of September 1, 2019, the Maryland State Department of Education required each local Maryland school system to establish a threat assessment team whose functions includes (but are not limited to), the development of a process for regular assessment and intervention to identify, assess, and intervene with individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of the school or to an individual attending a public school. In Charles County Public Schools, School Administration and Student Services staff are trained to assess potential threats towards individuals and schools with support from a centralized threat assessment team. In addition, our threat assessment teams emphasize de-escalation, containment, control, and redirection of the individual(s) from plans and preparation for violence; and towards engaging with others, problem solving, adapting, developing social-emotional skills and improving coping skills and well-being. In addition, community resources are identified that may provide support to the individual(s).

Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation

Code of Student Conduct