Mental Health
Welcome to the Charles County Public Schools Mental Health webpage!
Good mental health is important for everyone, and as important as physical health to our quality of life. Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness, but also means having the skills necessary to cope with life's challenges. If ignored, mental health problems can interfere with children’s learning, development, relationships and physical health.
Beila Lugo, MS, NCSP
Mental Health Coordinator
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
blugo@ccboe.com
301-392-7507
Emergency Resources
Text 24-Hour Hotline
741741
Call 24-Hour Hotline
1-800-784-2433
Charles County Department of Social Services
301-392-6739
Charles County Sheriff’s Office
301-932-2222
Online therapy for every student
Did you know your child's school offers all students access to Hazel Health's online therapy program? Matched with a licensed therapist that specializes in kids and teens. Free online therapy program for all students with or without insurance.
Connect your child or teen to virtual mental health support. With Hazel Health, your child can get the mental health support they need, at school or at home, at no cost to you.
Services are available at school during school hours, and at home Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
Request a therapy appointment for your child by clicking the link below, or by calling Hazel Health at 1-800-764-2935.
Mental Health Calendar
Resources
- Mental Health Calendar
- 2023 Behavioral Health Conference workshop session information and resources
- Staff Resources by School
- COVID-19 Resources
- Educator Resources
- Parent Resources
- Student Resources
- Self Care Resources
- External Resources
- Developmental Impact of Trauma
- What is Trauma?
- Threat Assessment
- Local Behavioral Health Authority Provider List
Mental Health Calendar
March 2025
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, February 23
Monday, February 24
Tuesday, February 25
Wednesday, February 26
Thursday, February 27
Friday, February 28
Saturday, March 1
Sunday, March 2
Tuesday, March 4
SEL Week
All Day
Wednesday, March 5
SEL Week
All Day
Thursday, March 6
SEL Week
All Day
Friday, March 7
SEL Week
All Day
Saturday, March 8
Sunday, March 9
Monday, March 10
Tuesday, March 11
Wednesday, March 12
Thursday, March 13
Friday, March 14
Saturday, March 15
Sunday, March 16
Monday, March 17
Tuesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 19
Thursday, March 20
Friday, March 21
Saturday, March 22
Sunday, March 23
Monday, March 24
Tuesday, March 25
Wednesday, March 26
Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
Monday, March 31
Tuesday, April 1
Wednesday, April 2
Thursday, April 3
Friday, April 4
Saturday, April 5
Calendar & Category Legend:
- Mental Health
- Mental Health Workshops
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
|
Audience |
Title |
Presenter |
|---|---|---|
|
Parent (Spanish) |
CyberbullyingLearn 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 |
|
Student |
Teen Dating Violence PreventionParticipants 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 |
|
All |
Healthy 4 LifeParticipants will learn concepts needed to adopt and , maintain a healthier lifestyle as it relates to nutrition, fitness, and behavioral changes. |
John & Tammy Wright |
|
Parent |
What the +?: Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ+ IdentitiesParticipants 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 |
|
ALL |
DepressionParticipants will learn about the symptoms of depression and ways to manage it. |
Karyn Black, LCPC |
|
ALL |
Navigating the ""New Norm"" (Post Pandemic): Moving beyond Surviving to ThrivingThe purpose of this workshop is to provide parents and families with tools for total wellness post pandemic. |
Olivia Coffey, M.Ed. & HD, NCC |
|
ALL |
Anxiety: How Caregivers and Schools Can HelpParticipants 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 |
|
Student |
The Silent Killer: BullyingThe 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 |
|
Parent |
CCPS SEL and Mental Health SupportsParticipants will learn about the various social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health supports CCPS provide to students. |
Jacqueline Cheaves, NCC |
|
All |
Gardening and Wellness? Tell me More!The workshop will explain the benefits of gardening and provide easy ways to begin. |
Diane Fisher, MS |
|
Parent |
How to support your child through effective Parent/Child CommunicationThe 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 |
|
Parent |
Adult and Family Connections Working to Strengthen Social Emotional WellbeingLearn 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
|
|
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
|
|
ALL |
H.O.P.E. TrailerH.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 |
Session 2
|
Audience |
Title |
Presenter |
|---|---|---|
|
Parent (English) |
CyberbullyinGLearn 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 Tiffany Casey,LCSW-C Therapist Youme Healthcare |
|
Parent |
Teen Dating Violence PreventionParticipants 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 |
|
Student |
Dangers Of Vaping, E-Cigarettes, and Tobacco UseStudents will learn about the dangers of cigarettes, vaping, juuling, and e-cigarettes. |
John & Tammy Wright |
|
Student |
Identify Your Allies: LGBTQ+ Student Groups and MoreParticipants 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 |
|
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. |
|
Parent (Spanish) |
The Joys and Challenges of ReunificationParticipants 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 SchoolParticipants 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 |
|
Parent |
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports at HomeThe 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. |
|
ALL |
How To Alleviate Stress and Anxiety with Proper Time Management and OrganizationThe 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 |
|
ALL |
Teen Substance Abuse: What You Need to KnowThe 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 |
|
ALL |
The Motivation and Goals of Negative Behaviors in StudentsThe 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. |
|
Parent |
BASE EducationParticipants 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 |
|
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 |
|
ALL |
H.O.P.E. TrailerH.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 |
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 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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
Student Resources
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
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
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.
Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
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.
What is Trauma?
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.
- Trauma and Learning
- Trauma Informed Care
- Trauma Informed School System
- Families and Trauma
- Youth and Trauma
- Staff and 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?”
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
