Shenendehowa has developed a Comprehensive Counseling Plan based on the National Standards and model for Counseling, developed by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). This model shifts the focus of counseling from a student-by-student system to a comprehensive and developmental program providing academic, career, and personal/social development for every K–12 student.
DELIVERY OF COUNSELING SERVICES UNDER THE PLAN
Delivery system defines the components of the comprehensive model including individual student planning, school counseling curriculum, responsive services and system support.
Individual Student Planning — Counselors monitor students’ progress so they may achieve success in academic, personal/social, and career areas. This may be accomplished through:
- Individual or Small Group Appraisal: Work with students in analyzing and evaluating abilities, interests, skills, and achievement.
- Individual or Small Group Advisement: Work directly with students on achieving success in personal/social, academic, and career areas.
- Case Management: Monitor individual students’ progress.
- Placement: Collaborate with school staff in determining the proper educational setting for students as they meet their academic and social goals.
- School Counseling Curriculum — The counseling curriculum provides developmental activities that address academic, career and personal/social needs of students K-12. This is accomplished through:
- Classroom Activities: School counselors present lessons in the classroom.
- Group Activities: School counselors conduct group activities outside of the classroom to address students’ particular needs.
- Interdisciplinary Activities: School counselors collaborate with school staff to implement curriculum across content areas.
- Responsive Services — School Counselors provide support and interventions to meet the needs of students. This is accomplished through:
- Individual and Small Group Counseling: Counseling is provided for students experiencing social, emotional, personal, or academic difficulties.
- Crisis Counseling: Short term counseling that is provided to students, families or staff as an immediate intervention to a crisis.
- Referrals: Counselors connect families to appropriate resources as needed.
- Consultation: School counselors collaborate with families, school staff and community agencies to develop interventions for students.
- System Support — Counselors assess the effectiveness of the counseling program. This is accomplished through:
- Teaming: School Counselors participate in district wide and building committees.
- Professional Development: School counselors regularly participate in training, conferences, and meetings to update knowledge and skills.
- Program Promotion: School Counselors provide orientation and information regarding the programs to the greater community via websites, counseling, newsletters and presentations.
