Student Support Counseling (SSC)

Of the six broad strategies acknowledged in prevention research as necessary for effective prevention, through our Student Support Counseling services we address two:

• Identify individuals at highest risk as early as possible and provide individual services and connections primarily in the school, but also with the families and the community when appropriate.

• Support students in activities that focus on fun rather than alcohol and other drug use.

What services do the SSC provide ?

Of primary importance in our counseling is our approach to students from a “strength-based” perspective. This means that we work hard to help students see their personal, family and environmental strengths and supports regardless of the reason they are meeting with a counselor.

This approach uses research and terms like “resiliency” and “assets” and has increased our ability to meaningfully connect with students. Many students come to our counselors unable to identify personal strengths. They leave with a more accurate and complete assessment of themselves.

Although we do provide counseling for students with existing alcohol, tobacco or other drug (ATOD) use/abuse concerns, some of the other services our counselors can also provide include:

• Student assessment
• Crisis intervention
• Individual counseling for other issues
• Family contacts
• Recommendations for referrals to other needed services in the community
• Student support groups such as SADD, Tobacco-Free Teens, etc.
• Assistance with positive alternative activities
• Facilitation of parent or community meetings and training
• Staff development - one-time and ongoing work in the areas of building a resilient staff/school; addressing collegial issues such as team-building, interpersonal trust, conflict resolution; promoting the asset-development approach to working with students
   

How can I get TEAM SSC's in my school?

The first thing to do is ask your school district if the Prevention TEAM provides a counselor in the district. If not, we suggest that you ask if it is possible that they could be offered, and how you might help in being part of that occurring. Contact our agency’s administrative staff and they will advise you as to the feasibility of such services based upon our staff availability.