Schools in need continue to receive mental health crisis support from the Mental Health Coordinator (MHC). The crisis response team (School Psychologists, Professional School Counselors, Pupil Personnel Workers and Mental Health Clinicians) visited three schools, Rosaryville Elementary School, G. James Gholson Middle School and Northwestern High School. The team provided support after the deaths of a teacher at Rosaryville Elementary and a staff member at Northwestern High School. The team also provided assistance after an incident involving a weapon at G. James Gholson Middle School (no students were threatened or harmed). School-based clinicians also received materials and books to support their work in providing services to students.
Accordingly, the MHC trained 135 school-based Mental Health Clinicians on Board Policy 2952 – Behavior Threat Assessment and Administrative Procedure 2950 – Procedures for Crisis Response on April 24, 2023, April 25, 2023, and May 3, 2023. The MHC also completed Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines training, April 19-20, 2023, alongside PGCPS’ coordinator of psychological services and the crisis response team leader. Subsequently, the MHC, PGCPS’ coordinator of psychological services, and the crisis response team leader will train PGCPS staff on behavior threat assessment during the 2023-2024 school year.
The MHC also created a monthly Mental Health Newsletter for school-based Mental Health Clinicians, Professional School Counselors and School Psychologists.
Finally, the PGCPS Department of Student Services hosted its final Wellness Wednesday virtual session for families, for the 2022-2023 school year:
Wellness Wednesdays will resume in the 2023-2024 school year and provide informative and interactive content on mental health, well-being and family resources. Spanish interpreters will also remain available during these sessions.
