Educational Support Counseling

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Where am I?

Educational Support Counseling Program (ESC)

ESC is a partnership between Kirkwood School District and BJC Behavioral Health. It was formed to support the early intervention and short term mental health needs for Kirkwood School District students from Preschool age through grade 12.

Mission Statement

The Educational Support Counselor Program is committed to providing school-based mental health services which support students achieve academic and personal success.

The mission of the Educational Support Counselor Program, a team of school-based mental health professionals, is to support the social-emotional and academic well-being of students by providing coordinated, proactive, and individualized mental health interventions.

Beliefs

Each student is a unique individual who wants to be successful as a learner and treated with dignity.
Student success is directly related to his/her mental health, social-emotional and physical well-being.
Students benefit from wraparound service planning conducted by teams comprised of educators, counselors, and family members.
All children have the right to self-actualization through encouragement, counseling, and educational supports.

The ESC Program Includes:

Crisis Intervention Services
Direct Counseling
Case Management Services
Referral to Community Resources
Small and large student-topic groups
Staff and parent education on mental health issues
Consultative services to teacher and administration on individual student needs

Referral Process:

Should a student, parent, teacher, support staff and/or administrator identify a concern about a student's well-being, a referral for ESC services can be initiated using the following procedures:

Contact the school counselor who will assess the need for ESC support
The School Guidance Counselor will then make the referral to the designated ESC
The ESC will make contact with the student and/or family to initiate services

What's the Good News?

A 7th Grader stated - "You let me talk things out....my way. I feel better about myself than I have in a really long time."

Upon graduation, a student stated - "I just wanted to thank you for all you have done for me over the years. I have never been so happy!"

A parent stated - "Thank you so much! I don't know what my family would have done without you through (this) difficult time."