Student Support Services Home

Overview

The Silver Creek Central School District is responsible for providing special education services to all resident students who qualify for such supports. These services are coordinated by the district’s Student Support Services Department, which encompasses the district’s Committees for Special Education at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels. The Student Support Services Office also oversees the district’s English as a new language, health (nurses), educationally related support, counseling and mental health (social workers and school psychologists) services for all resident students.

School Counselor

School counselors are professionally trained, and New York State certified. Their role is to identify and address student needs that will ultimately formulate into academic and personal success. Our main goal is to advocate for our students to ensure they have a positive and successful school experience. Counselors work with students individually, in small groups, and within the classroom setting to support and assist them in their academic, social, emotional, and personal development. Counselors also are the liaison between students, parents, and administrators. Often, the counselor will facilitate the needs of the student to identify and minimize barriers that stand in the way of student success. Our counselors are important sources of information for referrals and outside resources.

The counselors offer support in areas including:

• Peer relationships
• Decision making skills
• Communication and conflict resolution
• Fostering self-awareness, acceptance, and diversity
• Teaching time management and organizational skills
• Crisis intervention for students and parents
• Academic Planning
• Individual and Group Counseling

School Psychologist

The psychologist’s role in the school involves support to school staff, parents and students regarding any academic, emotional, social or behavioral needs that may arise. The psychologist evaluates students who are referred to the CSE to assist in determining if special education services are necessary. Psychologists also provide counseling and crisis intervention services. They are an active participant in the development of functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans. The school psychologist is part of the comprehensive educational team of the school, working with other disciplines as an integral component in ensuring the student’s success.

• Assessment (use a variety of techniques to evaluate cognitive skills and learning aptitudes, personality and emotional development, eligibility for special services)
• Provide teachers and parents with strategies regarding academic and behavioral needs of students
• Crisis intervention for students and parents
• Individual and Group Counseling

• Facilitates with the RTI and Student Support Teams across the district and CSE meetings

Social Worker

School Social Workers are licensed mental health professionals and New York State certified as School Social Workers. They provide services related to a person's social/emotional wellness and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success. They provide intensive services for students experiencing multiple risk factors to support educational success. These services include:

• Individual and group counseling
• Crisis intervention for students and families
• Substance abuse prevention & awareness activities
• Case management for students with multiple needs
• Intervention services for students with attendance & disciplinary issues
• Assistance for students in developing advocacy skills
• Referrals for community resources
• Liaison between school & community agencies
• Referrals for outside counseling