 Student-led Stress Awareness Initiative
April is Stress Awareness Month, which calls attention to the causes and cures for stress that occurs daily.
Hunter Combs, a student at Knott County High School, is leading the way within his own high school to promote proactive strategies and best practices for other students to cope with daily stresses. Included in his "Be Kind to Your Mind" presentation, Combs is helping all of his peers by talking about how to deal with situations like flood-related trauma, the stresses and worries of day-to-day life as a high schooler and informing people of what resources his school can offer.
"Coming from a small town, mental health isn't really talked about," Combs said. "Maybe it's just that people don't care about it or maybe they are just scared of such a daunting topic.
"When the historic flooding in late July of last year hit that would ravage the area of Eastern Kentucky, taking many lives of people young and old and displacing hundreds of families from their homes and communities, I knew this would be rough. You can't live in an area your entire life, make all of your memories here, have everything you know and own be here and lose it all and just be OK."
Recognizing this need helped Combs initiate these presentations for his fellow students to ensure they understand what true mental health is and how to take care of themselves.
Final Statewide School Counselor Cadre
The last Statewide School Counselor Cadre of this school year will be June 6 from 9 a.m.-noon ET.
John Burnett, a fellow school counselor, will be the featured speaker. He will focus on rethinking self-care for school counselors, educators and families. Collaborative opportunities to network will also be available during the last hour.
Registration for the Statewide School Counselor Cadre is open through your local educational cooperative in-person or virtually. Effective Instructional Leadership Act credit will be given.
KDE accepting applications for the School Counselors Advisory Council
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is currently accepting applications for the School Counselors Advisory Council.
The KDE School Counselors Advisory Council is a vital component to building leadership, professionalism and advocacy among Kentucky's school counselors. School counselors are selected from the applicants by a group of stakeholders based on varied experiences and levels to ensure all areas and demographics are represented from around the state.
Most recently, the advisory council shared feedback regarding their roles and responsibilities within their schools and districts. This information helps drive guidance from KDE in order to inform not only school counselors, but also administrators, about the true role of the school counselor.
The advisory group also has provided input to create updates to the Kentucky Framework of Best Practices for School Counselors. Some members have submitted videos displayed on the KDE School Counseling webpage showcasing their expertise in different aspects of a comprehensive school counseling program.
Collaboration is encouraged, as this group will include a variety of different experiences, levels and demographics to continue making progress toward successful comprehensive school counseling programs.
If selected, school counselors would serve a term of three years beginning in the fall of 2023 and meet quarterly each year.
The deadline for submission is June 1. Please contact Heather Bushelman with any questions
Stronger Connections Grant Now Available
The Kentucky Department of Education has just released the Request for Applications (RFA) for the Stronger Connections Grant (SCG) program.
SCG is intended to support evidence-based school safety and climate plans, along with other evidence-based strategies for creating safe, healthy and supportive schools. “High-Need LEAs,” as defined in the RFA, are invited to apply and can access information about applying on the Competitive Grants from KDE webpage.
Any questions related to applying for this opportunity should be directed to KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
2023 Persistence to Graduation Summit Call for Presenters
The Kentucky Department of Education Division of Student Success (DSS) is hosting the 2023 Persistence to Graduation Summit at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington on June 28-29.
Superintendents, principals, educators, family resource and youth services center coordinators, school mental health and social service professionals, and community partners from across Kentucky will convene to share information and best practices to support students who may experience challenges to reaching graduation. Engaging and interactive sessions will be led by facilitators from across the state and will include:
- Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities;
- Safe and Supportive Learning Environments;
- Effective Use of Education Technology;
- Student Transition and Re-engagement Strategies; and
- Alternative Education Programming.
These sessions are designed to be more engaging than the typical “sit and get” format of most conferences and are structured to encourage dialogue and exchanges that leverage the expertise of the session participants as well as the session leaders. Facilitators will engage with participants throughout the session and help cultivate an interactive experience, mirroring the type of interactions that take place in highly engaging classrooms. Participants will have prior access to any materials submitted by facilitators.
Those interested in facilitating a session should complete the Persistence to Graduation Call for Proposals Google form by April 28. Submissions will be reviewed by DSS staff and selected based on content, participant engagement and event needs. Those selected will be notified by email.
Successful Transitions: Intentional Collaboration and Planning
The Kentucky Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) employs regional independent living specialists (ILS) across the state that facilitate transition planning meetings with youth in foster care starting at 17 years old, within 90 days of turning 18 and then annually until they exit foster care.
The ILS reviews all of the educational benefits with youth during these meetings. Additionally, they also have other meetings with foster youth throughout the year where they review these benefits.
It is a best practice to let the ILS explain educational benefits as all foster youth in 11th and 12th grade may not be eligible for the same benefits. Depending upon their permanency goal, youth in foster care may leave care prior to 18 for a variety reasons which would impact their eligibility for educational benefits.
As a best practice, school counselors or their designee (e.g., FRYSC, school social worker) are strongly encouraged to attend the Transition Plan Meetings for their students and to communicate with the regional independent living specialists regularly regarding benefits that specific youth in foster are in your district.
Stay up to date regarding new events and services for youth in foster care in your district by following the DCBS KYRISE program on social media (@Kentucky RISE). DCBS regional independent living specialists also host Independent Living Coalition Meetings that counselors are welcome to attend! For more information please visit kyrise.ky.gov or contact chafee.ilp@ky.gov.
Shout Outs!
Nelson County Public Schools Early Learning Center and district preschools have used the funds from the calming space grant to implement them with fidelity for their 3- and 4-year-old students.
Curriculum, calming items and several books were purchased to ensure students have daily practice at self-regulation. The focus on self-awareness and self-management has ensured their students are able to communicate their regulation needs. Growth is also monitored using districtwide standards to show student progress.
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Owensboro Independent School District (@OboroSchools) in collaboration with Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (@GRRECKY) have increased awareness and implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs.
Administrators, school counselors and mental health providers have been trained throughout the year about the role of a school counselor and the impact direct services have on student success. They also are strengthening their district threat assessment policies and procedures to ensure proactive best practices are in place.
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