November Content:
- School Psychologists Week
- Expansion of Hope4NC for WNC
- Preventing Respiratory Viruses
- Regional Health Education Training Series
- Bounce Back Learning Collaborative
- Upcoming Healthful Living Webinars
- Greater Good Educators
- November/December Health Observances
During the week of November 11-15th, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and schools across the United States will mark National School Psychology Week (NSPW). This week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. NSPW is an annual opportunity to recognize school psychologists' work to help children thrive in school, at home, and in life.
This year's theme, "Spark Discovery," recognizes the work that school psychologists do to help their communities seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth. Join us by taking this week to embark on a journey of discovery, explore how each person can celebrate the work of school psychologists, and learn how school psychologists help students, families, and communities every day. -NASP
Thank you to Megan Cardin and Lynn Makor, our
DPI Psychology Consultants, and to all of you out
across the state of North Carolina!
School psychologists in North Carolina engage in delivery of comprehensive school psychological services for students PK-12. This includes:
- Applying an Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to help schools and districts develop prevention and intervention programs to support students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs
- Collaborating with school and district teams to collect and analyze data to help identify students in need of support and to monitor students’ progress toward goals
- Conducting psychoeducational evaluations of students suspected of having a disability to help inform teams’ eligibility and programming decisions
- Serving on threat assessment teams to help identify students who may be at risk of harming themselves or others
- Providing individual and group counseling interventions to students
Learn more about school psychology in North Carolina here!
 Expansion of Hope4NC for WNC
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced $2.9 million in federal funding to help increase crisis counseling services for people impacted by Hurricane Helene. The funding is part of the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program administered by the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is available to states to address behavioral health care needs and support relief for people in disaster-impacted communities.
The funding will be used to expand the Hope4NC initiative to recruit, hire and train crisis counselors, behavioral health therapists and certified peer support specialists in the 25 counties declared major disaster areas following Hurricane Helene. Approximately 1.8 million people live in these areas and were impacted by the storm that brought catastrophic damage on Sept. 26, 2024, and in the days following. Currently, first responders and volunteers experiencing stress or mental health crisis can call the Hope4NC Helpline at 1-855-587-3463 24/7. The additional funding will expand the crisis response workforce to increase access to more people who are impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Learn more at: Increasing Crisis Counseling Services for People Impacted by Hurricane Helene; NCDHHS Receives Federal Funding to Expand Hope4NC and Help People Rebuild and Recover | NCDHHS
We're entering the season of holiday celebrations and gatherings!
This also means we're entering the season of shared viruses...
The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) released updated guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
“Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States,” the CDC’s website says. “In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.”
In May, the CDC also released updated guidelines on preventing the spread of COVID in schools, in alignment with the respiratory guidelines.
“CDC has updated actions schools can take to prevent germs from spreading and keep kids healthy and learning,” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said at the time. “This update puts lessons learned into actionable steps schools can follow to keep our kids, teachers, and school staff safe.”
You can view the updated guidelines for schools: Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools | CDC
There is one remaining date in the education training series. These trainings are open to all current teachers, educators and other staff/administrators. Stipends for time and attendance and substitute teacher pay are available. All trainings are one-day trainings and are held from 9am-4pm, with a one-hour break for lunch from 12-1pm.
Effectively Teaching Reproductive Health & Safety
December 4, 2024 in Winston-Salem, NC
Register
Overview of reproductive health and safety legislation and standards, and multiple examples of interactive instructional and assessment strategies aligned with these standards.
The North Carolina Child Treatment Program is launching our first-ever Bounce Back Learning Collaborative, an adaptation of the CBITS (Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools) model. Bounce Back is a trauma-focused group intervention designed for elementary-aged children (5–11) who have experienced traumatic events. Recognizing the importance of accessible support during this time, we are waiving tuition for clinicians and senior leaders who provide services in schools across Western NC. Applications for the collaborative are open through December 4th, with training beginning in January 2025.
To learn more about Bounce Back and how you can participate, we invite you to join our informational call on November 15th, 2024, at 10:00 am ET. Register here.
Upcoming Healthful Living Webinars
Beginning Healthful Living Teachers 102
November 26th
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Designed for teachers in their first to 5th year of employment. In this session the Healthful Living Standards will be broken down and explored so that teachers may provide instruction that matches the chosen objective.
Register Here.
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Tools and Strategies for Adapted Learning
February 12th
3:00 – 4:30 pm
In this session practical skills will be explored that enables differentiated instruction for all students.
Register Here.
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Standards Implementation Hub
April 9th
3:00 – 4:30 pm
The 2024 Healthful Living Standards will be implemented in the 2025-2026 academic year. This session will explore the newest resources available to assist Healthful Living Teachers transition to the new standards.
Register Here.
 Greater Good Educators
Learn to build kinder, happier schools where everyone belongs!
Join Greater Good Educators, a new program from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. This program provides educators an opportunity to explore the science and practical application of individual and collective well-being, helping to support the development of schools and classrooms where both students and adults thrive.
Explore the science of well-being in our Winter/Spring 2025 cohorts:
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Bridging for Belonging: Explore the science of empathy, humility, forgiveness, and hope to develop skills for bridging differences in schools with Amy L. Eva, Ph.D.and Brockerick Rowell, Ph.D, ND.
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(Re)Rooted to Others:Explore the science of grace, love, and sense of worth to create more inclusive, compassionate, and empowering educational environments with Demond Hill Jr. Ph.D.and Margaret Golden Ed.D.
When you join one of our Winter/Spring 2025 cohorts, you will:
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Explore the science of empathy, humility, and forgivenessor grace, love, and worthin schools in a set of three self-paced learning modules.
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Select and implement practicesin your school setting.
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Join a small group of educatorsfrom around the world to share your insights and experience in an online community of practice.
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Move at your own pacethrough a rich resource bank of materials ranging from short videos about the science and practice of well-being, turnkey research-based practices, articles, podcasts, and more!
Who this program is for:
- Classroom teachers (preK-12)
- School site administrators
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) school-based specialists
- School mental health professionals and counselors
- Pre-service educators
- Para-educators
- Teacher educators
To ensure accessibility, this is a donation-based program. Educators are invited to apply for the program and, once accepted, give what they can. Our Education Program (and the Greater Good Science Center) is funded entirely by donations and grants—our work is only possible because of supporters like you! A suggested donation of $200 helps support the facilitators and resources, but please give whatever you can—every amount helps us create and sustain more trusted, science-based programs for educators and the school communities they serve. Apply by December 1, 2024. Space is limited.
Apply Here: bit.ly/ggedu25
From educators who participated in our 2024 pilot program:
“It really replenished my strength and kept me going this year and I’m grateful.”
“More than I could ever use! Perfect to design a school’s wellness program around.”
“It was amazing being able to collaborate and learn from others in the same field.”
“I found my people and I can’t wait for the next session.”
“It was great to spend time with other educators who are trying to implement these practices in their classrooms as I have been.”
“It was so nice to be in a community of like-minded people and to feel myself part of a global movement.”
“This is how real change happens."
Nov/Dec Health Observances Include:
- November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
- November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
- November is National Diabetes Month
- November is Healthy Skin Month
- November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- November 21st is the Great American Smokeout
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- December 1st is World AIDS Day
- December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- December 1st - 7th is National Hand Washing Awareness Week
- December 2nd - 6th is National Influenza Vaccination Week
- December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
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