What is the mission of our South Colonie School Social Workers?
The overall goal of South Colonie school social workers is to help students reach their full academic, social, and emotional potential by reducing or eliminating barriers to success.
What is a School Social Worker?
A school social worker is a trained mental health professional who works as a part of your child’s school team. School social workers work in conjunction with students, teachers, parents, and the community to help your child have a positive school experience.
How does a School Social Worker help?
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A school social worker collaborates in partnership with the South Colonie Department of Pupil Support Services to coordinate all facets of a students’ life - academic, personal, family and community
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A school social worker prepares students for success and participation in the community
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A school social worker promotes problem-solving and decision-making skills
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A school social worker helps students to develop internal control to accept responsibilities and take ownership of their actions
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A school social worker provides individual and group counseling dealing with a variety of situations such as poor self-esteem, divorce/separation, death, truancy, anger management, violence, socialization skills and other youth-at-risk concerns such as abuse of drugs and alcohol.
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A school social worker collaborates in community planning for crisis intervention for issues such as rape, abuse and neglect, suicide, runaways and family violence
Helping students and families overcome today's specific issues?
A school social worker helps students and families identify and deal with specific issues or concerns that may be hampering a student's ability to learn. Below are some of the more common issues children and teens may face during their school years and some information and resources to help get them on track. Click on the title or the photo below for more information on each subject area.
Alcohol is one of the most widely used drug substances in the world. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, alcohol use and binge drinking among our nation’s youth is a major public health problem. Alcohol is used by more young people in the United States than tobacco or illicit drugs. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with approximately 75,000 deaths per year and is a factor in approximately 41% of all deaths from motor vehicle crashes. Among youth, the use of alcohol and other drugs has been linked to unintentional injuries, physical fights, academic problems, and illegal behavior.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24 nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the youth suicide rate nearly tripled between 1952 and 1995 nationwide. Youth suicide probably is underreported because of social stigma, shame, and guilt among family and friends. Any talk, mention or insinuation of wanting to kill oneself or wanting to not be here should be taken very seriously and not kept a secret. Too many times our young people will keep this information a secret and then a teenager ends up dying. It is never a secret; people do die because other teens have not known how serious this message was.
Did you know that half of all American children will witness the breakup of a parent’s marriage? Of these, close to half will also see the breakup of a parent’s second marriage. Children of divorced parents are roughly two times more likely to drop out of high school than their peers who benefit from living with parents who did not divorce. Children of divorce are also at a greater risk to experience injury, asthma, headaches and speech defects than children whose parents have remained married. Many of these problems can be overcome with the help of a professional.
According to the National Cancer Institute, unlike adults, bereaved children do not experience continual and intense emotional and behavioral grief reactions. Children may seem to show grief only occasionally and briefly, but in reality a child’s grief usually lasts longer than that of an adult. This may be explained by the fact that a child’s ability to experience intense emotions is limited. Mourning in children may need to be addressed again and again as the child gets older. Since bereavement is a process that continues over time, children will think about the loss repeatedly, especially during important times in their life, such as going to camp, graduating from school, getting married, or giving birth to their own children.
Throughout a child or teen's life, families may find the need for crisis intervention services to help them assess and deal with problems involving mental health and other serious issues. The Capital District area offers a variety of programs and agencies that provide these support services. If you feel you need help, DON'T WAIT, call today.
helpful resources
Confidential, anonymous on-line chat for support in a difficult time. A place to talk about any type of problem or stress, including family or relationship problems, depression, anxiety, or if you are worried about a friend. Crisis Chat specialists will listen without judgment and help you figure out your best options.
The
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Confidential, anonymous support on a hotline. Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), available 24/7. If you need to talk about any type of problem, including thoughts of suicide, call specialists are ready to listen without judgment and help you through this difficult time.
Help
is just a phone call away ..
Dial 2-1-1 now!
Every day, across New York State, people just like you are looking for help. 2-1-1 New York helps connect you to services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including holidays. When you call 2-1-1, you will speak with someone who can help you find the information and services you need. The call is free and confidential.
272 Broadway Albany, NY 12204
The New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) is a great resource. At this link you will find a directory of Capital District human service agencies, by county, with people who can help you and your family on a variety of important topics.
91 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204-2748
The Capital District Child Care Coordinating Council is a non-profit organization serving parents, employers and child care providers in Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties in New York State. It is a resource and referral agency, providing resources to the community by improving the availability and quality of child care, and a referral service counseling parents seeking child care.
helpful articles
South Colonie's Award-Winning Parent Newsletter Series
Drugs and alcohol— Helping teens make wise choices (pdf)
Risk-taking teens — What parents can do to stem the tide (pdf)
Live Strong! Raising children who believe in themselves (pdf)
Helping families understand AD/HD (pdf)
Who is that in the mirror (pdf)
Raising resilient teens (pdf)
Outpatient Therapy Services
Mental health therapists can be identified through your health insurance policy. The following are resources you may wish to consider should your insurance carrier not locate a provider:
102 Hackett Boulevard, Albany, N.Y. 12209
Parsons is the largest multi-services agency in New York's Capital Region dedicated to helping families and their children. The agency provides counseling services, parenting education, child abuse/neglect prevention and treatment, family strengthening programs, early childhood family support, special education, youth development programs, and mental health services.
2280 Western Avenue, Guilderland, N.Y. 12084
New York State licensed therapists at Karner Psychological Associates Group provide diagnostic assessments for a broad range of difficulties. Common concerns are: anxiety, depression, ADD & ADHD, learning disorders, children's behavior problems, parenting concerns, problematic habits, Autism and more.
650 Warren Street, Albany, N.Y. 12208
Family and Children’s Service of the Capital Region is the oldest counseling and family service not-for-profit in the country. Today, the organization provides thousands of families and individuals with the counseling, programs and information resources they need to maintain satisfying and healthy lives.
NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Adult clinical information and referral.
Child and Adolescent Outpatient Services.
Should you need any additional referrals contact our school psychologists, social workers or your family physician.
