|
Volume 6, Issue 4 January/February 2016
|
|
|
Director's Message
|
|
Welcome back and Happy 2016! I am excited to begin this Second Semester. I hope that you enjoyed your break and were able to spend some time practicing self-care.
New Counselor Training #4 took place on Tuesday, January 26th afternoon, in the Phil Saldivar Room at Local District East. This meeting focused on Tier 3 Interventions and SARB. Our second round of Integration meetings will take place during the month of February. All staff will discuss and learn about graduation requirements and pathways, and will identify opportunities to collaborate in support of graduation for all students. The goal of this meeting will be to provide additional tools to continue to support our students to remain on track to graduation.
National School Counseling Week is being celebrated from February 1-5 with this year's theme, "School Counseling: The Recipe for Success". Thank you all for making a tremendous impact on the lives of our students and families.
Lastly, please be mindful of this season's weather conditions and continue to monitor and mitigate the impact of weather on student attendance and assist your schools in El Niño Preparations safety procedures. Click here
for more information available on the District's website.
Respectfully,
Erika F. Torres
Director
|
|
|
 |
|
Pupil Services and Attendance Polo Shirts
|
|
|
Coming Soon
Pupil Services and Attendance Polo Shirts are now available by a new vendor: AMR Designs. If you are interested please see a Central Team Counselor at your upcoming February Integration meeting. The deadline to purchase a polo shirt is March 11, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Important Dates
|
|
|
2/1-2/5 National School Counseling Week
2/15 President's Day
|
|
|
|
Truancy Automation
|
|
|
|
Central Automation of
Initial NOT Letters
Schools may utilize the Uncleared Absences Report and the Unresolved Absences Screen to clear absences and help identify students who may qualify for truancy classification. For more information click on the link to
MiSiS job aids.
Schools may access the Truancy Report and the Mailed Truancy Letter Report by clicking on the link to
EZ Access and logging in. All School Based PSA Counselors must have access to the MiSiS School Based PSA User Role. If you do not have the MiSiS School Based PSA User Role, you
will not be able to access the EZ Access Reports.
Schools must manually identify students for truancy letters 2 and 3. You can access the MS Word versions of the NOT letters by clicking on the link to
NOT Letter Updates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL BASED SUPPORT
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT CENTRAL
|
|
|
Los Angeles Academy Middle School girls are running!
 Taryn Larribas, Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor and Eileen Lemus, Psychiatric Social Worker at Los Angeles (LA) Academy Middle School are working hand in hand to increase self-esteem among their young female students as certified Girls on the Run coaches. At the beginning of the semester they selected fifteen female students that needed additional support to participate in this self-esteem program. They implemented the Heart and Sole program at their school. The Heart and Sole program uses the fun "Girls on the Run" experience based curriculum. With over 25 lessons, which creatively integrates running, girls are transformed into healthy confident young ladies. Girls on the Run is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to "creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams."
A Girl Wheel is used as the basis of each lesson. Each part of the wheel symbolizes a different piece needed to make a girl healthy and whole. The pieces include: spirit, social, body, heart, and brain. The sponsorship for this program was made possible by the Administration at LA Academy and the generosity of Girls on the Run LA, who agreed to a discount fee. Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment; the culminating event took place at Dockweiler Beach with a 5K walk/run challenge on December 13th. The 5k running event provide the students with a tangible sense of achievement and girls were awarded medals of completion.
|
|
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT EAST
|
|
|
It's the Season... for Community Giving!
As we know, many of the students and families in our LAUSD schools are living in poverty and do
 not have the means to purchase gifts or food during the holiday seasons. For the third year in a row, Local District East (formerly ESC East) hosted a Community Gift Giving event to support identified families. During the month of December, the Local District (LD) East Pupil Services team worked hard to identify families, volunteers, and coordinate the efforts.
LD East families, who are in need, either because of financial or emotional stress, were identified by school-based Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors. Families were asked for a wish list as well as for the name of the grocery store(s) they shopped at. The LD East Pupil Services Office received over 62 referrals for the Community Gift Giving event and they were able to sponsor all of the families! The LD East staff enthusiastically signed up to sponsor families and brought their holiday cheer along with it. In addition, assistance from the LD East staff, the South Pasadena Girl Scouts and families and friends of the Pupil Services Office volunteered to sponsor families.
The LD East Pupil Services Office was overwhelmed by the generosity of its volunteers as well as by the happiness brought to families during this time of year. Though it is a big event to coordinate and manage, it was well worth the efforts and time invested. They were happy that this event has become a tradition in the East area and is embraced by the LD East Superintendent Jose Huerta and the Administrator of Operations, Dr. Alfonso Webb. Families expressed gratitude and appreciation for the kindness displayed by the volunteers with gifts and food gift cards for their children. LD East and the Pupil Services Office hope to continue and expand this tradition for years to come!
|
|
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT NORTHEAST
|
|
|
Combating Chronic Absences
 At Cardenas Elementary School in Van Nuys, students are receiving great support and encouragement to attend school regularly. In the past, Cardenas struggled with high numbers of chronically absent students. Since Karen Zelaya, Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor joined the Cardenas team last school year, the Chronic Absence rate has significantly decreased. Looking at the data for the month of November, there are currently 5.3% of students attending less than 91%, a dramatic improvement over two years ago when the November Chronic Absence rate was 12.9%.
 Local District Northeast congratulates Karen on the many interventions she has implemented to accomplish this. Karen conducts support groups with small numbers of students who are having difficulty, as well as conducts parent conferences, home visits, case management, resource linkages and other tailored interventions to help families overcome barriers to regular attendance. Karen also supports and reinforces attendance excellence all year-round. She rewards individual students every month with perfect attendance dog tags, and she places classroom race cars on a bulletin board race-track when classrooms achieve 96% or better attendance. At the end of the year, the classroom with the most race cars will win a prize. Karen visits classrooms with lower attendance rates to teach attendance principles and help students understand why regular attendance is so important. Well done Karen!
|
|
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT NORTHWEST
|
|
Excitement and Excellent Attendance
Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor, Mrs. Krista Conley creates enthusiasm and excitement for excellent attendance everywhere she goes. Every day is a great day to be at school, on time and ready to learn! This year is Mrs. Conley's first year at Sunny Brae Elementary School. With one day of school purchase PSA time, she implements Pupil Services Best Practices to increase the number of students meeting the District's Attendance Performance Meter goal.
 On November 9, 2015, Mrs. Conley organized six grade level assemblies to recognize 150 Kindergarten through 5th grade students with Perfect Attendance for the First 50 Days of School. During these "50 Days of Perfect Attendance" assemblies, Mrs. Conley celebrated student achievement and discussed goals, careers and college with the students. Parents were also invited to the assemblies and were given a homework assignment to discuss the topic of college with their children. During the interactive assembly, students learned about colleges across the United States and even participated in the UCLA 8-Clap cheer!
As an additional attendance incentive, students were informed that every student with perfect  attendance for the next 50 day period qualified to be entered into a raffle drawing for an electronic toy Mini Cooper car. This special raffle and assembly will take place after the 100th day of school. As a result of the "50 Days of Perfect Attendance" assemblies, the school site council agreed to fund more attendance incentives this year. The school principal, Olivia T. Minjares also implemented weekly "In Line, On Time" random drawings for Perfect Attendance. Mrs. Conley describes that "Encouraging students, families and school staff is my most favorite thing!" She helps Sunny Brae Elementary students soar to success with excellent attendance incentives to increase school community engagement.
|
|
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT SOUTH
|
|
South PSA gets Creative at an Alternative High School
Tysha Esparza, PSA Counselor serves the students of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) Alternative High School two days per week. This unique learning environment targets students at the below-basic and far-below-basic attendance bands. The school also enrolls students up to 21 years of age. Considering YOU's challenges, Ms. Esparza provides many opportunities for student attendance success stories. For example, every week she has a raffle for those students who are on time for an entire week. At least three students receive a $5 gift card if their raffle number is randomly selected. Another distinctive quality about YOU is that they are on the quarter system. Consequently, attendance recognition ceremonies are held every quarter for those students who have 96% or higher attendance rates and have only had 7 or fewer tardies. These students attend a quarterly MVP pizza and nacho party and get one homework pass for any class of their choice. They end the recognition party by having their picture taken that is placed on the MVP photo gallery.
Ms. Esparza also maintains a special program for teen mothers and fathers, as well as expectant mothers. These students can only participate if their attendance rate is 87% or higher. Program members receive various items (shown in picture) that they can use for their babies. During this time of the year, she has them fill out a "wish list", and she uses her donor contacts to fulfill their wishes for this season of giving. Finally, students received a renewed Tap card if they maintained a minimum of 80% or higher attendance rate. Ms. Esparza believes her school is highly effective because last quarter the school boasted having two students graduate! A student she took to the School Attendance Review Board last year, now has a current attendance rate of 93%. Kudos to Mrs. Tysha Esparza.
|
|
|
|
LOCAL DISTRICT WEST
|
|
|
Angeles Mesa Elementary really knows how to "AME" High for Perfect Attendance!
Angeles Mesa Elementary enthusiastically celebrates school wide attendance on a daily basis.  Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor, Nina Burch, has worked hard to motivate her students on the importance of coming to school. The school's anthem, "AME" High for Perfect Attendance consists of monthly themed classroom competitions. November's theme Poppin' for Progress, created a friendly competition between grade levels and classrooms to initiate the race to achieve perfect attendance by the end of the month. Each teacher received a tally sheet at the beginning of the month to track days when their entire classroom was present.
Classrooms that completed the monthly goal were rewarded with fun and health conscious classroom wide incentives, such as Popcorn Socials. Since the start of the school year, classrooms have enthusiastically participated in the friendly competition. Mrs. Burch proudly reports that over 60% of the classrooms have demonstrated an increase in student monthly attendance. Kudos to these Angeles Mesa Attendance Angels for aiming high!
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
|
|
ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
|
|
|
The Academic Support and Achievement Program (ASAP) provides targeted, intensive academic support and intervention to improve educational outcomes for identified, high-need foster, probation, and/or at-risk youth. The program provides extended day (afterschool) one-on-one or small group tutoring, implemented by Highly Qualified LAUSD teachers.
On October 27, 2015 the ASAP hosted its kickoff meeting for the 2015-16 school year. The kickoff provided over 40 teacher tutors with an overview of the ASAP program, an understanding of their roles and responsibilities, a review
|
|
|
The ASAP PD covered the topic of Social Emotional Learning and Growth Mindset.
|
of the tutor referral process and a teacher tutor workflow. Since November 2015, 144 students have been matched and the teacher tutors have begun tutoring with the students in the group homes. This year the ASAP program is collaborating with the Group Home Scholars Program. Teacher tutors will work closely with the Group Home Liaison, group home administrators and the student to develop individual student plans for tutoring.
The Health Education Programs-Office of Instruction is also providing professional development for teacher tutors throughout the year. Social Emotional Learning Wellness Facilitators, Hiram Dabbah and Michelle Cauley, provided teacher tutors with professional development in October and December that centered around Social Emotional Learning. The next professional development for teacher tutors is scheduled for February 2016.
ASAP is still recruiting highly qualified LAUSD teachers. Please share with colleagues as applicable. Visit the Pupil Services website to learn more about the
Academic Support and Achievement Program.
|
|
|
|
ATTENDANCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
|
|
|
Attendance Challenge
Manuel Banuelos, Attendance Improvement PSA Counselor works at Hilda L. Solis Academy and Soto Elementary in Local District East. He understands that December can be a challenging month to maintain high attendance due to the increase number of families wanting to take early vacations over the Holidays.
 Mr. Banuelos implemented an Advisory attendance challenge for his students at Hilda L. Solis Learning Academy from December 1st to December 18. Five Advisory classes competed during a three week period to determine which class had the highest attendance percentage. Students in the winning advisory were awarded an individual prize. To ensure that students, parents and staff were aware of the challenge, he posted flyers and posters at the school, sent information home to parents and made PA announcements on a weekly basis. In addition, he conducted weekly advisory visits and provided them updates of their advisory attendance percentage to encourage students to continue working together to reach the highest attendance for the month of December. When individual students were absent, Mr. Banuelos would contact them personally to motivate them to come to school and help out their classmates to win the challenge.
At Soto Elementary, Mr. Banuelos also implemented an attendance challenge that focused on individual attendance. He did an opportunity drawing of toys on December 18th for those students with perfect attendance, where there were 10 winners in each of his Kindergarten classes. Mr. Banuelos's goal was not only to maintain high attendance during the month of December at both of his schools but also move up those students in the Basic, BB, and FBB attendance bands up to a higher band level. Mr. Banuelos couldn't have provided his students and families with a better gift than with something that is priceless and forever, obtaining an EDUCATION through ATTENDANCE.
|
|
|
|
JUVENILE HALL /CAMP RETURNEE PROGRAM
|
|
|
Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court Initiative
|
|
|
Wendy Arreola Cholico, PSA Counselor, Mónica García, Board Member, Judge Donna Quigley Groman and Yazmin Rangel Arias, PSA Aide.
|
Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court Initiative was held on December 2, 2015 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel. Presenters included judicial officers, juvenile justice and child welfare professionals, superintendents from various California Districts, community leaders, and the California Department of Education. The conference opening speaker was a former foster youth who shared her story and struggles with the audience. She also provided examples of how a teacher changed her life and made her realized she "made a mistake but she is not a mistake." Dr. Ramona Bishop, Superintendent of Vallejo City Unified School District, highlighted some the positive changes she has implemented in her district since she came into her position as Superintendent.
As part of the Los Angeles (LA) County panel, Mónica García spoke and highlighted Pupil Services, speaking briefly about the partnership with the School Police and the YouthSource Centers. LA County Judge Donna Quigley Groman and Board Member Mónica García addressed the fact that 46% of detained youth are LAUSD students.
Some of Mónica García's highlights included:
- Pupil Services, specifically the YouthSource Centers' partnership with City of LA and School Police and the Truancy Diversion Program
- Intervention needed to address average of students' 3rd grade reading level
- Graduation rates in 2008 used to be 46% and are now 74%!
- District Attorney Kristen Byrdsong discussed School Attendance Review Board (SARB), teen court, and the efforts to not prosecute families and instead, provide support and interventions
SARB and truancy prevention were also highlighted by Kristen Byrdsong, District Attorney. The Juvenile Hall/Camp Returnee program also provided attendees with the program's brochures, executive summary, and program data. Board Member García, Judge Groman and Jesus Corral, Senior Director of Education Services for the Los Angeles County Probation Department expressed gratitude for the program's participation and sharing of program information and data.
Visit the Pupil Services website to learn more about the Juvenile Hall/Camp Returnee Program.
|
|
|
|
DIPLOMA PROJECT
|
|
|
Diploma Project Counselor at Gage Middle School Collaborates To Implement Programs
Great things are happening at Gage Middle School. The Diploma Project Counselor (DPC), Thanya Acosta-Haro,LCSW, is working with C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California (C5 LA) to recruit applicants for entrance into the program. The 5-year program aims at building leadership skills and inspires students to pursue personal success through higher education. Entrance into the program is competitive, as applications are submitted from over 17 middle schools and only 75 students are selected to participate. Ms. Acosta-Haro received over a hundred nominations from her school and is in the midst of supporting the students with the application process. This is an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity-as program participants benefit from on-going mentoring and participate in college tours and camping trips. Even for those students who are not selected, the application process is a valuable experience-as it mirrors the college application process. Best of luck to all the applicants!
Ms. Acosta-Haro is also collaborating with The "Shoes That Fit" program who has generously donated over a hundred pairs of shoes to Gage
|
|
| Click on the logo to learn more about this organization. |
Middle School. With the help of Erica De La Cruz, Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor; Hector Ibarra, Psychiatric Social Worker and his interns; and Badra Cortes, Counselor, students in need were measured and are awaiting the arrival of their brand new shoes! Ms. Acosta-Haro along with the team, will be distributing the shoes before the winter break begins. Collaboration and Community Partnership is making a huge impact at this middle school. Way to go Ms. Acosta-Haro and the Gage Spartan Support Staff Team!
|
|
|
|
FAMILYSOURCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
|
|
|
A Season of Giving through Collaboration
This year the FamilySource Partnership Program has graciously received numerous donations of toys and holiday baskets to share with students and families serviced through our FamilySource Centers (FSC) throughout the city. With a donation of over $1,000 worth of toys from Mattel from the Richstone Family Center, students throughout the district will receive toys as incentives for participation in educational assessments, workshops and FSC classes. Over 50 families from schools in the South area have also been adopted through the Adopt-A-Family program through Richstone Family Center. Those families will receive gifts from donors in time for the holidays.
 In addition, Ms. Stephanie Vasquez, Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counselor at Youth Policy Institute in Hollywood, collaborated with the Shoes That Fit organization to bring resources to students attending Richard Alonzo Community Day School (CDC). Many of the students enrolled are in foster placement, homeless, residing in emergency shelters, or a transitional living program. Mr. Saravia (shown in photo), a teacher at Richard Alonzo CDC brought it to the attention of Ms. Vasquez that many of his students are in overwhelming need for basic necessities, especially shoes. Ms. Vasquez reached out to Shoes That Fit organization, and expressed the emergency need for shoes.
Within the same week she received a generous donation of new Nike and New Balance shoes. Through the collaboration with Shoes that Fit, Alonzo CDS and the FamilySource Partnership Program, every student in Mr. Saravia's class received a new
|
|
|
Click on the logo to learn more about this organization.
|
pair of shoes. Mr. Saravia shared his gratitude by stating, "I am humbled at the generosity that my students received from Shoes That Fit. My students were thrilled by the gift they received of a new pair of athletic shoes and socks."
Thank you to our donors and collaborators for assisting in providing incentives and basic necessities for our students.
|
|
|
|
YOUTHSOURCE CENTER CITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
|
|
|
Another Partnership Success Story
Bryan Salazar
was referred to the Archdiocesan Youth Employment (AYE) Services, YouthSource Center. He stopped attending school in the 12th grade due to the distance that he had to travel to school and being behind in credits. Upon conducting an academic assessment, the Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor at AYE referred Bryan to enroll into Hollywood Adult School. Bryan became unmotivated to continue his education so he decided to look for employment instead. During his attempt at seeking employment, Bryan realized that it wasn't going to be as easy as he imagined.
Bryan decided then to re-enroll into school. This time he enrolled at Newmark High School where
 he diligently focused on completing the requirements for his high school diploma. He ultimately achieved his goal and graduated from Newmark High School. Once Bryan successfully obtained his high school diploma, he wanted to earn some money so he decided to look for a job. Bryan looked again to the YouthSource Center for assistance but, this time it was the UCLA YouthSource Center (YSC). The UCLA YSC was able to place him in the Summer Internship Program at the UCLA campus. Bryan successfully worked his summer internship in the Facilities Management Department at UCLA, and due to his meticulous effort, Bryan was offered a permanent part-time position with the University.
Due to his internship, Bryan decided to return to community college to pursue higher education in the medical field. Bryan is currently attending Los Angeles Community College and hopes to transfer to a four year university.
Visit the Pupil Services website to learn more about the
YouthSource City Partnership.
|
|
|
|
FOREIGN STUDENT ADMISSIONS OFFICE
|
|
Honoring Foreign Exchange Students
The Foreign Student Admissions Office (FSAO) Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counselors honored the program's foreign exchange students from around the world at their respective high schools to celebrate International Education Week. Pictured below are some of the international students from Narbonne High School, Chatsworth High School, University High School, and Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences. The FSAO PSA Counselors work with the international students on a continual basis to provide support and assist them with overcoming barriers to attendance and acculturation.
|
|
|
|
FOSTER YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
|
|
Graduation Exemption for Foster, Homeless, and Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System (AB 167/216 & AB 1806)
Foster, homeless and youth involved in the juvenile justice system (probation youth) can graduate with the minimum graduation requirements set by the California Department of Education (CDE) if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Student has completed 2 years (or the equivalent) of high school, whichever makes the student eligible
- Student transfers from one school to another
- The student must be in foster care, homeless, or involved in the juvenile justice system at the time of the school transfer
- Student would not be reasonably able to complete the additional district graduation requirements within four total years of high school enrollment.
The CDE graduation requirements include 13 courses in specific subject areas which is equal to 130 credits. The requirement for LAUSD's class of 2016 is 210 credits. These laws were set into place due to the high number of school transfers that these youth experience. This exemption allows these populations to graduate on time with their peers by completing less coursework.
To find out how to determine if a student qualifies for AB 167/216 or AB 1806:
Please contact either the Foster Youth Achievement Program (213) 241-3552, the Juvenile Hall/Camp Returnee Program (213) 241-3512 or the Homeless Education Program (213) 202-7581.
Visit the Pupil Services website to learn more about the Foster Youth Achievement Program.
|
|
|
|
GROUP HOME SCHOLARS PROGRAM
|
|
|
Addressing Systemic Barriers
The Group Home Scholar Program Liaisons work diligently to address systemic barriers associated with out-of-home foster care youth including low school stability, academic disengagement, and under identification of student needs. Sid Tsai, Group Home Scholars Program Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor, recently assisted a middle school student who was transferred into LAUSD with no previous academic records. Mr. Tsai collaborated with the academic counselor to request records and discovered that the student had previously received special education services in elementary school but was voluntarily exited by a parent who no longer held educational rights. In collaborating with the student's social worker, it was revealed that due to the student's academic struggles in the years after exiting special education services, a dependency court judge had ordered the student to be reassessed. Unfortunately, no alternate educational rights holder was designated for the past several months and the assessment was delayed indefinitely.
Every student is entitled to have an educational rights holder to advocate for the student's best interests. For most students, a parent is the default educational rights holder with the authority to make decisions about the student's educational placement including authorizing special educational services. Mr. Tsai collaborated with the group home staff, the student's social worker and attorney to request the appointment of a surrogate parent to make education decisions for the student so that the student's assessment could get underway.
The Group Home Scholars Program staff provides additional attention and support to some of our most vulnerable and disenfranchised students, many of whom have histories of trauma and repeated disappointments from the adults around them. Every student needs to know that there is hope for a better tomorrow, that they are worthwhile and cared about, and that each day is an opportunity to move forward toward achieving their goals.
Visit the Pupil Services website to learn about the
Group Home Scholars Program.
|
|
|
|
HOMELESS EDUCATION PROGRAM
|
|
Program Updates
The Homeless Education Program had a whirlwind of excitement during the month of December. Sponsor a Family was an even greater success than anticipated! One hundred and fifty-two LAUSD families were matched with sponsors and hundreds of holiday gifts were personally delivered by Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counselors and Designated School Site Homeless Education Liaisons all over the district. The event brought out unsurpassed kindness and generosity and our sponsors went above and beyond to make sure that our homeless families had much needed items and a little holiday cheer.
Our program began accepting applications for Sponsor A Graduate until February 19, 2016. This
|
|
|
Shown above are the Sponsor A Family Organizers, PSA Counselors Monica Santana and Ana Quintero
|
project is designed to help homeless graduating seniors cover graduation packages and other senior expenses. We want to encourage all PSA Counselors to start identifying seniors to refer to this program. Please make sure that the homeless students you refer have a
Student Residency Questionnaire (SRQ) on file with the Homeless Education Program and have been properly identified documented in MiSiS.
An additional resource is the
WIN (What I Need) APP and it is available to download free of charge for anyone with a smart phone. This program provides an exceptionally easy to use interface, which includes real time information on important resources such as shelters, crisis intervention, food banks, drop in centers, health care, legal assistance, hotlines, job listings, education assistance, SSI, and transportation. Please share this great resource with colleagues and families you work with.
Visit the Pupil Services website to learn more about the
Homeless Education Program
and to view the
HEP Winter Newsletter
for upcoming events, new legislation and program updates
.
|
|
|
|
CLINICAL SUPERVISION
|
|
|
Who can provide Clinical Supervision?
Pupil Services employs both Social Workers and School Counselors who may each eventually receive various types of clinical licenses. A frequent question that often comes up regarding clinical supervision is whether or not a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can provide clinical supervision to a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and/or a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) Intern or vice versa, if a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) can provide clinical supervision to an Associate Social Worker (ASW). If so, are there any differences? Are there different forms that need to be completed to begin the process? It turns out, clinical supervision may indeed be provided across disciplines but there are nuances that must be kept in mind.
The largest similarity across all licensed individuals is that they must have been licensed a minimum of two years prior to being able to provide clinical supervision. Thereafter, a key point to remember is that there are differences in the training requirements and the necessary forms that must ultimately be submitted to the Board of Behavioral Sciences. For example, LCSWs supervising a MFT or PCC Intern must complete a six-hour supervision training within the two years preceding commencement of supervision and every renewal period while they are supervising. This would not be the same if an LCSW is only supervising an ASW. In that case, 15 contact hours in supervision training is the only requirement prior to commencement of supervision and it does not have to be completed again for subsequent renewal periods.
Additionally, Clinical Supervisors must ensure that they develop a supervisory plan, complete and sign the Supervisory Plan form, as well as complete and sign the Responsibility Statement form for Supervisors specific to ASW, LMFT, or PCC Interns. Finally, there are some limitations in the number of hours that can be gained under the supervision of a different discipline. The BBS website has more information on all of the requirements for supervisors and the necessary forms under the
Supervisor Resource section.
|
|
|
|
FIELD EDUCATION PROGRAM
|
|
|
Intern's Perspective: The Great Work of PSA Counselors
 As an intern from the Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Unit, I have learned and experienced firsthand the importance of support services at our schools and community. Student Health and Human Services staff are an integral part of helping students and our families reach academic success. A school wide district level event in which I was particularly proud to be a part of was "Student Recovery Day". This school wide district event brought many "at risk of dropping out" students back into the schools, which facilitated the process to assist families with the necessary assistance and resources to get them back on track to graduate. It was inspiring to see Student Health and Human Services (SHHS) staff from all departments working together with other LAUSD programs and community partners. In addition to these types of school wide level events, there is the great day-to-day work that is conducted by SHHS staff inside their school and community.
All these services help decrease student absenteeism and increase student attendance, which aids in school and students academic success. Attendance issues greatly affect our students. Research shows that it takes approximately one week for students to catch up on one day of missed school. Therefore, increasing their chances of falling behind and dropping out of school. All SHHS staff wear many hats and this is shown by their tremendous efforts to help our students, schools and community be successful. As an intern, I have seen particularly how PSA Counselors are a major asset to our schools and without their services it may be difficult to reach families and make a difference in our students' life, schools and communities. I am honored and thrilled to be an intern for this incredible unit and am especially grateful to my Field Instructor, America Alvarenga, PSA Counselor at South Gate High School.
|
|
|
|
LAUSD GRAD VAN SERVICES
|
|
|
Pupil Services utilizes the Grad Van as part of outreach efforts to engage students, parents and
the community. The Grad Van provides a unique means of support and information to families across the district, increasing access to school and community resources for families who may face logistical barriers.
Visit the Pupil Services website to access the flyer and the request form for the Grad Van for an upcoming school event.
Please note: A minimum of three weeks advanced notice is necessary. All requests are reviewed carefully and confirmation of the event is based on van staffing and availability.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
