|
Got a Mental Health Program to share?
In Our SchoolsHealthy Girls InitiativeThe new Healthy Girls Initiative of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. offers healthy lifestyle awareness programs for girls ages 8-14 and their caregivers (usually parents) in South Sarasota County Venice, North Port, Englewood, Laurel, Nokomis, and Osprey). Programs and activities support healthy living from a holistic perspective, focusing on nutritional education, physical activity, emotional/mental wellness, and environmental health. The Healthy Girls Initiative aspires to serve all girls and caregivers of girls in the region through programs during the day in elementary schools, after-school programs with local community organizations, Better Together!, fitness classes, summer camps and retreats, spring break trips, community wellness events, We Can! programs for adults, Girl Scout troop and Pathway programs, and churches. Healthy Girls Initiative is made possible through a grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice and support from Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. For more information: Contact Julia Onnie-Hay at (941) 921-5358 x319 or
by email Sarasota County School Health ProgramThe mission of the Sarasota County School Health program is to promote and protect the health, safety, and well-being of students. The School Health Team is a part of the Sarasota County Health Department (SCHD) and works closely with the Sarasota County School Board. Team members act as a liaison between parents and the school, helping to clarify and interpret medical information and provide medical resources. A registered nurse is assigned to each of the public schools in Sarasota County, though not all schools have full time nurses. School nurses enhance health within the school and community by providing health appraisals, nursing assessments, periodic health screenings (including state-mandated vision, height/weight, and scoliosis screenings), health counseling, referral and follow-up of suspected or confirmed health problems, emergency health services, and promoting activities to reduce risk-taking behaviors. Health education is conducted by the school nurse in both formal classroom presentations, via active boards, and informal small group or one-on-one sessions. School nurses collaborate with parents, teachers, social workers, and other health care providers to develop care plans and identify the need for health referrals to address specific health problems discovered through mandated health screenings and assessments. School Social Workers and PsychologistsSocial workers and psychologists are available in Sarasota County schools to help students in need. School social workers facilitate communication and connection between home and school, working to remove barriers to educational success. Within the community, they help families obtain needed services. Within the school setting, they provide individual and group intervention to children who are experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioral issues which interfere with academic progress. They work with truancy workers, teachers, parents and school staff to address attendance problems as well. School social workers are assigned to several different school sites throughout the week with general working hours Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The school psychologist is academically trained in the psychology of learning, cognition and human development. The school psychologist works with school personnel and families to help create a better learning experience for students. In most cases the school psychologist is itinerant, serving each assigned school at least one day per week
School social workers may be reached: Local Resources
CRISIS LINES
Links to Healthy Tools |
||||||
