News from the SAS Team
Monthly updates on current events, education and resources
Who are Student Assistance Specialists?
Student Assistance Specialists have master’s degrees in social work or counseling and are frequently licensed by the Virginia Board of Social Work or Counseling. They have expertise in the fields of substance use and mental health. As members of the Unified Mental Health Team, Student Assistance Specialists advance LCPS initiatives of Substance Use Prevention, Social Emotional Learning and Suicide Prevention through K-12 education, support, prevention, intervention, referral services, staff development and consultation.
Student Assistance Specialists provide services and interventions designed to enhance the social, emotional and academic success of students by helping to address the needs of the whole child. The foundation of these interventions is a strength-based service delivery model focusing on developmental assets, risk/protective factors, prevention education and resiliency skill building.
To find your school's SAS assignment, visit our website listed below.
Email: jennifer.evans@lcps.org
Website: www.lcps.org/Page/1398
Phone: (571) 252-1014
Current Events
Preparing for 4-day Instruction
April 20th marks the start of 4-day in-person instruction for those who selected the Hybrid Learning model this semester. This is an exciting step for students and staff alike and will be a significant change in routine for our students. Even the most positive transitions can carry with them stress and challenge. Students entering the 4-day learning schedule may be anxiously anticipating social situations, routine changes, mask discomfort or health concerns. We have seen our students make incredible changes in the past year and although this change is welcome, it is important to support our students in feeling prepared. Here are some tips for supporting your student as they navigate the upcoming transition:
Ask how they are feeling about the change and what they imagine it might be like.
Normalize the anxiety or stress that comes along with even happy transitions. Transitions are part of life and feeling discomfort in them is normal.
Encourage your student that you believe in their ability to be successful in this transition. Highlight or ask them to highlight past successes with transition. Transitions may look different but the skills used to manage them are consistent.
Plan a daily routine to allow for a sense of predictability. Identify coping strategies to respond to uncomfortable feelings and who to ask for help when needed. Make sure your student knows how to reach out to the School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Counselor or Student Assistance Specialist. These names and their contact information can be found on each school's website.
Flexibility allows us to review the effectiveness of our plan and make adjustments accordingly. Check in with your student about how they're navigating the change and anything they might need to continue moving forward.
By walking your student through these steps, you will not only help them prepare today, you will prepare them for a way of responding to future life transitions. Reach out to your school's Unified Mental Health Team members if you or your student would like additional support.
Preventing Substance Use Upon Return to School
UPCOMING EVENTS
What Parents Need to Know: Legalization of Marijuana & Potential Impact on Teens
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98532583605?pwd=Z1psaXdnTVVIMXF6SlVPU2ExeVZOZz09
Meeting ID: 985 3258 3605
Passcode: 3FL2bn
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,98532583605#,,,,*764614# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 985 3258 3605
Passcode: 764614
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/atUSFkD7h
Thursday, Apr 29, 2021, 12:00 PM
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What Parents Need to Know: Legalization of Marijuana in Virginia and Potential Impact on Teens
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93143283442?pwd=WWlyN0huNkprYjlHeGdZajQ1Q0ovQT09
Meeting ID: 931 4328 3442
Passcode: Ujz29N
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,93143283442#,,,,*468260# US (New York)
+13017158592,,93143283442#,,,,*468260# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 931 4328 3442
Passcode: 468260
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acahWBwR0z
Thursday, Apr 29, 2021, 06:00 PM
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What's New in Teen Substance Use?
In this presentation, Student Assistance Team members will provide information about current trends in teen substance use and the impact of COVID-19. Strategies for educating and supporting students at home will be discussed.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96295177137?pwd=V2lwYlJKZUd2T01aQVBUOTNqTUFlQT09
Meeting ID: 962 9517 7137
Passcode: A8EhE6
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 962 9517 7137
Passcode: 558252
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adGLHruOBW
Thursday, May 13, 2021, 06:30 PM
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Education and Support Resources
Increase Your Knowledge
https://www.lcps.org/Page/223622 - Parent/Student SUD information
https://www.lcps.org/Page/201540 - Alcohol Information
https://www.lcps.org/Page/184676 - Drug Information
https://www.lcps.org/Page/201538 - Tobacco and E-Cig Information
https://easyread.drugabuse.gov/ - Easy-to-read drug facts
https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/comorbidity/covid-19-resources - COVID-19 & Substance Use
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X20303992—Stanford study on vaping increasing COVID-19 risk
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets - DEA website - drug-specific information, pill identifiers, social media trends
https://www.addictionpolicy.org/addiction-a-z— Addiction Policy Forum website—provides educational videos and articles
Support for you as a Loved One
https://www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org/ - Resource for families
https://drugfree.org/article/online-support-community-for-parents-caregivers/ - Online Support Community for parents/caregivers
https://www.alanondistrict10.org/ - Support for family members of someone struggling with addiction—Zoom meetings
https://www.alanondistrict10.org/zoom-meetings—Support for children of parents struggling with addiction—Zoom meetings
https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/mobile-app/ - Find online Alateen meetings
https://www.addictionpolicy.org/find-help—Addiction Policy Forum website for finding and navigating the treatment experience
Find a Treatment Provider
https://findtreatment.gov/ - SAMHSA treatment locator
1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889
www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline - SAMSHA National Helpline
https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/smart-recovery-online/ - Online Recovery Community: Self-Management and Recovery Training
https://recoverydharma.org/- Recovery community based on Buddhist Principles, virtual meetings available
https://na.org/?ID=virtual_meetings—Virtual Narcotics Anonymous meetings
https://nvintergroup.org/ - Virtual Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
https://www.lcps.org/Page/228303 - LCPS listing of community treatment providers