R10 Counselor Conversations
Twenty-Seventh Edition: March 2022
There is a wise proverb that says, "Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Each year as we eagerly await spring, we look forward to this time of refreshing after a long, cold winter season. Just as you you give to the students and staff on your campus, devoting your time to the refreshment of others, may you yourself be refreshed as well this spring.
We recently spent a few days with school counselors across Texas at the 17th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference learning, growing, and collaborating. What a refreshment that was for us! To see so many counselors come together to celebrate each other and the work we all do was powerful. It energized and excited us to begin planning for how to support you, Region 10 Counselors, this coming spring and summer.
*Please fill out the survey below to better inform us on ways you need refreshing this summer.
Growing Together,
Brandi Fennell and Susan Delarosa, Region 10 Counseling Department
Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids
The Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids project are free videos that help students learn relaxation techniques and coping skills that they can use when experiencing intense or uncomfortable emotions. All videos and print resources are available in English and Spanish for parents, educators and students.
“While kids are back to school and many other activities, this is far from ‘business as usual.’ We believe these new resources will offer effective tools — and ignite new hope — to make this and future school years more positive, productive and healthy for everyone.”
— Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, President, Child Mind Institute
Register now to join us for these spring Professional Learning Opportunities
students the first ever Virtual College Access Week! Students can attend live sessions, virtual tours, chat, and schedule meetings with
campus representatives. *SIGN UP TODAY*
CCMR Training You Ready? Creating a Strategic Plan for CCMR!
Monday, Apr 4, 2022, 09:00 AM
904 Abrams Rd, Richardson, TX 75081, USA
JANUARY 31st
and MAY 1st, 2022
Having to cover a class last minute? Need an emergency sub plan? Check out these easy, FREE activities from our CharacterStrong curriculum! Amidst this crazy time, we're striving to help you pre-plan for the uncertainty of having to create plans for an absence or staff shortage.
We hope that these tools assist in filling gaps in planning in order to support you and your students during a time when it's most needed!
3rd-5th Grade Resources
Starter Activity: A Closer Look (15-20 minutes)
Standing Ovation (20-30 minutes)
Video: Kindness Boomerang (10-15 minutes)
I Am Thankful Breathing(5 minutes)
Powerline (15-20 minutes)
6th-8th Grade Resources
Activity Grab Bag (20-30 minutes)
Words from Your Partner's Name (20-30 minutes)
Who Could It Be? (30+ minutes)
Video: Backwards Bike (10 minutes)
Video: Perseverance (10 minutes)
9th-12th Grade Resources
Gnarly Gnames (20-30 minutes)
Truth Tellers (20-30 minutes)
Where's My Puppy? (30+ minutes)
Video: Be My Brother (10 minutes)
Video: The Fist-Bump Kid (10 minutes)
Educator and Student Well-being
The Teacher Self-Care Podcast
Teacher WISE
Classroom WISE
In addition to a free online course on mental health literacy for educators and school personnel, a video library and resource collection are also available!
Safe and Positive Learning Interventions
Do you need a variety of interventions to use in the classroom effectively focused on learning outcomes? Check out this website that includes Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions to support students and your school PBISWorld.com
It can be easy to miss signs of depression in teenagers, especially since moodiness is so common in the adolescent years. And what we think of as depression — sadness and feeling down — often isn’t the whole picture. Irritability and anger can also be symptoms of depression, and they’re frequently misinterpreted. Research shows that teenagers of color are especially vulnerable to getting the wrong diagnosis — or being dismissed as behavior problems — when they show signs of depression and other mood disorders.
This month we feature resources on childmind.org for identifying depression in teenagers, who are often reluctant to share their feelings with the adults in their life, or ask for help. We take a look at how angry outbursts can be a sign of depression, and how treatment can help kids who are depressed feel better and thrive.
(HHSC) has developed a brief survey about children’s
mental health services.
health and substance use treatment for Teen boys and girls
ages 12-17.
RESOURCES FROM THE NATIONAL CHILD TRAUMATIC STRESS NETWORK
In response to the recent shooting at the Timberview High School Shooting in Arlington, Texas, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help families and communities. These resources include:
- For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence
- Tips for Parents on Media Coverage
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting (Also in Spanish)
- Tip Sheet for Youth Talking to Journalists about the Shooting
- Talking to Children about the Shooting
- After the Injury—website for families with injured children
- Health Care Toolbox—website for pediatric health providers working with injured children
Psychological First Aid
The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. PFA Mobile is an app that can be accessed for free on Apple and Android mobile devices. Additional PFA resources include:
- Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) – field operations guide
- Providing PFA-S: For Health-Related Professionals – handout
- Providing PFA-S: For Principals and Administrators – handout
- Providing PFA-S: For School Support Staff – handout
- Providing PFA-S: For Teachers - handout
Disaster Hotline
SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.
and Resources from ASCA, AFSP, NASP, and The Trevor Project. Re-entry is addressed on pp 9 of the guide.
Dropout Recovery Program: Graduation Alliance
Graduation Alliance is a cost neutral solution and requires no upfront cost. The Graduation Alliance program works through the TEA approved optional flexible school day program to allow school districts to reclaim their students and their funding.
Information about Graduation Alliance
Press Release from a district using Graduation Alliance
Contact: Randy Cavazos, VP, Program Development
Graduation Alliance
T: 512-689-9075
Child Abuse and Neglect, Including Human Trafficking, Prevention and Awareness Reminders and Requirements
Student-facing posters that meet the requirements of 19 TAC §61.1051(e) and (f) must be posted in at least one high-traffic area (hallway, above a water fountain, gym, locker room, counselor's office, etc.) on every campus in both English and Spanish. The Texas Education Agency (TEA), in cooperation with Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, has developed posters in English and Spanish that satisfy the requirements of 19 TAC §61.1051(e) and (f).
All educators are mandatory reporters who are required to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect, including trafficking of a child, within 48 hours, per Texas Family Code, § 261.101. As local educational agencies (LEAs) navigate both remote and in-person learning environments, it is critical for teachers and school staff to remain vigilant in their identification and reporting of these concerns.
TEA Guidance in regards to SB 179
Background
Pregnancy Related Services
FindHelp.org is a useful search engine that returns local free and reduced cost social programs, all you need to do is enter your zip code. The website includes organizations that provide baby supplies, maternity care and postnatal care, childcare, and financial assistance for a variety of needs.
See the updated Pregnancy Related Services COVID-19 FAQ (November 2021) and the PRS webpage for additional guidance on testing during remote learning.
Texas OnCourse Academy
Virtual College Access Week
ESC Region 10, ESC Region 11, and VisitDays have partnered to provide your students the first ever Virtual College Access Week!
North Texas students and families will have the opportunity to learn about topics like:
Navigating the admissions process
Applying for financial aid
Preparing for campus life
and more!
Students can attend live sessions, virtual tours, chat, and schedule meetings with campus representatives. The live sessions can be done at home or during the school day during the week of April 11-14, but students will have access for the entire month of April.
Sign up here: https://northtexas.visitdays.com
Monday, Apr 11, 2022, 08:00 AM
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anyone in Dallas County looking to further
their education or grow their career : Assistance completing college applications,
guidance on federal and state aid, including
scholarships, and
assistance completing the FAFSA.
Future Focused TX - FREE Digital Content for Students
Future Focused TX is a collective initiative to help Texas high school classes of 2021 and 2022 in pursuing their post-secondary educational goals, despite the effects of COVID-19. Our multi-faceted approach gives enrolled counselors access to research-based, direct-to-student content packages, as well as engages students directly via social media and other digital platforms. With the right information and support, we believe that Texas students can overcome challenges and stay focused on achieving their college goals.
Financial Aid Resources
Texas OnCourse Financial Aid Resources
Equitable Excellence Scholarship – for US Citizens/Residents
Dream.US National Scholarship – for DACA/undocumented students
What You Need To Know: 22-23 FASFA Updates and Troubleshooting
Have you been experiencing issues with the 22-23 FAFSA? Catch up on the 22-23 FAFSA changes and ways to troubleshoot common issues that you may come across in TxCAN's latest blog post.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA).
DACA status.
Special Education Students and the Financial Aid Requirement *TEA Guidance*
All students who are enrolled in the 12th grade are required to participate in this new graduation requirement, or opt-out using the opt-out form, in order to graduate. The best option for the LEA is to ensure that all grade 12 students satisfy the requirement by completing and submitting a financial aid application or opt-out form.
For the opt-out option, a student or parent/guardian may sign and submit the opt-out form to authorize the student to decline to submit an application. Additionally, under option 3 of the opt-out form, a school counselor is authorized to submit the form on behalf of the student for good cause. Good cause should be locally defined by LEAs and may include criteria determined to be appropriate by the LEA.
Federal Student Aid Resources *English and Spanish*
Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students (Spanish Version)
Check under Loan Information, Booklets and Brochures for more like this.
must meet the following four provisions:
Online TASFA Application will be available Oct. 1, 2022.
counselors or advisers to view, track, or verify the TASFA
status of their students. However, here are some best
practices to assist with this process.
*The DIGITAL SAT Suite of Assessments*
On January 25, 2021 the College Board announced that the SAT Suite of Assessments is going digital. This will begin rolling out in the U.S. in Fall 2023 with the PSAT.
Here is a link to the website about the digital SAT, which includes an FAQ page: sat.org/digital.
Here is a link to the official press release: https://newsroom.collegeboard.org/digital-sat-brings-student-friendly-changes-test-experience.
There was a webinar on January 25, 2021, but if you click on the registration link below you can still access the recording.
ACT Resources
ACT College and Career Readiness Workshops
"Using Your ACT Reports and the Texas Educator Guide to Maximize Student Growth and Achievement" resources:
You may also want to explore the ACT College & Career Readiness Standards as well as the ACT Knowledge Hub. Feel free to contact Rose Gardner with the ACT if you have any questions.
903.217.6021
Region 10 looks forward to providing you continued support. We invite you to join us on April 12 for an interactive CCMR session bringing together specialists that represent all indicators found in CCMR for accountability. You can explore additional advanced academics support at bit.ly/R10advanced.
College Board for Counselors Website
On this site, you can:
- Review Coronavirus Updates for School Counselors
- Access College and Career Planning Resources
- Register for Upcoming and On-Demand Professional Development Webinars
- Check Out our SAT Suite of Assessments and College Board Opportunity Scholarships Program E-Modules
- Join the Online Counselor Community
- Sign up for our monthly Counselor Newsletter
College Board Counselor Workshop 2021— Texas.
Here is the Link to Access the Recording and PowerPoint Presentation:https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1454128&tp_key=524a9ceb13
Texas College Bridge
Texas College Bridge
Texas College Bridge is an online college preparatory program that fits into existing curriculum, satisfies HB5 requirements for college prep courses, and helps with CCMR A-F accountability. Whether you're completely new to Texas College Bridge or have been participating in Texas College Bridge and need a deeper dive, we've got the session for you!
TEA is covering costs for Texas College Bridge through June 2024! Explore the resources below:
Video Overview of College Prep, Texas College Bridge, and Being TSI Meet for CCMR Accountability
College and Career Support - eLearning through Texas OnCourse
Please contact jennifer.gunn@region10.org with any questions you may have.
ADVi / Virtual Advising Project
A chatbot named ADVi – short for “adviser” – uses artificial intelligence to provide on-demand support to Texans looking to attend or return to higher education. Right now, any student in Texas may access ADVi by texting “COLLEGE” to 512-829-3687 or by starting a freshman application in ApplyTexas.
When students sign up to receive messages from ADVi, they receive:
- The ability to ask questions about college 24/7 via text message,
- Backup support from our virtual advisers if a student has needs or questions beyond what ADVi can provide,
- Student-friendly, accurate, and engaging messages about key college access milestones,
- Information and tips to help with their college applications, planning, and financial aid, and
- Resources to help navigate the transition to college.
Learn more at www.askADVi.org.
Region 10 Counseling Consultants
Susan Delarosa, M.Ed.
Email: susan.delarosa@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1216
Brandi Fennell, M.Ed.
Email: brandi.fennell@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1208
We are so incredibly honored to support Region 10 ESC counselors spanning over 80 districts, 55 charter schools and 860,000 students.
Please contact us for support in the following areas:
Legislative Updates
School Counselor Ethics
Crisis Support
Comprehensive Guidance Planning
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Social and Emotional Learning
Apply Texas Account
Transcripts
and much more!
**For Apply Texas access or technical support, please contact Elaine Fackler at elaine.fackler@region10.org