Student Assistance Services News
September 2021
Student Assistance Specialists (SASs) have expertise in the mental health and substance use field. They have master’s degrees in Social Work or Counseling and most are licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions as Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors or Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners. As members of the Unified Mental Health Team, Student Assistance Specialists support LCPS initiatives that promote student connectedness, enhance student resilience and educate about mental health and substance use issues. We provide educational presentations for students and parents, restorative practices, individualized and group support, referral services, coordination with providers, staff development and consultation with parents and staff.
To find your school's SAS assignment, visit our website: https://www.lcps.org/StudentAssistanceServices
meet our team!
Blaise Carland, LCSW
I have worked in the mental health and substance abuse field in a variety of settings for 29 years. I am passionate about educating the community with a focus on preventive and proactive measures to combat early addiction. Outside of work I enjoy hiking and collecting watches.
Keith Robinson, MSW
This is my 16th school year in LCPS. I am a Native Washingtonian who currently resides in Anne Arundel County MD. I enjoy being a father and spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy coaching football and helping young athletes develop.
Megan Marshall, LPC
I have been working in the mental health and substance abuse field for a total of 19 years, 15 of which were in outpatient substance abuse with adolescents and adults and the past 4 serving as a SAS in LCPS. I am passionate about educating people about the disease of addiction and the gift of recovery. I love everything outdoors, especially running, swimming, hiking, and climbing.
fiona brown, lpc
I am in my 5th year as a Student Assistance Specialist, having spent 10 years prior in community mental health & substance use treatment and private practice. I enjoy educating students to increase awareness and reduce stigma about people struggling with mental health and substance use. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching sports, getting active and traveling.
kim hager, lpc
Prior to joining the SAS team in 2012, I worked as a substance abuse clinician for Loudoun County for 15 years where a majority of my duties were dedicated to working with LCPS students and their families. I love to help students identify their unique strengths and positive relationships which serve as protective factors to reduce the potential for alcohol/drug misuse. When I’m not working, I like to spend time with family and friends, practice yoga, watch sports and participate in any outside event.
Amy Emery, LPC
I have been working in the field of addiction and mental health awareness for 18 years and have been a Student Assistance Specialist with LCPS for 8 years. Prior to working for LCPS, I was a clinician on the substance abuse team for Loudoun County Mental Health for 10 years. In my free time I enjoy boating, snow skiing, cooking, reading and spending time with my two children.
Darren madison, lcsw
I have approximately 30 years of experience as a counselor in residential treatment facilities, juvenile and domestic court, and 13 years as a Student Assistance Specialist. I enjoy helping students and their families navigate through obstacles that may be impacting their school experience. In my spare time I love to read, coach youth sports, and travel.
amy eways, msw
Hello! Although I’m new to the position of Student Assistance Specialist, I have been with LCPS since 2005. I started my career with LCPS as a school social worker and then transitioned to the Restorative Practices Grant Specialist. I am very excited to join the SAS team and the staff in the Independence High School cluster!
heather rainey, LCSW
I am in my seventh year working as a Clinical Social Worker and in my first year as a Student Assistance Specialist. In my spare time, I love to hike with my dog, Ollie, cook, travel and check out new restaurants.
jashan grewal, lpc, LSATP
I have over a decade of experience working with people who have Co-Occurring Disorders in outpatient and residential treatment settings. In my free time I enjoy going on walks with my husband and son.
imani hagans, LPC
I have been in the mental health field for over 10 years working with clients from all walks of life in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I am passionate about helping people to access and develop their inner strengths. In my personal time, I am focused on spending quality time with my family.
Sara Sherrick, LPC
Broad Run Cluster
I have worked in community mental health in Loudoun and Fairfax, in a hospital behavioral health setting and in private practice with children and adolescents. I am most passionate about mental health/substance abuse crisis management and interventions as well as working from a trauma informed perspective. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my kids; working with ceramics, paint, or embroidery; or playing with my high energy female Labradors.
Suchita Palit, MA, LPC-R
I have spent the last 10 years working in a variety of settings from outpatient to residential and crisis care facilities. I adopted my first puppy earlier this year and have fully embraced the dog mom life. I enjoy quality time with my family, being a foodie, and all things comedy. I'm excited to join the LCPS community!
Upcoming Events
Click to join on 9/23 @ 6:30pm:
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.truthinitiative.org - Tobacco and Nicotine education, advocacy and cessation resources
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
https://starttalkingnow.org/ - Education and tips for parents on talking to their children about substance use
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
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