Counseling and Student Services

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    Counseling and Student Services encompasses the program areas of school counseling, school psychology, school social work, Student Support Team coordination and Section 504 coordination and compliance. Some of the services that each area provides are:

    School counselors

    School counselors provide a comprehensive school counseling program that improves student achievement and enhances the academic, career and personal/social development of all students. The comprehensive school counseling program is delivered through classroom lessons, individual student planning sessions and individual and group counseling. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators and other school staff to promote student success. School counselors also provide leadership and advocacy to promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students.

    School psychologists

    School psychologists are specially trained and licensed to provide a wide variety of services that help students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. In collaboration with educators, parents/guardians and other mental health professionals, school psychologists strive not only to create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments for all students, but also to strengthen connections between home and school. Utilizing leadership, advocacy and collaboration, school psychologists promote overall academic success by providing services that enhance the student, school, home and community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. In WCPSS, most school psychologists serve two schools.

    School social workers

    School Social Workers are trained and licensed professionals that provide a link between the home, school and community through support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. School Social Workers engage the school, family, teachers and/or community in a problem-solving process to promote positive change and eliminate barriers to learning. School Social Workers receive referrals from the community, parents, school staff and students when students display poor attendance, failing grades, effects of family crisis and/or emotional and behavioral concerns. 

    School Social Workers can support parents by helping parents understand their child’s developmental and educational needs; providing access to school and community resources; helping navigate special education services; obtaining mental health services; and providing services for homeless families and students placed in foster care. School Social Workers are in all elementary and middle schools, alternative settings and some high schools.

    Section 504 Support

    Section 504 Accommodation Planning in WCPSS is supported at the central office level via the department of Counseling and Student Services. Section 504 Accommodation Plans support students whose physical and mental disabilities substantially limit their functioning at school by providing accommodations that allow them to access their total school experience. These children who have Section 504 plans are not eligible for special education instruction and individualized education plans(IEPs). Children with Section 504 Accommodation Plans are considered general education students who simply require supports that help them attain a free and appropriate public education. Section 504 Eligibility considerations involve a specific, detailed and timely process that school professionals must follow. Each school in WCPSS has one or more Section 504 contacts that can assist with parent questions. 

    The school system is supported via Counseling and Student Services by the Section 504 Intervention Coordinator and the Section 504 Intervention Psychologist. Learn more about the Section 504 Accommodation Plan > 

    McKinney-Vento Services

    The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was passed in January of 2002 to help people experiencing homelessness. Learn more >