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School Counseling
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Mission and Vision
To provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career and personal/social development of all students in grades 6-8. In partnership with other educators, child study team members, the school nurse, school psychologist, parents/guardians, and the community, school counselors will facilitate a proactive support system necessary to ensure that all students at Okeeheelee Middle School have access to, and are prepared with, the knowledge and skills essential to contribute as lifelong, self-directed learners and responsible, productive members of society.
What Do School Counselors Do?
Middle school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills. We implement a school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period. The school counseling program provides education, prevention and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of students’ lives. The program teaches students the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for academic, career and social/ emotional development. We offer individual counseling, small group counseling and classroom guidance. (ASCA, 2019)
Request Services*
Students: Please submit the Request form.
Parents: Please submit the Request form.
*If a student or any other person is in a crisis or may be in danger, do not use these forms. Please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Meet the Team
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Melanie Velazquez, M.S.
6th Grade School Counselor
Phone: (561) 434-3262Luisa Padron
7th Grade School CounselorGuadalupe Betancourt, M.S.
8th Grade School CounselorJuanita Sanchez
ESOL School Counselor
Phone: (561) 969-5725Ece Argain
504/SBT ContactMayra Henry
Social Services Facilitator
Meet the Team
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Cindy Colvin
School PsychologistMark Holmes
School Behavioral Health ProfessionalVania Polanco
Behavior Coach with Support Services from Palm Beach School DistrictPeter Fernandez
Co-located TherapistKaitlyn Johnson
DATA Prevention Counselor
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What is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
Family history of mental health problems
Source: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
Visit the School District's Caring First site for resources on behavioral and mental health.
Resources
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Academic Resources
- Attendance
- Behavioral & Mental Health
- Choice and Career Program
- Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
- Foster Care Services
- K-12 Student Progression Plan
- McKinney-Vento Program (MVP) Homeless
- Florida Virtual School
- Resilience Guide for Parents & Teachers
- School Calendar 2023-2024
- See Something, Say Something, Do Something
- SIS Parent Gateway
- Student Records Requests
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Community Agencies & Resources
- 211: The mission of 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is to connect people to services 24 hours a day by understanding their individual emotional, financial, and community needs and to support the health & human service system as a whole. A free and confidential helpline. https://211palmbeach.org Call 211.
- American Association of Caregiving Youth: Support to youth who are taking care of ill or physically challenged family member. www.aacy.org (561-391-7401)
- ASPIRA of Florida Inc.: Hispanic leadership program, dropout and violence prevention components. www.aspirafl.org (561-533-9790)
- Best Foot Forward, Inc.: One-on-one intervention and support for students in foster care. www.bestfoot.org (561-470-8300)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach: Mentor/Mentee program. www.mentorbig.org (561-337-3057)
- Caridad Center: The largest free healthcare clinic in Florida and one the largest in the entire nation. Caridad offers comprehensive medical, vision, & dental care for the uninsured and underserved children & families of Palm Beach County. www.caridad.org (561-737-6336)
- Center for Family Services of PBC, Inc.: Prevention, child and family counseling, crisis management, and parenting education. www.ctrfam.org (561-616-1222)
- Children's Home Society: Counseling, case management, truancy, ungovernable petitions, and respite care. www.chsfl.org/locations/palm-beach/ (561-868-4330)
- The Chrysalis Center: Outpatient therapy. www.chrysalishealth.com (954-587-1008)
- Families First of PBC: Individual, child and family counseling; case management; and crisis management. Specialty: Behavioral interventions, trauma, family therapy and adjustment issues. www.familiesfirstpbc.org (561-721-2887)
- The Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth: We are a non-profit organization serving uprooted children and families in Palm Beach County for over 30 years. Our mission is to foster a nurturing, stable and culturally diverse environment to empower those victimized by violence to seek justice and to build community. https://www.guatemalanmaya.org (561-547-0085)
- Legacy Behavioral Health Center, Inc.: Targeted case management and comprehensive behavioral health services. www.legacybhc.com (561-616-8412)
- Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County: Individual in-school weekly mentoring, care coordination and referrals, mental health first aid training, free screening for depression and anxiety. Helpline 561-801-HELP (4357) for parents, youth, teachers, school counselors. www.mhapbc.org (561-832-3756)
- Multicultural Community Mental Health Center: Psychiatric, psychological care, and case management (individual and family counseling in English, Spanish, and Creole). www.multiculturalcmhc.com (561-653-6292)
- Multilingual Psychotherapy Center: Individual counseling, case management, individual crisis management and psychiatric medication management. Specialty: ADHD, trauma, grief, child abuse, anger management, bipolar depression. Services in English, Spanish, Creole, French and Portuguese. www.mpcipbc.com/ (561-712-8070)
- PBSO Youth Intervention: Case management/ truancy intervention services - contacting parents of truant youth; brief bio-psychosocial assessments to determine needs; case management including frequent visits to home and school, linkage to community agencies. www.pbso.org/services/countywide-operations/alt-intervention-services/ (561-688-4161)
If a student or any other person is in a crisis or may be in danger, please call 9-1-1 immediately.