Our Social Emotional Coach is Awesome! Will we be able to keep them for next year?
The SEL Counselor position was initially funded through the American Rescue Plan Act to address the increased need for student coping skills post-COVID. The surge in mental health support for students, emphasized by the Surgeon General, underscored the necessity of these roles. Recognizing their value, ACPS proposed integrating them into the local budget beginning in 2024-25, a move approved by both the School Board and Board of Supervisors.
This decision reflects our commitment to student well-being. With this integration, we've enhanced our approach by consolidating resources and expanding our reach. Formerly, we allocated 24 full-time SEL counselors and four Social Emotional Academic Development (SEAD) professionals. Now, we've merged these roles and added two positions to provide targeted support to schools in need, an investment of $2.6 million. Transitioning from a one-per-school model to a model based on enrollment and student need data (DESSA, Panorama Survey, Discipline, Chronic Absenteeism), we're now better positioned to meet the diverse needs of our schools. In the upcoming academic year, we'll have 30 full-time SEL counselors supporting our schools. This expansion is a testament to the trust they've earned from students, families, and staff, as well as the unwavering support of our School Board in prioritizing students' mental health.
Answer by Miles Nelson, Coordinator of Mental Health and Wellness