Student Supports

School Psychologist

School Psychologists work to ensure appropriate education for all students.  At DDES, Andrew works in this role by running evaluations, monitoring, building, and ensuring fidelity of individual student plans.  Andrew runs individual counseling sessions and group social skills sessions, conducts Functional Behavioral Assessments to investigate the “why” behind student behaviors, and consults with families following higher needs student assessment.  Andrew can also help connect the dots between medical/behavioral evaluation outside of the school and how our DDES team can best support those students.

School Social Worker

The school social worker provides a wide range of support with the goal of increasing feelings of safety, belonging, regulation, and inclusivity at DDES. Colette, DDES’ school social worker, co-coordinates 504 plans and behavior plans to meet students’ social, academic, emotional, and behavioral needs. Colette conducts individual and group sessions to facilitate student growth, connection, and skill-building in areas like anger management, positive coping, peer relationships, self-esteem, executive functioning, and LGBTQ+ support. Colette supports our school-wide community (parents, teachers, and students) with consultation regarding social-emotional learning, developmentally appropriate interventions, crisis management, and trauma-informed practices. Additionally, Colette is the person you should reach out to if your family needs support connecting to community resources that provide assistance with food, housing, job opportunities, basic-need supplies, or mental health referrals.

School-Based Therapist

DDES is partnering with Jewish Family Services to provide a fulltime school-based therapist. Claire, the school-based therapist, will provide services based on the needs of the students, families, and school communities. These services are provided at no cost to the student or family with a goal to increase access to quality mental health care. They include but are not limited to individual, group, and family therapy; case consultation; case management; assessment and referral; and/or training and education. A small part of our program involves a psychiatrist that assists with assessment, consultation, and medication administration. Families who are involved with KidSuccess have access to JFS’ community resources for stability and other community-based programs. Referrals for students needing individual treatment originate from teachers, school therapists, administrative staff, and parents/guardians. Claire can also support parents by providing information about specific issues their child may be experiencing. Topics frequently include discipline, anger management, conflict resolution, family communication skills, setting limits and problem solving as an ongoing or as needed basis, both individually and in workshops. Claire will be collaborating considerably with the school’s mental health team and school administrators.

Therapy and Student Support Dog

Auggie is the DDES support animal.  This is Auggie’s second year with our crew and he joins us for 2-3 days a week. He spends his days visiting classrooms, greeting students and working in small groups. He helps students and teachers feel happy, calm and confident when they might be worried, sad or scared. 

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