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 | November It was really great to see all who were able to attend the counsellor collaboration on October 4. Jennifer Gibson of Island Sexual Health offered an excellent session on Healthy Relationships and Consent through the developmental stages. If you were not in attendance, we have mailed out resources to your schools. We are hearing your requests and will do our best to put these suggestions forward for professional development. We encourage ongoing connection with your team, mentors, and colleagues as we are always better together.
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Our theme for this school year is "Healthy Relationships through a Trauma Sensitive Lens."
Our Counsellor meetings offer an opportunity for connection, professional development, and consult and collaboration around individual students and work. We value this time to connect and have received your feedback about which resources and community agencies you would like to hear more from.
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Thursday, November 17
1-3 pm Virtual Janet Kretz and Katherine English from Island Health will be offering a professional development session on Eating Disorders. Stay tuned for a zoom link invite. | Wednesday, January 18
1-3pm In Person Location: Tolmie Board Room
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Wednesday, March 1 1-3 pm Virtual Stay tuned for a link. | Thursday, April 13 9-11 am
In Person Location: Tolmie Board Room
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Tuesday, May 30 1-3 pm
Virtual Stay tuned for a link.
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Follow up to counsellor collaboration: We had a request for in servicing on the topic of Eating Disorders which leads into our November 17 session offering. Some counsellors requested an outline of roles to share with parents and staff. After considering this, we realized that it doesn't make sense for us to create this as the work can look quite different from school to school. We encourage you to access the BC School Counsellors Association Model below and use the levelled role descriptor to create your own personalized document. Also secondary counsellors, please share your best practice methods for how students schedule time with you. Best practices for notes and record keeping are also offered in this newsletter. Any other requests - please send our way.
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 | Updated in 2021. The Executive of the BCSCA recognized the need for an updated resource that would serve to inform school counselling roles and practices within the province, and which could serve as a quick reference guide to many of the resources that are regularly used by school counsellors. Note: School districts in BC hold the final decision regarding standards and practices of counselling in schools.
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| Best practices for counsellor notes and record keeping
Did you know? All recorded information about a pupil that is either generated or received by school division/district staff is in the custody, or under the control of the school division/district. We know there are only unique circumstances (see below) where counselling notes or records would be requested however, here are some best practice tips for your work.
Landmark case and outcome regarding school counsellors and your notes regarding a student. more info:
Legal Case
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Session notes: Try to keep minimal notes with just enough detail to support your memory and work with the student.
Write your notes with the expectation that others will read them with a critical eye.
Be as specific and precise as possible.
Focus on objective, observable behaviours and statements.
Avoid jargon or diagnostic labels.
Include: Student‘s name, Date, Referral information (from, to), Interagency contacts and results, Presenting problem or concern, Main points or main issues discussed, Relevant information on interventions, Long-term/short-term goals, Indications of progress
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School Counselling Case Files: Exist for some students
Ongoing counselling information (file not required for one-time only counselling events)
Indicates referrals and consultations
Includes sufficient information to allow monitoring and evaluation of services and timelines by counsellor
Includes relevant details to support student‘s needs
Storage of notes:
Notes are best kept in your office and on school premises. These may be contained in a notebook or personal files that are locked in your desk or filing cabinet. Digital notes can be kept on a WDrive with password protection.
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Transition of student support: It is helpful to place a letter outlining counselling supports in the student file. This can outline the dates of service and some strategies that were focussed on as well as your contact if the new counsellor would like to connect with you for consult.
Transition meetings and conversations to highlight students who benefit from ongoing counselling connection may take place over the phone or face to face.
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Confidentiality (BC School Counsellor‘s Association)
Information received through the counselling relationship is confidential. The teacher-counsellor regards such information as confidential and does not voluntarily divulge such information without the student's prior consent.
This statement applies equally to interview notes, tapes of interviews, test data, and any other documents used to assist in the counselling process. Notes are to be kept as part of the counsellor's record, but not part of the records kept in the office of the school.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
BCTF Code of Ethics, 1992
Guidelines for Ethical Behavior of the Canadian Guidance and Counselling Association, May 1989
American School Counsellors‘ Association, Ethical Standards for School Counsellors, 1992
An Ethical-Legal Handbook for School Counsellors, Ontario School
Counsellors‘ Association, 1990
Guidelines for Ethical Behavior, Manitoba School Counsellors Association, January 23, 1992
| EXCEPTIONS: CONSENT: With the consent of the student, the teacher-counsellor may divulge information received through the counselling relationship.
POTENTIAL HARM: If behavior of the student threatens potential harm to him/herself or another person, the teacher-counsellor shall take appropriate action to protect the student and/or the other person.
CHILD PROTECTION: A teacher-counsellor who has reason to believe that a child is or might be in need of protection shall forthwith report the information to the appropriate authorities in accordance with legal obligations pursuant to child protection legislation.
CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION: A teacher-counsellor may consult and collaborate with other professionals for purposes of more effectively helping the student. The teacher-counsellor shall share only such information that will serve the best interests of the
student.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS: A teacher-counsellor may be required to provide records in compliance with the law.
Records of the counselling relationship, including interview notes, test data, correspondence, tape recordings, and other documents retained by the teacher-counsellor, are to be considered professional information for use in counselling, research, and teaching of teacher-counsellors, but always with the full protection of the counsellees. These records shall be available to the counsellee upon request, and the teacher- counsellor shall assist the counsellee to interpret them. Tape recording or filming of an interview shall not be done without the knowledge and consent of the counsellee.
Teacher-counsellors, where they feel that it would be in the best interests of the counsellee to do so, will relate confidential information to parents, guardians,
teachers, or school administrators only with the knowledge and consent of the counsellee.
Teacher-counsellors, when reporting research results and supporting data, will not reveal the identity of the persons used as subjects without their express permission.
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Implementation Opportunity
Communication has been sent out to schools to invite school teams to submit a proposal, which connects to their school growth plan, that will support some release time to focus on implementation of any of the SEL/Mental Health Literacy resources highlighted in the image below. More info
here: LINK
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| A wealth of recommended resources for substance use education K-12 are available on this page. Autonomy, Belonging and Competencies are important protective factors that promote youth wellbeing and positive mental health. The ABCs increase resilience and prevent, delay and reduce substance-related harms.
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ABC - Educational Resources for Substance Use Education
The ABCs of Youth Substance Use is an initiative to promote evidence-based approaches to youth substance-use education in BC schools. Autonomy, Belonging and Competencies are important protective factors that promote youth wellbeing and prevent, delay and reduce substance-related harms.
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There are a host of resources from Kelty Mental Health in the link to access above.
Eating Disorders Program ~ South Vancouver Island Region, Victoria, (C&Y Mental Health, MCFD)
Ages: All Ages
Location: Eating Disorders Program, South Vancouver Island
#302 – 2955 Jutland Rd.
Victoria, BC
Contact: Phone: 250 -387-0000
Fax: 250- 387-0002
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About: Multidisciplinary community mental health team committed to collaboration with youth, adults and families, focusing on resilience and strength.
Program serves children, youth and adults struggling with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Other Specified Eating Disorders.
Provides consultation, intake, assessment, and treatment. Individual, family therapy, family based treatment (modified Maudsley), nutritional counselling and psychiatric consultation. Variety of group therapies including DBT for bulimia and binge eating and RO-DBT skills class for over-controlled Eating Disorders, nutrition, body image and other mental health groups shared with other CYMH teams. | Liaison with family physicians and professionals. Service and collaboration across the care continuum when client requires hospital admission.
Parents: 8 week psycho-education group on Wednesday evenings for family and significant others offered four times through-out the year; monthly family support groups.
Treatment selected is based on consultation with the client, family and team and within the available resources.
Require GP/NP Referral.
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Body image, disordered eating and eating disorders exist on a spectrum. As we grow up, there are many factors that can influence how we see and feel about our bodies. Some people experience difficult emotions, thoughts and behaviours related to body image, food and exercise. In this resource you will find information, support and resources to help youth develop a better relationship with their body, no matter where they are on their journey.
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| Family Smart Events Monthly Online Events for Parents & Caregivers. Join us to watch a video by an expert speaker and talk with other families about what helps. Online events are facilitated by FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Workers. Fall Event Topics:
November - It's Never Too Late: Healing Parent-Child Relational Stress Using Emotion-Focused Family Therapy.
December - ADHD - The Real Deal.
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More Family Smart Parent Workshops
Help For The Hard Times Workshops: These run every month for parents and caregivers whose children have been at the ER or have had a hospital stay for mental health or substance use issues.
Details for 1-hour Workshops:
Session 1: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 1)
Session 2: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 2)
Session 3: How to take care of yourself and your family after a crisis
Session 4: How to find the resources you need
Dates & Times:
November 7, 9, 14, 16, 2022 from 12-1pm
For more information and registration please visit: www.familysmart.ca/workshops
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| Stigma Free Society - Student Mental Health Toolkit
An engaging online website for promoting mental wellness education to youth while providing resources for educators, school counsellors, and parents/guardians.
Here is the link to the website:
https://studentmentalhealthtoolkit.com
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| BC Children's Kelty Mental Health - Back to School: How To Promote Resilience and Set Your Kids Up For Success- Webinar Recording Guided by research in social and emotional development and resilience, this webinar offers caregivers of elementary-aged children useful information and practical strategies for supporting their own and their children's emotional resilience, that can set the stage for success and well-being in the new school year.
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BC Children's Kelty Mental Health - School Anxiety & Attendance Challenges Webinar Series Watch this webinar series to learn about anxiety and related challenges that can be a barrier to attending school, as well as practical strategies for parents and caregivers to help things go more smoothly. Helpful resource to share with staff and families.
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CIRT REFRESHER - November 2 This is an opportunity for school based CIRT teams to connect with District CIRT team members to review the process of a CIRT response when a critical incident takes place within our school community. | VTRA REFRESHER - November 9 Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) is a comprehensive process to assess the level of threat and determine appropriate interventions. This session will review the protocol and purpose behind this important work when concerning behaviour profiles in our youth.
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Support with CB IEPs CB IEP website resources (password: GVSDINCLUSION)
This has links to folders with videos, slide decks, and other resources. It also has links to MyEd supports.
CB IEP Fall Series-we have completed four of the five sessions and are last session will be on Wednesday November 9th at 1:15-2:15 pm. Teams link
CB IEP Open work sessions-
Wednesday November 9th 3:00-4:30 pm at Uplands Campus or Virtual Support (Teams)
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Upcoming opportunities
Lindsay Johnson, Kevin Blecic, and Bonnie Alexander are always eager to collaborate and work together to connect students to opportunities. Please reach out with requests and ideas you may have for a classroom, school, or individual student.
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District Mental Health Team Our work focusses on supporting schools and families with students who present with complex profiles that may include emotional, behavioural, mental health, and substance use concerns. We collaborate with district levelled teams and school teams for the purpose of complex problem solving and integrating supports. This also includes collaboration with community agencies (i.e Discovery, CYMH, Police) to develop consistent interventions to offer increased wrap around support to the students and families that we serve. Professional learning opportunities, snapshots, and newsletters are created to promote ongoing education and resource sharing with colleagues, students, and families. Additional work includes VTRA (Violent Threat Risk Assessment) and CIRT (Critical Incident Response Team) response when these needs arise in our school community.
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District Counselling Team Contact Info: Middle District Counsellor: Monique Moore mmoore@sd61.bc.ca
Elementary District Counsellor: Maureen von Tigerstrom mvontigerstrom@sd61.bc.ca
Youth & Family District Counsellor: Jen Aston jaston@sd61.bc.ca
Indigenous District Counsellors
Secondary Joanne Mitchell jomitchell@sd61.bc.ca
Middle David Davidson ddavidson@sd61.bc.ca
Elementary
Pam Russ pruss@sd61.bc.ca
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Additional Members of the District Mental Health Team: District Principal: Pam Halverson phalverson@sd61.bc.ca
Deputy Superintendent: Harold Caldwell hcaldwell@sd61.bc.ca
Mental Health Resource Coordinator: Marnice Jones mjones@sd61.bc.ca
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