Printer-friendly version

School Counseling, Physical & Behavioral Health Services

A Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) is an effective system designed to connect health (physical, social and emotional) with educational (cognitive and intellectual) programs. This coordinated approach to school health improves kids' health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities and schools working together.

School counseling, along with services to promote both physical and behavioral health, support the overall CSHP by ensuring that all students receive the direct services they need to participate to the fullest possible extent in the educational program.

 Portland Public Schools employs health care professionals who ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students:

School Nurses

School nurses are a vital component of the educational team.  They provide on-site nursing services, emergency medical attention, medicine distribution, consultation and training regarding management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, participate in special education planning and provide valuable support to the administrator. 

For more information about the program, contact Amanda Rowe at roweaportlandschools [dot] org

School Counselors

Portland High and Deering High School guidance counselors help students choose courses that will lead to graduation and postsecondary goals.  Casco Bay High School’s Director of College, Career and Citizenship and Portland Arts and Technology High School’s Program Developer performs similar functions at their schools.

Portland’s middle school counselors fulfill a very different role. They function more as mental health clinicians and provide crisis counseling, facilitate small student groups, and assist with scheduling and academic issues. 

For more information about the program, contact Susan L. Steele at steelsportlandschools [dot] org

School Social Workers

Social workers provide crisis intervention counseling and facilitate on-going student groups focused on domestic violence, suicide and mental health issues. They report and follow-up on reports of child abuse and neglect, track down truant students, work with parents on student-specific issues, transition students into and out of Spring Harbor Hospital and conduct suicide screenings.  They also function as valuable Special Ed team members. 

For more information about the program, contact Betsy VanBetuw at vanbebportlandschools [dot] org

In addition, Portland Public Schools partner with a number of local, social service agencies:

City of Portland Student Health Centers - http://publichealth.portlandmaine.gov/phschools.asp

The Student Health Centers provide health care services on-site at Casco Bay, Deering, Portland Arts and Technology and Portland High Schools, King Middle School, East End Community School and at the West School.  Services include diagnosis and treatment of minor illness, management of chronic conditions, sports physicals, immunizations, preventive oral health services and mental health counseling. 

Our centers are a partnership between the Portland Public Health Division, Portland Public Schools and Maine Medical Center.

For more information contact Lisa Belanger at LGBPortland [dot] CityHall [dot] gov  

Spurwink Services - http://www.spurwink.org/

Spurwink provides quality services and supports to meet the diverse needs of children, adolescents and adults, and their families facing emotional, behavioral and developmental challenges. Services at Spurwink are based upon determination of clients' strengths and needs, and include education, care and treatment.

Spurwink staff works closely with PPS staff to identify students’ needs and, if appropriate, provides on-site services to students and their families.

For more information contact Barbara Dee at deebportlandschools [dot] org 

Community Counseling Center - http://www.commcc.org/  

Community Counseling Center is one of Maine's oldest and most comprehensive private, nonprofit family service agencies providing prevention, education, treatment and wellness programs. Counselors help clients build on their strengths and develop tools to cope with unexpected challenges, such as divorce, substance abuse, readjusting after war, or overcoming discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Community Counseling Center staff works closely with PPS staff to identify students’ needs and, if appropriate, provides on-site services to students and their families.

For more information contact Barbara Dee at deebportlandschools [dot] org

Possibilities Counseling Services, Inc. - http://www.possibilitiescounseling.com/

Possibities Counseling Services, Inc. provides outpatient counseling and case management services to people of all ages.  Counselors work closely with PPS staff to identify students’ needs and, if appropriate, provide on-site services to students and their families.

For more information contact Barbara Dee at deebportlandschools [dot] org.