Reaching Out is a special support program for Deerfield High School students and their families who are experiencing difficulties that are interfering with the student’s school progress. Recognizing that each student presents with a unique set of needs, the program offers a variety of social/emotional and academic supports that can be accessed on a short-term or long-term basis to promote emotional well-being and school functioning.
Reaching Out was originally developed in 1985 as an aftercare program designed to provide both emotional and academic support to students and their families following a psychiatric hospitalization. Since that time, Reaching Out has become an integral part of the Deerfield High School community expanding its services to include the general population of students, not only those in treatment, by providing a full complement of services to students and their families, ranging from primary prevention to aftercare assistance.
Reaching Out staff members work collaboratively with students and parents to identify individual needs and develop an appropriate support plan for each student to realize success at school. The program offers a variety of services relative to student support, family support and academic support.
Program Components: |
Student Support
Individual Counseling
Counseling is provided by a social worker or psychologist on a weekly or as needed basis to support students as they work on personal and academic goals.Student Group
The student group meets on a weekly basis and is facilitated by Reaching Out staff members. The group provides a forum for students to support one another as they address personal and school related issues.Reaching Out Room
The Reaching Out Room is located in the Counseling Center amidst the Reaching Out staff offices. Reaching Out has an open-door policy and students are encouraged to come to the area at any time, if they need immediate support. Support is provided by Reaching Out staff in order to help the student resume their daily schedule. The Reaching Out Room is also used by students as a study area, meeting place, lunchroom, hangout and “home base” when students are free throughout the day.Lunchtime Drop-In
Students may drop into the Reaching Out Room during their lunch periods for support or conversation with peers and Reaching Out staff.Collaboration with Outpatient Service Providers
It is often helpful to collaborate with outpatient service providers when students are also receiving counseling outside of school. If this appears to be beneficial based on conversations between parents, students and Reaching Out staff, contact will be made in an effort to better coordinate services and support student needs.Support for Transitions
Hospitalizations
When students are hospitalized, The Reaching Out Program Director will serve as the liaison between the school and the hospital program to coordinate the educational services. Academic work will be gathered and forwarded to the hospital. The Director will also meet with the student at the hospital to share information regarding available school supports, to aid in the transition back to school, including the Reaching Out Program. A reentry conference is held with the student, parents and guidance counselor. Together, a support plan will be created which may include involvement in Reaching Out.School Reluctance
Reaching Out staff will work with students and parents to assess school reluctance when students have consistent difficulty attending school, staying at school or attending classes. Support may include daily check-in meetings with the student and/or contact with parents, use of the Reaching Out Room to assist in the transition back to school or class, and home visits are available at the request of parents.
Family Support
Parent Group
The Parent Group, facilitated by Reaching Out staff members, meets once a month and provides parents with specific information regarding typical parenting issues as well as the opportunity to meet and discuss common concerns with other parents and to share resources.Collaboration with Parents
Ongoing collaboration with parents is essential for student progress to be achieved. This may be accomplished through periodic phone contact, monthly parent group meetings and/or individual meetings with parents.Coordination of Home/School Interventions
Reaching Out staff members can be helpful in coordinating behavioral plans between the family, teachers and support staff.
Academic Support
The Learning Assistance Program
Reaching Out students in need of academic support may receive this through the Learning Assistance Program (LAP). LAP is a mainstream academic support program that helps students to develop strategies for organization, study, test-taking, self-advocacy and general learning skills. Students set goals upon entering LAP and they receive support and guidance as they work to become more successful learners. Reaching Out students will be scheduled into LAP 2-4 times per week during a free period.Collaboration and Advocacy with Teachers
Reaching Out staff members work closely with the faculty to promote understanding and awareness of individual student needs while learning about teacher expectations in order to create an appropriate plan for each class. At times, alternate arrangements and assignments are created in collaboration with the teacher, if the student’s academic functioning if impacted by the personal issues he/she is addressing through the support of Reaching Out. These situations are monitored closely with the student and teacher to ensure that an appropriate plan is in place.As students gain more confidence and experience collaborating with teachers, their self-advocacy skills improve and they are able to take a more active role in addressing academic concerns as they arise.
The Referral Process
Parent, Student and Staff Referrals
Referrals to the program can be made by the student’s counselor at the request of parents, students or staff members. These referrals will be discussed at the weekly Red and Gray Counselor Team to determine if Reaching Out appears to be the most appropriate resource for the student. Membership on these teams includes Guidance Counselors, Reaching Out Staff Members, the Learning Assistance Program Director, Social Workers, Psychologists, Deans, Educational Diagnosticians, the Student Assistance Program Director and the Nurse.Students Returning from a Hospital Program
In the case of a student who has been hospitalized, the counselor or parents initiate a referral directly to the Reaching Out Program Director to expedite the coordination of educational services. The Director acts as a liaison between the school and the hospital program, coordinating the academic work and meeting with the student and parents to share information regarding available school supports, including the Reaching Out Program. A reentry meeting is held with the student, parents and guidance counselor and together a support plan is created which may include involvement in Reaching Out. The Director will discuss the referral with the Red and Gray Counselor Teams.Intake and Evaluation
After a referral is made, an intake process is initiated. The Director will meet with the student and parents to discuss the nature of the referral and the structure of the program. If Reaching Out appears to be an appropriate program to address the student’s needs, the student and parents will have an opportunity to generate goals for the student’s involvement in the program. These goals are evaluated with the student and parents periodically to review student progress and determine if more or less support may be needed through Reaching Out or if other building supports are needed.
Reaching Out Staff Members
Amy Hindson, LCSW
Social Worker, Reaching Out Program Director
224-632-3046
ahindson@dist113.org
Sandi McDonald
Reaching Out Program Secretary
224-632-3042
smcdonald@dist113.org
David Grott, PhD
Psychologist
224-632-3332
dgrott@dist113.org
Stacy Halpern
Learning Assistance Program Director
224-632-3047
shalpern@dist113.org