Yes, a most important use of our tax monies, which I don’t see as double-dipping for schools to receive this form of assistance apart from monies accrued for educational expenses. This is one facet of the new paradigm in learning that we need to embrace, maybe more important than security officers. If kids could confidentially “refer” other kids for counseling, that might help solve some problems that students see from their level (of the playing field). Aside from a “traveling counselor” covering all district schools, I think it’s essential to have one teacher per school with a lighter workload and an open-door policy for kids to pop-in and see them as needed. My grandson attended Gale Elementary, kindergarten – 4th grade, and I remember social worker, Brian Wright, who now shares his time with King school, as a very positive presence for students who needed an ear, a bit of life-skills advice or pep-talk. These early affirming experiences do break down the stigma surrounding “life-counseling”, (help us to feel empowered and motivated to seek further Self-care). ***** Added onto my C.R. response: Keep in mind that in this day of rampant drug abuse (meth, heroine, opioids), many children all over this country have huge emotional problems stemming from neglect and abuse at the hands of substance-abusing parents. We need to do more… to prevent innocent kids falling through the cracks of our diminishing social nets, taking their own lives, hurting others, falling prey to substance-abuse or possibly becoming the next shooters. We need to consciously create the new paradigm! And in that direction, in addition to making more screening and counseling available to people of all ages in our society, we need more Life-skills curriculum from kindergarten on through university to help grow more empowered-feeling, whole adults.
Trish Forsyth Voss
Apr 27 2018
The newly formed Knox County 708 Mental Health Board has monies generated from property taxes; do I believe schools should get a slice of this money for counseling services?
Yes, a most important use of our tax monies, which I don’t see as double-dipping for schools to receive this form of assistance apart from monies accrued for educational expenses. This is one facet of the new paradigm in learning that we need to embrace, maybe more important than security officers. If kids could confidentially “refer” other kids for counseling, that might help solve some problems that students see from their level (of the playing field). Aside from a “traveling counselor” covering all district schools, I think it’s essential to have one teacher per school with a lighter workload and an open-door policy for kids to pop-in and see them as needed. My grandson attended Gale Elementary, kindergarten – 4th grade, and I remember social worker, Brian Wright, who now shares his time with King school, as a very positive presence for students who needed an ear, a bit of life-skills advice or pep-talk. These early affirming experiences do break down the stigma surrounding “life-counseling”, (help us to feel empowered and motivated to seek further Self-care). ***** Added onto my C.R. response: Keep in mind that in this day of rampant drug abuse (meth, heroine, opioids), many children all over this country have huge emotional problems stemming from neglect and abuse at the hands of substance-abusing parents. We need to do more… to prevent innocent kids falling through the cracks of our diminishing social nets, taking their own lives, hurting others, falling prey to substance-abuse or possibly becoming the next shooters. We need to consciously create the new paradigm! And in that direction, in addition to making more screening and counseling available to people of all ages in our society, we need more Life-skills curriculum from kindergarten on through university to help grow more empowered-feeling, whole adults.
Trish Forsyth Voss
By spiritspeak • Community Roundtable 0