Counseling and Mental Health Resources
Available at School
School Counselors
School counselors support the academic, career, and social-emotional needs of all students. They provide short-term student counseling, programming around social-emotional development, and college, career, and future planning.
- Mrs. Amy McKnight, Grades K-6
- Mr. Jason Spelic, Grades 7-9
- Ms. Corrie Madden, Grades 10-12
Confidentiality
The general rules of confidentiality for counselors are very different from those of teachers. Confidentiality is important to maintain a trusting relationship with students.
Students are told that what they tell their counselor will stay in their office unless one of the three things occur:
- Someone is hurting you.
- You want to hurt someone.
- You want to hurt yourself.
Only then will the counselor tell someone to make sure they are safe and healthy. Information is never disclosed to other staff members, parents, or students unless permission is granted. If a student discloses information deemed crucial to a child's safety or well-being, the student is informed that his/her parents must be notified. The exception to the general rules is if the information is court-mandated.
Erin's Law
Ohio’s 134th General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 288 which updated the prescribed curriculum for health education, adding requirements related to child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention and sexual violence prevention. The law includes requirements for student instruction, parent and legal guardian notification and training for school personnel.
- Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, schools are required to provide developmentally appropriate instruction
- Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention.
Amity Elementary grades K-6 will be participating in programming provided by COCA. Curriculum will be shared with families through an email notification in the spring. Deer Park Jr/Sr High School students taking health will be participating in programming provided by COCA in safe dating.
Opting out of Erin's Law
An opt out form will be sent home, as well as sent through email, if you do not with for your child to participate in Erin’s Law lessons.
House Bill 123 (6th grade-12th grade only)
Ohio’s 133rd General Assembly enacted House Bill 123, the “Safety and Violence Education Students (SAVE Students) Act,” regarding school security and youth suicide awareness education and training. This Bill includes requirements for suicide prevention and violence prevention education in addition to education surrounding social inclusion. Beginning July 2023 and each subsequent year, each grade level 6-12 must include at least one hour in each of the following topics…
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- Safety Training and Violence Prevention
- Social Inclusion
Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in suicide and violence prevention.
Grades 6 will be using approved curriculums through Erika’s Lighthouse and Sandy Hook Promise. Lessons will be taught in the 6th grade Health classroom. Grades 7-12 will be using approved curriculums through Erika’s Lighthouse and Sandy Hook Promise, Start with Hello. These lessons will take place in their Social Studies class for grades 7 & 8, and English class for grades 9-12.
Opting out of SAVE students Act
A notice of House Bill 123 SAVE students act will be shared through the should email. If you do not wish for your child to participate in these lessons, you must provide notice in writing to your child’s teacher.
Amity Social Worker
Amity has one licensed school social worker who supports students’ academic and emotional well‑being by addressing areas such as mental health, chronic absenteeism… The social worker is able to deliver individual and group support, crisis intervention, and facilitate restorative practices, while also collaborating with teachers, families, and community agencies to support students and families.
Ms. Megan Marshall
Best Point Behavioral Health Partnership
Deer Park Community City Schools has been partnered with Best Point to provide school-based mental health services to our students for over 10 years. By providing a space at school for Best Point therapists to provide services, we remove the barrier of transportation that some students may face in accessing mental health care. These services are covered through the student’s insurance or private pay. To refer your child, go to https://bestpoint.org/referral/.
Services through Best Point include individual therapy, integrated life skills course (H3 Academy) at the Jr/Sr High School, and care coordination services.
I’Mportant
Deer Park Jr/Sr High School is partnering with I’Mportant Speaking to work with small groups of junior high students. Students in these groups will discuss topics of confidence, social media, peer pressure, conflict resolution, and more. For more information, go to https://importantspeaking.com/.
Available in the Community
Cartwheel
Cartwheel is a telehealth mental health partner to schools. They help kids and families with individual telehealth services, psychiatry and medication management, family therapy and family guidance to support parents/guardians. Telehealth can remove common barriers to mental health support with flexible options that work for busy students, working parents, and school schedules.
MindPeace
If you’re looking for mental health services for your child outside of school and aren’t sure where to turn, search MindPeace’s database of local providers. You can narrow your search by mental health concern, insurance, distance from your home, and more: Search for Community Providers.
Cincinnati Children’s Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC)
If you have mental health questions call 513-636-4124. PIRC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Their website provides information about additional services they provide: Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC).
Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care
Community Resources List
If you need access to other resources - housing, food, job training, disability services, etc. - please refer to our List of Resources for Families in Need. If you’re unable to find what you’re looking for, contact United Way at 211 or your child’s school counselor.
The Parent’s Bill of Rights policy is found in our board policies linked here, which includes the process for resolving concerns with building administrators, as well as the appeal process.