South-Central BOCES received the Colorado RISE Grant:

The COVID-19 crisis has had an enormous impact operationally, educationally, and economically on our P-12 school districts and charter schools, as well as students, parents, and families. Over two and a half years into the pandemic, underserved student populations remain the most at risk for falling further behind or dropping out entirely in the absence of targeted support. This grant is designed to support substantive, data-driven changes that will improve student achievement in our schools and districts who need it the most.

In order to meet mental health concerns of students in rural Colorado SC-BOCES will provide a Mental Health professional across our 12 district high schools, offering the implementation of the Take Five Programming once a week to all students who express desire to participate in the program. This most certainly will not be required of all students.

With the professional being on site once a week, individual counseling to students who demonstrate a need for additional therapeutic support and direction will be provided at no cost to the students or districts.

Take Five is a five-week skill-based program for High School students. The program uses poetry and solution focused approaches to generate mental health tools and access to meaningful social and emotional programming. The five-week model is a short-term, goal-focused, evidenced-based approach that incorporates positive psychology principles and practices to help students construct solutions for their daily lives. The program prescribes tools to empower participants with control of their own mental health. Take Five is designed to show participants that they are capable of managing incoming stressors and that they have a strong community support system that will assist them in times of need.

Converge is a nonprofit organization located in Colorado Springs, CO. The mission of Converge is to use art to meet community needs. The organization leverages creative practices (poetry, art, literature, dance, and music) to provide social work and therapeutic interventions to teens in Colorado Springs, CO and rural Colorado.

To learn more visit: www.convergecs.org

Through Converge we have a partnership with Willow Counseling.

https://www.willowscounseling.com/

SUICIDE PREVENTION: YOU ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO HELP

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents between 12 and 19 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and provide help.

• If you suspect that a friend or loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the Suicide&Crisis Lifeline is available all day, every day. Call 988 or use the hyperlink.

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

COLORADO CRISIS SERVICES

No matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to go through it alone. If you or someone you know wants to talk about any mental health, substance use or emotional concern, Colorado Crisis Services can help, 24/7/365. Just call 844-493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255, and you’ll be connected with a trained professional who will provide free, confidential support, and who can connect you to further resources if needed. No matter your issue or circumstance, this service is for you. For more information, visit ColoradoCrisisServices.org

Safe2Tell Colorado wants every student to know that telling isn't "tatteling/snitching.” Telling is when you need to keep yourself or someone you know safe from threats, harmful behaviors or dangerous situations.

NOT SURE IF YOU SHOULD USE SAFE2TELL? IF YOU DON'T, WHO WILL?

We need your help to improve your school and community. By calling, you can help stop a friend from committing suicide, get another student off drugs, or stop a bully from making other people miserable. If you have information about the following topics, please call.

MAKING A REPORT

To make a report, call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The call is free. You also may make a web-tip or download the Safe2Tell mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Remember, your identity is safe. No one will ask for your name or number. There is no caller ID, no call tracing, no call recording and no call forwarding. We only want to hear your concern and try to help.

The anonymity of all Safe2Tell Colorado reports is protected by C.R.S. 07-197. This means the reporting party remains UNKNOWN by Colorado State Law.