BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BELLINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS

TITLE: .6FTE School Adjustment Counselor (TLC Program)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The School Adjustment Counselor will support the social/emotional needs of students in the Therapeutic Learning Classroom. The TLC Program is focused on students at Stall Brook Elementary School who need emotional support in a classroom which will serve as a source of psychological and academic support for students not yet ready to return to their regular classroom. The goal is for students to be given support to eventually transition fully back to their regular education classroom setting.

The School Adjustment Counselor assists students with academic learning by providing counseling to identify and address the social-emotional-behavioral- environmental issues that interfere with the educational process. The School Adjustment Counselor provides prevention, intervention, and referral services for students with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide emotional support to students in a positive environment.
• Facilitate communication between the student and school personnel, and any other agency or provider as needed.
• Maintain records of progress for assigned students.
• Participates as necessary in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 meetings.
• Adhere to and implement state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, as determined by the students’ individualizededucation programs (IEPs) by employing techniques in an overall positive behavioral support system.
• Develop plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow-up of students inTLC program.
• Provide crisis intervention, as needed, for students and those in TLC program.
• Assist in collection of data for providing appropriate classroom interventions.
• Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
• Maintain professional competence by participating in staff development activities,curriculum development meetings, and other professional opportunities.
• Maintain current techniques related to trauma sensitive learning environment.
• Works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, competence in case formulationfrom bio-psycho-social and systemic perspectives, strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and experience in providing crisis intervention and treatment planning.
• Provide consultation to parents/guardians, teachers, and staff on identified issues related to students’ needs, programming, discipline and safety.
• Serve as liaison with community agencies and assists in fostering communication between schools, parents/guardians, and community leaders.
• Refer students and parents/guardians to appropriate community resources to address social- emotional issues.
• Serve on school-based committees to address educational issues, adjustment problems, safety issues, and program development for students.
• Provide staff consultation on social-emotional-behavioral issues affecting student participation in the learning process.
• Provide functional behavioral assessments (FBA) and participate in the IEP and 504 process for students, as needed.
• Maintain required clinical records and conform to school and state regulations/guidelines on student records.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Assumes responsibilities as might be assigned by the Building Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Student Service, and/or designee.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in providing individual and group counseling and social skills services.
• Is knowledgeable of the state and national special education and confidentiality laws and regulations and complies with all regulations and timelines.
• Willing to submit to a medical examination.
• Demonstrated ability to relate favorably with students despite the inappropriate behaviors they may sometimes manifest.
• Must profess a sincere concern for and optimism to assist young people.
• Must be a person with professional competence and personal integrity.
• Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills and well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Strong writing skills.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with parents, students, and staff.

SKILLS/ABILITY:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents, administrators.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of and ability to implement social skills groups.
• Ability to implement and utilize positive behavioral intervention strategies.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES and/or DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

• MA DESE School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor (All Levels) Required
• Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMHC) Preferred
• Must submit a valid license to practice in the State of Massachusetts SEI Endorsement Course Required.

SALARY: Per BTA Contract

CLASSIFICATION: BTA

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

You are required to be physically capable of escorting students from the building in case of a practice drill or emergency situation in a safe and timely fashion.

Must be able to move about the classroom and have the ability to bend, sit or stand frequently.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Assigned students

OUR MISSION:

The Bellingham Public School District’s enrollment is approximately 1,930 students and an organizational staff of 400 employees. The district is split into the following building grade levels:

DiPietro Elementary (Preschool – Grade 3), Stall Brook Elementary (Preschool – Grade 3) Bellingham Memorial School (grades 4-7) and Bellingham High School (grades 8-12), and Keough Memorial Academy (grades 7-12) is our therapeutic day school for students with special needs.

Our core mission is to foster an environment in which students and staff have opportunities to reach their full potential. The Bellingham School District is committed to providing a challenging and academically motivating education where all students, staff and families accept responsibility for education within their schools.

The School Committee and the Administrative Team support the District Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan. Our goal is to always reach for our vision: The Bellingham Public Schools, in collaboration with students, their families, and the community, will provide a safe learning environment, where the unique strengths of every learner are enhanced and celebrated. We will work together to build a shared sense of pride in the Bellingham Public Schools by amplifying academic excellence, increasing communication, cultivating a positive climate, improving social and emotional well-being, and enhancing technology use and implementation.