WHAT IS S.T.A.R.S.?

(Students Taking A Right Stand)

MISSION STATEMENT:

STARS NASHVILLE WORKS WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES TO HELP ALL STUDENTS OVERCOME SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BARRIERS TO LEARNING.

http://www.starsnashville.org

Hello everyone,

My name is Ms. Guess and I am the STARS Student Assistance Specialist/Counselor. 

My office is located in the Counseling Center,  Room 011, Reginag@wcs.edu.

This fall I will be entering my thirteenth year at Franklin High School as a STARS Specialist/Counselor, but I have worked with teens and families much longer.

 I look forward to serving you and would like you to help identify students that need assistance.  Franklin is a fantastic school. High school is as exciting as it is challenging. We want our students high school years to be great and we want you to know that STARS is here to help when needed.

  WHAT IS S.TA.R.S?

STARS stands for Students Taking A Right Stand.

It is a Student Assistance Program designed specifically to assist students with problems that may interfere with the learning process. 

·        STARS provides confidential, individual or small group counseling to students at no cost.  Individual counseling utilizes motivational interviewing techniques that help reduce resistance.  Research based curriculum are used in groups. The STARS Specialist makes every attempt to meet with the student during the least intrusive class period.

·        STARS  assistance is voluntary.  Students  have the right to request services  and  have also have the right to decline services if they did not initiate the contact: the only exceptions are students returning from the ALC/those who have been court ordered.

·        STARS provides classroom presentations on Teen topics and prevention calendar events, arranges assemblies and promotes other positive activities/events that example the STARS Mission Statement

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WHAT KINDS OF ISSUES DOES STARS ADDRESS?

Students are seen on a variety of issues, to include:

·         Students who are struggling with tobacco/alcohol or other drugs and want to change.

·         Students who have guardian/family members/siblings with alcohol or other drug issues. 

·         Students who are in recovery/returning from treatment/hospitalization

·         Students who evidence depression signs/have verbalized/written  suicidal thought/plan 

·         Students who are teased/bullied/harassed

·         Students who are doing poorly in school/feel disconnected   

·         Students who have peer conflicts

·        Students with incarcerated family/close kin/relatives. 

·        Students who may be  emotional/verbal/physical abused

·        Students who struggle with identity.

·        Students who evidence need for improved social skills

·         Students who have anger/conflict resolution issues

Students impacted by  separation/divorce or non traditional families

·         Anxiety/phobias

·         states custody

·          

·        Students returning from alcohol/drug treatment and want to work a recovery program. 

·        Students who self injure/evidence eating disorders

·        Students who exhibit disruptive behaviors in the classroom 

·        Students with grief/loss issues

·         Students returning from the ALC.

WHAT IS THE STARS SEC (Student Executive Council)?

The STARS Specialist coordinates a STARS Student Executive Council:  a group of students who example the STARS mission statement, are drug/alcohol free, have a peace mentality and serve as peer role models.  SEC members assist the STARS Specialist with all prevention activities or events.    SEC students receive leadership trainings/peer mediation speaking opportunities throughout the year.  Students who example the STARS mission statement apply for the SEC at the beginning of the school year. 

WHAT IS THE STARS TNT (Teens in Touch)

The STARS Specialist coordinates a Sexual Abstinence based program, pregnant teen and teen parent counseling, abstinence classroom education, individual intervention and maintains a peer panel that speaks to middle school students                                                   

WHAT IS WILLIAMSON COUNTY UNITED WAY YAC (YOUTH IN ACTION COUNCIL) CLUB?                                                                                                                                        High school students across Williamson County come together to raise awareness about the needs in our community.  Students hold meetings plan events, raise money and actually decide to how the money raised will be allocated to local United Way agencies.   Members of the STARS SEC have opportunities to serve on the panel and participate in service learning projects planned by the YAC panel.  This club is open to all students regardless of school club affiliation.  The STARS Specialist works with the YAC Coordinator.

WHAT IS A STARS CORE TEAM?

STARS could not exist in the school without help and is fortunate to have a group of dedicated staff within this school that assist us with keeping our program active. 

The Core Team consists of faculty members (people that you see here everyday that go that extra mile).  They receive professional growth training opportunities on topics relative to teens, refer students and are supportive of the goals and objectives of the STARS Student Assistance Program.  The Core Team advocates to keep a private, confidential STARS office within the school.    The STARS Specialist meets monthly with the team to achieve yearly goals.  All Core Team members have blue signs displayed outside of their  door.                                                                                  

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A CORE TEAM MEMBER?                                                                                                                   

Maintain student confidentiality as it relates to referrals                                                 

Identify students that need assistance and to make the referral                                                                                                                                             

Assist the STARS Specialist with goals                                                                                                         

Attend Monthly meetings after school

What exactly is a STARS Student Assistance Program?

S.T.A.R.S. (STUDENTS TAKING A RIGHT STAND) 

S.T.A.R.S. is a Not for Profit Student Assistance Program.  The Williamson County STARS Student Assistance Program is a nationally recognized Program of Excellence. 

Student Assistance Programs work with the schools to provide intervention via individual counseling and small group participation to students at no charge. 

STARS SAP Specialists work with a trained Core Team of school personnel.  A Student Assistance Program is like a help/counseling center that works in the school environment and with the school

S.T.A.R.S targets problem areas that are barriers to learning and negatively impact student academic, emotional, physical or social performance in school, at home/and in the community.

We are a local United Way designated community program.

S.T.A.R.S Student Assistance Programs currently serves Middle and High School Students, provides training opportunities for faculty and leadership,  service learning opportunities for students and parenting resources such as the Elementary and Middle School research based Strengthening Families Program.  Some of our parenting classes are also hosted by Parent Educator, Jim Williams.

S.T.A.R.S.  promotes a strong “no use” message throughout the school year via posters, announcements, speakers, surveys, events and other related student led activities.

The SAP Specialist utilizes Freshmen/ Parent Orientations, Classroom Presentations, Faculty Meetings, Speakers Open Houses and other opportunities to educate students, parents, faculty, staff and the community on S.T.A.R.S. programs.

STARS utilizes research based curriculums and students participate in data collection at the beginning and end of services.

More on STARS services

During the school year, the STARS Student Assistance Specialist /Counselor will work to identify students who have barriers to learning and may involve them in a variety of activities developed to assist in his/her ability to cope with the social and academic pressures young people may encounter.

Students receive confidential assistance; except in cases that present a hurt, harm or danger to them or someone else.  This distinction is explained during initial sessions by the STARS SAP counselor.  Students have the right to decline services, even if they are referred by the faculty.

Prevention activities are planned monthly and announced to the student body, via Franklin at Five, announcements, email, posters or handouts.

Except in crisis situations, students are encouraged to have a note to see the STARS Student Assistance Specialist/Counselor.

Teachers will be notified when students are seen, but due to confidentiality, will not be told the nature of the visit unless the student gives permission.

AVAILABLE STARS SMALL GROUPS:

INSIGHT for students who are concerned about their own use of alcohol/other drugs.   Students will receive education, guidance and support in learning to be clean and sober.

GRIEF/LOSS: Students will learn coping strategies for dealing with issues of loss: geographic move, death of a loved one, pet. major life change, parental/guardian military service, separation, abandonment/ divorce, incarceration…

CHOICES: An abstinence based group that teaches students how to address their risk factors and survival strategies for a variety of life controlling issues.

CONCERNED PERSONS:  Students will learn coping skills in dealing family members or guardians that are impacted by: addiction/mental health issues/incarceration /blended families/rage…

CONFLICT RESOLUTION/RESPECT AND PROTECT: Students will learn strategies for controlling their anger/peaceably resolving conflicts.

RECOVERY SUPPORT: Students who are involved in a recovery program will receive guidance and support in remaining drug free.

SMOKING CESSATION:  for only students who are serious about stopping smoking or using tobacco related products.  Students receive education on how they are targeted, physical impact on their bodies, coping strategies, guidance and help to overcome their addiction to nicotine.

RECONNECTING YOUTH is for students who desire motivation to do well in school.

CONNECTING OTHERS is for students who would like to improve their social and emotional skills.

***Research based curriculums will be used in all groups and will additionally contain lesson instruction on: Asset building, character education, diversity tolerance, self esteem, boundaries, social skills. 

The following are a few issues that some students struggle with that can be  considered high risk and require supports.

This does not mean that students with other issues won’t be seen; however please understand that students with the highest risk are given priority.

Students will be assessed for their appropriateness for individual counseling or small group participation.  Issues that are outside the STARS scope of practice will be referred to in school or outside resources.

In some cases, parents will be contacted students with referrals to outside services/administration will be consulted.  *****************************************************************************

MORE ABOUT THE CORE TEAM

STARS could not exist in the school without help and is fortunate to have a group of dedicated staff within this school that assist us with keeping our program active. 

 The Core Team receives training opportunities, works to keep a private, confidential STARS office within the school, assist with small groups and supports the goals and objectives of the STARS program.  The Core Team consists of people that you see here everyday that go that extra mile in addition to their role as faculty and staff.

If you are interested in more information on how to join, please contact me.  The Core Team meets once a month at times that are convenient to members.  A Core Team Training for all members is provided during the first semester of the school year.  Parents are also encouraged to serve on the Core Team.  **************************************************************************

For Students

 WHAT IS S.TA.R.S?

STARS stands for Students Taking A Right Stand.

It is a Student Assistance Program designed specifically to assist students with problems that may interfere with your learning process. 

It’s hard to focus when you have problems…sometimes you don’t have someone to talk to or the people you can talk to may be having the same problem as you.  That’s where STARS comes in.

·        STARS provides confidential, individual or small group counseling to students at no cost.

·        STARS is voluntary, you have the right to request services (school board policy) and you have the right to decline services, if you did not initiate the contact.  The only except are students returning from the ALC or court ordered.

·        STARS arranges assemblies and promotes other positive activities/events that example our mission statement.

I DON’T WANT EVERYONE KNOWING MY BUSINESS.

STARS understands your need for privacy and confidentiality.  Ms. Guess will meet with you during school individually (it’s ok to bring a friend to our first meeting if that helps).

WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY? 

I HAVE NEVER MET WITH A COUNSELOR BEFORE.

Anything that you discuss with Ms. Guess is confidential; unless it is determined that what you share could be a hurt, harm or danger to you or someone else, which means your parents or guardians will be contacted.

Don’t worry,  Ms. Guess will fully explain that to you and of course, your options.  There are no hidden agendas (Ms. Guess believes in “keeping it real.”).  Ms. Guess is sensitive to what you may feel like to discuss your problems with a stranger.  Most students find the relaxed atmosphere makes it easier to open up.  There is no pressure.   Remember, services are offered and may also be declined at any time.

WHERE IS THE STARS OFFICE LOCATED?

Currently the STARS office is located in the Counseling Center, Room 011.

 I have an open door policy…usually the office is open. 

HOW CAN I SEE MY STARS SPECIALIST?

It’s so easy.  Just ask your teacher for permission.  Don’t forget to get a note: it’s mandatory!  If Ms. Guess is unavailable please leave a note under her door.  In crisis situations, please see a Core Team Member….explained in more detail as you read on.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Your STARS counselor will use your schedule to locate you.  Crisis situations are given top priority.  Students are seen as quickly as possible.  Ms. Guess appreciates reminders too.

WHAT IS A REFERRAL?

It’s possible this year that Ms. Guess may come to speak with you individually without you expecting it.  Our staff is trained to identify students that may require STARS services and are encouraged to make referrals to the STARS program. 

We have a system in place in our school that the staff can use to make a referral.  Specific problem areas are checked by the staff and the form is returned to Ms. Guess.  Sometimes students are referred to a small group.  If that happens, do not be alarmed. Ms. Guess will meet with you and assess if individuals, groups or outside referral may be needed.   All will be explained at the first session.  We care about you and only want to help you resolve the problem.

WHAT IS THE STARS SEC?

The STARS Student Executive Council is a group of students who example the STARS mission statement and serve as peer role models.  SEC members assist the STARS Specialist with all prevention activities or events. 

SEC students receive leadership trainings/peer mediation speaking opportunities throughout the year.  Students who example the STARS mission statement may apply for the SEC at the beginning of the school year.  If you have served on the SEC at a school previously and want to continue to make an impact with your peers, you may apply. 

Listen up for details during announcements at the beginning of the school year.  You can see me in person/also write me a note to let me know that you are interested.  Meetings will be announced and typically do not interfere with your classes.

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Teachers

How to make a S.T.A.R.S. REFERRAL

STARS also utilizes an internal referral process to identify students who need assistance.  Referral Forms are located in the STARS mailbox (highlighted in yellow).

Please fill out the form (front and back). 

Return it (stapled) to the mailbox or you may also fill the form back as directed above and return it to Shavoncia Watts/her mail box.

Barbara Rogers (STARS Core Team Leader)

Shavoncia Watts (STARS Core Team Referral Coordinator)

Note: Students are asked if they want the referral to know the status of their referral (seen/declined) and have the option of not having this information shared.  The name of the referral is never shared unless the referral makes the request.  ************************************************************************