Question #21
What is your plan for progress moving the district forward to help tackle mental health service shortage for our students?
Doyle Costello District #1
I disagree with the current SEL program. I think teachers are on the front lines and see which kids struggle. I would like to meet with teachers, guidance, and students to come up with a plan that can provide necessary help for our most struggling children.
Keith S. Gryboski District #1
In the surveys I have been conducting with my constituents, this is the second top issue of concern. The first being, providing a safe learning environment. This is what ESSR funds should be used for, providing mental health services to our students. Our job as a new board, with staff, is finding the funds necessary to make sure any programs started with these funds, are sustainable.
Elizabeth Moffly District #2
This needs to be evaluated.
Sarah Shad Johnson District #2
We need to commit the resources, which can be done if we make smarter decisions about how money is spent at CCSD. For example, I recently watched a school board committee meeting where three out-of-state consultants were flown in to advise three board members on how to hold community engagement meetings.
It may be that it is difficult to find enough mental health workers, so the school district may need to get creative with recruiting.
Seana J. Flynn District #2
This is such a huge deficit not only for the school district, but for the County, the State and the Nation at large. Educating is the first step. Teachers, staff and students need to be given accurate information about mental illness and its affects. We need legislation that provides consistent and reliable funding for professional training on mental illness across the board. We need legislation that provides consistent and reliable funding for incentive pay for Special Education teachers. We need to find ways to bridge that gap between "education" and "special education" because it is as damaging as the achievement gap is in this County.
Grace Bouldin Cowan District #2
Did not respond
Ed Kelly District #2
Did not respond
EJ Milligan District #2
Did not respond
Grace Bouldin Cowan District #2
Did not respond
Ed Kelly District #2
Did not respond
EJ Milligan District #2
Did not respond
Chris Collins District #3
Hire more mental health counselors
Pam Mckinney District #3
Did not respond
Thomas Ravenell District #3
Did not respond
Ashley Peele District #3
There are not enough mental health professionals in the district currently, and this is a necessary component of supporting the whole student. The board should agree upon satisfactory ratios of mental health professionals to students and ensure Charleston County schools are staffed to that level. Data shows that students success when their emotional-social needs are met.
Courtney Waters District #4
I think the new certification plans the district has are very promising. Helping those who already do the work to receive additional certifications that may also help with their careers is a great solution. Aside from that, I think offering competitive salaries to attract talent is important.
Kevin D Hollinshead District #4
We need to find funding and lobby state government officials for budget improvement.
Vivian S Pettigrew District #5
Tackling Mental health issues for our students is another major issue facing our schools. Mental health counselor's are greatly needed in ever school.
Melissa Couture District #5
Giving districts and especially schools the freedom to spend funds as they need to based on their unique students and needs.
Carlotte M. Bailey District #5
Did not respond
Erica Cokley District #6
Did not respond
Eric Thome District #6
Did not respond
Samuel Whatley II District #6
Did not respond
Lee Runyon District #6
I believe mental health counselors should be appropriately allocated to every school in CCSD.
Sydney van Bulck District #7
Full wrap around services, but that is more than simply a buzz phrase. We have to offer competitive salaries to our mental health workers. There are not enough locally, so we have to find a way to bring them in. We also should be working with our local organizations that come into our schools like Communities in Schools to provide services that we may be lacking in.
Jennifer Mieras District #7
1. Allocate funds to support more counselors.
2. Support funds to allow LCSW to be present in buildings so children can receive mental health support.
3. Teach teachers to be trauma-informed and allow time in daily instruction for check-ins and mental health support.
4. Address teachers' mental health concerns by providing resources for them as well.
Joy Brown District #7
Mental and behavioral health services are a crucial issue facing our district. While attending a school mental and behavioral health conference, I met with people form across the state who have led their districts to have more success. The pandemic has highlighted shortages and problems and we are starting behind the eight ball. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Serving on the Constituent board, I have seen problems in our system that most people are unaware of. We must have open and honest conversations about serving our students who need the most help.
Leah Whatley District #7
Did not respond
Travis Bedson District #8
Did not respond
Helen Davis-Frazier District #8
Many of our present staff members are not educationally trained to address the mental health issues facing minority students. First, there must be adequate legislative funding to increase college preparatory courses in our school counseling programs. Additionally, we must contract with hospitals, mental health facilities, private providers, nonprofit organizations and other social service agencies to combat the mental health issues we are now facing in our school environment.
Doris Johnson District #8
Communication is key, open forum made available for the children to discuss their concerns otherwise group therapy.
Doris Johnson District #8
It present I do not have a plan but I know one needs to be set in place.
I don’t have a plan, but will yo converse with others to develop such a plan.
Darlene Dunmeyer District #8
Mental health service providers are provided by the Department of Mental Health. If there is an area shortage of mental health service professionals, the district can only respond to what is available. Contingent upon need and availability of resources, the district might consider soliciting retired professionals to provide services. Other progress will include consistent transparency and updates from the district to stakeholders about their efforts relative to mental health, for which I will strongly encourage.
Dr. Carol Tempel District #9
The district has documented a need for more mental health support in the schools. In a conversation with James Island Charter High School teachers, it was reported to me that there is a need for at least four mental health professionals (one for each grade level). The district budget needs to reflect the school requests for mental health. With an emphasis on the importance of mental health in schools, it may take a while to recruit qualified people.
Forest Bjork District #9
Did not respond
Graham Smith District #9
Did not respond
What is your plan for progress moving the district forward to help tackle mental health service shortage for our students?
Doyle Costello District #1
I disagree with the current SEL program. I think teachers are on the front lines and see which kids struggle. I would like to meet with teachers, guidance, and students to come up with a plan that can provide necessary help for our most struggling children.
Keith S. Gryboski District #1
In the surveys I have been conducting with my constituents, this is the second top issue of concern. The first being, providing a safe learning environment. This is what ESSR funds should be used for, providing mental health services to our students. Our job as a new board, with staff, is finding the funds necessary to make sure any programs started with these funds, are sustainable.
Elizabeth Moffly District #2
This needs to be evaluated.
Sarah Shad Johnson District #2
We need to commit the resources, which can be done if we make smarter decisions about how money is spent at CCSD. For example, I recently watched a school board committee meeting where three out-of-state consultants were flown in to advise three board members on how to hold community engagement meetings.
It may be that it is difficult to find enough mental health workers, so the school district may need to get creative with recruiting.
Seana J. Flynn District #2
This is such a huge deficit not only for the school district, but for the County, the State and the Nation at large. Educating is the first step. Teachers, staff and students need to be given accurate information about mental illness and its affects. We need legislation that provides consistent and reliable funding for professional training on mental illness across the board. We need legislation that provides consistent and reliable funding for incentive pay for Special Education teachers. We need to find ways to bridge that gap between "education" and "special education" because it is as damaging as the achievement gap is in this County.
Grace Bouldin Cowan District #2
Did not respond
Ed Kelly District #2
Did not respond
EJ Milligan District #2
Did not respond
Grace Bouldin Cowan District #2
Did not respond
Ed Kelly District #2
Did not respond
EJ Milligan District #2
Did not respond
Chris Collins District #3
Hire more mental health counselors
Pam Mckinney District #3
Did not respond
Thomas Ravenell District #3
Did not respond
Ashley Peele District #3
There are not enough mental health professionals in the district currently, and this is a necessary component of supporting the whole student. The board should agree upon satisfactory ratios of mental health professionals to students and ensure Charleston County schools are staffed to that level. Data shows that students success when their emotional-social needs are met.
Courtney Waters District #4
I think the new certification plans the district has are very promising. Helping those who already do the work to receive additional certifications that may also help with their careers is a great solution. Aside from that, I think offering competitive salaries to attract talent is important.
Kevin D Hollinshead District #4
We need to find funding and lobby state government officials for budget improvement.
Vivian S Pettigrew District #5
Tackling Mental health issues for our students is another major issue facing our schools. Mental health counselor's are greatly needed in ever school.
Melissa Couture District #5
Giving districts and especially schools the freedom to spend funds as they need to based on their unique students and needs.
Carlotte M. Bailey District #5
Did not respond
Erica Cokley District #6
Did not respond
Eric Thome District #6
Did not respond
Samuel Whatley II District #6
Did not respond
Lee Runyon District #6
I believe mental health counselors should be appropriately allocated to every school in CCSD.
Sydney van Bulck District #7
Full wrap around services, but that is more than simply a buzz phrase. We have to offer competitive salaries to our mental health workers. There are not enough locally, so we have to find a way to bring them in. We also should be working with our local organizations that come into our schools like Communities in Schools to provide services that we may be lacking in.
Jennifer Mieras District #7
1. Allocate funds to support more counselors.
2. Support funds to allow LCSW to be present in buildings so children can receive mental health support.
3. Teach teachers to be trauma-informed and allow time in daily instruction for check-ins and mental health support.
4. Address teachers' mental health concerns by providing resources for them as well.
Joy Brown District #7
Mental and behavioral health services are a crucial issue facing our district. While attending a school mental and behavioral health conference, I met with people form across the state who have led their districts to have more success. The pandemic has highlighted shortages and problems and we are starting behind the eight ball. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Serving on the Constituent board, I have seen problems in our system that most people are unaware of. We must have open and honest conversations about serving our students who need the most help.
Leah Whatley District #7
Did not respond
Travis Bedson District #8
Did not respond
Helen Davis-Frazier District #8
Many of our present staff members are not educationally trained to address the mental health issues facing minority students. First, there must be adequate legislative funding to increase college preparatory courses in our school counseling programs. Additionally, we must contract with hospitals, mental health facilities, private providers, nonprofit organizations and other social service agencies to combat the mental health issues we are now facing in our school environment.
Doris Johnson District #8
Communication is key, open forum made available for the children to discuss their concerns otherwise group therapy.
Doris Johnson District #8
It present I do not have a plan but I know one needs to be set in place.
I don’t have a plan, but will yo converse with others to develop such a plan.
Darlene Dunmeyer District #8
Mental health service providers are provided by the Department of Mental Health. If there is an area shortage of mental health service professionals, the district can only respond to what is available. Contingent upon need and availability of resources, the district might consider soliciting retired professionals to provide services. Other progress will include consistent transparency and updates from the district to stakeholders about their efforts relative to mental health, for which I will strongly encourage.
Dr. Carol Tempel District #9
The district has documented a need for more mental health support in the schools. In a conversation with James Island Charter High School teachers, it was reported to me that there is a need for at least four mental health professionals (one for each grade level). The district budget needs to reflect the school requests for mental health. With an emphasis on the importance of mental health in schools, it may take a while to recruit qualified people.
Forest Bjork District #9
Did not respond
Graham Smith District #9
Did not respond