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Support Resources

2024-2025 Alternative to Suspension and Substance Use Support Programs

  • For more information on any of the below Alternative to Suspension and Substance Use Support Programs, contact your school site Wellness Counselor.
  • Language interpretation available for all the below programs with advance notice.

 

Vaping Awareness Prevention and Education (VAPE)
SMUHSD is offering small group sessions in an effort to increase our students’ knowledge surrounding the harmfulness of
vaping nicotine and to empower conversation to support awareness about nicotine use, as well as cutting down and quitting.

  • Group enrollment: sessions run on Mondays for two weeks, 4:15 - 5:45 p.m., in person at the District Office or virtually.

Substance Use Program (SUP)
This group provides the opportunity to enhance critical thinking, inform decision making, raise awareness and foster
ambivalence towards substance use.

  • Group enrollment: sessions run on Tuesdays for four weeks, 4 - 5:30 p.m., in person at the District Office or virtually.

Brief Intervention (BI) for Substance Use
Brief Intervention (BI) is a counseling intervention for students identified with low level substance abuse, a short history of
drug use, ambivalence about changing their drug use, and experiencing few problems with their drug use.

  • Ongoing enrollment: Two brief one-on-one sessions virtually or in person will be scheduled with a trained professional based on student’s availability, with options for additional sessions and an optional, encouraged parent session.

Alternative to Suspension (ATS)
ATS is a strength-based group utilizing restorative justice practices, allowing students to turn their suspension into an
opportunity for learning and growth. Students will increase their awareness of causes for suspension, improve decision-making skills, identify trusted school staff to encourage a supportive re-entry to campus, and receive tobacco and other substance use education and intervention. Healthy Relationships, Consent, Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Social Media Awareness topics will be covered as needed.

  • Group enrollment: sessions will run on Wednesdays for four weeks, 3:30 - 5 p.m., in person at the District Office or virtually.

Alternative to Suspension (ATS) - Flex
ATS Flex is a strength-based group utilizing restorative justice practices, allowing students to turn their suspension into an
opportunity for learning and growth. Students will increase their awareness of causes for suspension, improve decision-making skills, identify supportive school staff to encourage a supportive re-entry to campus, and receive tobacco and other substance use education and intervention. Topics that will be covered as needed include Healthy Relationships, Consent, Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Social Media Awareness. Individual sessions will be offered if groups are contra-indicated. ATS Flex is a during school, on-campus option that is shorter in duration.

  • Ongoing group enrollment: sessions will run on Wednesdays for 1 to 4 sessions/1 to 4 weeks depending on the support needed
  • Sites provide confidential space and device for student to attend the program.

Alternative to Suspension – Dehumanizing Language (ATS-DL)
ATS-DL is a therapeutic group that will explore the student's choice to continue to use dehumanizing language in the
context of the school setting, despite previous attempts by staff to interrupt behavior, and discuss the impact of that choice.

  • Group sessions will run on two Thursdays after school, from 4:30 - 6 p.m., in person at the District Office.
  • Students must attend both sessions.

Additional Family Resources and Support Programs

For more information on any of the below resources, contact your school site’s Wellness Counselor or Social Worker. 

Parent Connect (In-Person)

  • Groups offered in English and Spanish

Designed to help parents and guardians navigate the challenges of raising teens. Whether your student is struggling with school attendance or exhibiting difficult behaviors, we offer tools and guidance to address these issues. Through weekly sessions, you'll learn about topics such as teens and mental health, the impact of technology, effective communication, and setting healthy expectations. Our goal is to equip you with strategies to improve your teen's well-being and foster
a stronger connection.

Parent/Guardian Substance Use Support Group (Virtual)

  • Groups offered in English

This online space is designed to help parents and guardians support their teens who may be using substances. The group provides psychoeducation on substance use and offers practical strategies to improve communication and understanding between parents and their teens. Through shared experiences and expert guidance, participants will gain tools to navigate these challenges while fostering a supportive environment for their teens.

Care Solace: Mental Healthcare Coordination
Care Solace is an online resource with a live 24/7 concierge meant to assist individuals in finding local mental health related programs and counseling services. Care Solace's web-based system works alongside our multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) as a tool for school staff and families to connect with community-based mental healthcare resources and providers. The proprietary care navigation system taps into a vast database of mental healthcare resources to find carefully vetted
local therapists and programs in minutes.

Parent Venture: Free Educational Webinars
Parent Education Series, in partnership with the Peninsula Health Care District and Parent Venture, live stream educational events from prominent thought leaders in parenting, neuroscience, education and well being. Most webinars are offered in English with simultaneous Spanish translation. Visit the Parent Venture YouTube channel to view previously recorded webinars, subscribe for their newsletter to stay updated on new content and resources.