Mental Health Services

Mental Health department members at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES function as part of a multi-disciplinary team on behalf of the students and families whom we serve. More specifically, mental health team members provide direct individual and group counseling services, peer mediation or restorative justice practices, crisis intervention, behavioral interventions, classroom consultation, parent/guardian support, and can assist families by acting as a liaison with community service providers. 

On-going support to the classroom staff and families around a student’s social, emotional, behavioral and/or learning needs also occurs. Additional consultants are sometimes utilized to provide added insight and support to students who may have more involved concerns in areas such as development, behavior, learning, psychiatric and/or substance abuse issues.   

The Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Mental Health Department is comprised of NYS certified school psychologists and dually NYS licensed/certified school social workers. Both disciplines have earned at least master’s level training and studies may include areas such as child development, behavioral intervention strategies, crisis intervention techniques, family systems theory and community resource awareness.  

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), counseling services are available to support students both academically and personally. Students whose districts have identified a need, generally through an Individual Education Plan (IEP), can receive counseling. The student and counselor meet on an on-going basis, as directed by the IEP, to form a therapeutic relationship. Counseling can be provided individually or within a small group setting. 

Through the therapeutic relationship, the counselor helps the student modify attitudes and behaviors that may interfere with school success while helping the student to achieve his/her potential in the follow areas: social, emotional, behavioral, academic. Mental Health staff, in conjunction with classroom teachers, may also conduct social-emotional lessons within the classroom setting separate from IEP status. In addition, any student within an academic program setting, regardless of whether they receive direct counseling, may receive support from a mental health provider if crisis situations arise.  

The counselor and the parent/guardian meet regularly to form a working relationship in order to support the student in his/her academic setting. Goals of the service may include: 

Parent Counseling services must be indicated on a student’s IEP. Parent educational/support groups may also be formed on an as-needed basis for interested parents/guardians.

At times, the needs of a student and a family exceed what can be done through the traditional school counseling mode. Family Support Services is a short-term, more intensive service that is available to work with the entire family unit in a setting that is most comfortable to the family. Referrals for this service must come from a family’s home school district.

Contact:

Department Chair 

160 Wallace Way, Building 9 

Rochester, NY 14624

Phone: (585) 617-2301

Fax: (585) 349-8897