October 14, 2024 - Columbus Day Inservice 

Willow Tree Therapy Services, Edward Blevins 
  • Located in Sparta
  • 12 clinicians supports ages four through adulthood
  • Services include: Trauma Focused Therapy, Individual and Family Therapy, Mental Health Treatment and more
  • Out of network, offers sliding scale based on income 
  • https://www.willowtreetherapyservices.com/

Ginnie’s House, Children’s Advocacy Center, Belle Ward
  • Free therapy services for children experiencing abuse and trauma 
  • Primary prevention services - professional development opportunities offered to educate students and provide trainings for staff
  • Secondary prevention
  • Take It Down - complete three question survey, “upload” photo into database and remove image from the internet.
  • https://ginnieshouse.org/

Lisa Frisbie, New Hope Counseling
See presentation HERE

Project Self Sufficiency, Haley McCracken 
Lincoln Technical Institute, Neil Desormeaux
  • Skills gap, trade careers are in high demand and expected to grow exponentially by 2030
  • Programs include: HVAC, Welding, Electrician, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, etc. 
  • Classroom presentations available to tailor your classroom needs
  • Bus tours every Friday, transportation and lunch included, students will attend a field trip to the Mahwah campus - Free of cost!
  • https://www.lincolntech.edu/

Sussex County Prevention Hub, Tina Aue
  • Counterfeit Pills - children and teens cannot tell the difference between real and fake
  • Students are turning to Zyn products with the recent crack down on vape products
  • Inhalant products trending right now and are available in vape shops
  • https://centerforprevention.org/prevention-services/

Positive Behaviors Supports, Performance Pediatrics, Jenna Engel
  • Occupational, Speech, Physical therapy and ABA services
  • Targeted behavioral supports 
  • Positive behavior supports - individualized strategies to implement before a behavior
  • Provide clear expectations, behavior-specific directions, be consistent and follow through!
  • Functional Communication Training (FCT) a technique that involves training appropriate ways of communicating in place of maladaptive behaviors (i.e hand raising, tapping peer’s shoulder, handing bathroom card)
  • https://performancepediatricsnj.com/

NJ4S, Statewide Support Services
  • Services for pre-k to 12th grade, also serving school staff, parents/caregivers and community members in Morris and Sussex counties. 
  • Free program!
  • Over 17,000 individuals reached throughout 2023-2024
  • Provide mental health and counseling support, bullying prevention, suicide prevention and education for parents/caregivers
  • Contact Tracy Cappiccille at [email protected] for more information
  • https://nj4s.nj.gov/s/

Dr. Corey Homer, SCCC VP of Student Success & Institutional Research
  • 70+ programs offered, new programs include: HVAC, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering
  • 3+1 programming- Partnership with Ramapo College of NJ, students can complete their junior year on SCCC campus at the SCCC rate
  • FAFSA workshops -Every Wednesday, parents can bring their financial information and get individualized support
  • 300+student athletes on campus 
  • Open House - October 19th!
  • Jump Start Concurrent Enrollment opportunities!

Clinician Meet & Greet
  • Jolene Hegarty, LPC (Kittatinny) - Wellness Therapy Services, LLC located in Newton. Works with ages 11+, Specializes in depression, anxiety, grief, etc. Out of network. 
  • Kristel Caffrey, LPC (Fredon) - Ripples of Change Counseling, LLC. Offers telehealth. Works with children through adults.
  • Kris Imbrie, LCSW 18+ years of experience, no telehealth for students, EMDR therapy, out of network, sliding scale for paying out of pocket. Therapy dog!
  • Dr. Christoper Belz, PsyD Located in Sparta. Offers mostly telehealth, Specializes in transgender issues, severe psychiatric disorders, autism, ADHD. Works with ages 10+. In network with Cigna, Medicaid and Medicare! Utilizes DBT therapy.
  • Ginnies House - Jamie and Erin, located in Newton. Free trauma therapy! (DV, traumatic grief, etc.) to individuals ages 4-18. No insurance needed. Trained in EMDR. To make a referral, call 973-579-0770. No waitlist, same week intake and start services immediately. 


Action items
  • Dues $25 to Donna Piccuito, make checks payable to SCSCA.


September 26, 2024

SCSCA Notes
  • Please promote the SCSCA scholarship by implementing a college gear/jeans day for staff in support of National Decision Day - May 1st!
  • Middle School Caring Awards - update counselor/school information and spring break or important dates to avoid for this year's event. Email Danielle Manisa if you did not attend the meeting with this information. Further communication will be provided with criteria to select an 8th grader.
  • High School Caring Awards - Kim Knabb will send further information with criteria to select 12th graders later in the  year
  • Check out Coffee Chats through schoolcultureandclimate.org for virtual school support network opportunities

The Center for Prevention Notes/Updates
  • Youth and Empowerment Summit - October 17th - 25 students from every middle school across the county attend. Looking for more high school mentors to assist with this event, please contact Ashley or Jenn if you have students that are interested. 
  • Need extra resources for your school? (stickers, handouts, etc.) Contact The Center for Prevention!
  • Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week toolkits were sent out last week via email, if you are not on the list- email [email protected] to get on the mailing list
  • “What’s your anti drug?” and “What makes you happy?” initiative handouts and contest information are available on The Center’s homepage and can be printed out for Red Ribbon Week. 
  • NJ recently passed a law banning delta-8 THC and other intoxicating hemp substances and restrict the sale of CBD to only state licensed dispensaries 
  • Check out The Center for Prevention for the most up to date information on the adolescent substance use program. If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected] 
  • Think, Act, Grow (TAG) program - At-risk youth can be referred to this program which focuses on conflict resolution, decision making skills, and anger management. 6-week program opportunities available through grant funding and accepts Medicaid.
  • Anti Bullying Specialist (ABS) meetings held on the first Tuesday of each month! If you need Professional Development hours - reach out to Ashley or Jenn to get on their mailing list for meetings. 

Montclair University Notes (James Anderson - Director of Financial Aid & Enrollment Management)
  • New graduation requirements for class of 2025 - 2027 - students must complete FAFSA or fill out waiver
  • FAFSA available on December 1, 2024
  • Are parents and students struggling with how to complete the parent information portion of the FAFSA? Check out the “Who is my parent” handout for helpful information.
  • Students will receive immediate confirmation that their FAFSA  form was completed via email
  • Students fill out their portion of the FAFSA first, they will then invite their parents to complete their portion of the application
  • It is expected that decision day can remain May 1st for the 2024-2025 year. The FAFSA corrections deadline should be open earlier than last year’s date of April 16th.
  • HESAA provides free workshops, reach out to plan one for your senior parents! Links to various flyers are provided on the website to navigate this process. 

Montclair University Notes continued (Vanessa Devericks - Assistant Director of Recruitment, Undergraduate Admissions)
  • The Center for Social Justice and Diversity is housed on campus to help students feel welcomed no matter their religion, race, gender, etc. 
  • International student applicants are rising!
  • Spring 2025 - flexible calendar will be introduced with more hybrid and online courses in addition to in person classes, starting with business and psychology majors. 
  • Over 80 combined bachelors/masters degrees available! (45 MBA combined programs) 
  • Save the Date - Annual Counselor Workshop @ Montclair State University- Friday, December 6, 2024. Register now!

Sussex Tech Updates
  • Applications open October 1st on Sussex Tech website! 
  • Open House - October 24th! Register now
  • Applications close January 6th! 
  • Only one shop program can be chosen when applying
  • Students can change their mind on their shop choice prior to the interview process. Reach out to [email protected] to make changes. All students who apply will be invited for an interview.
  • Starting October 1st, Sussex Tech will start visiting 7th & 8th grade students at county middle schools
  • *New Program Option for 24-25* - Sports Medicine! Further information will be provided at middle school visits. 
  • Interview FAQ’s
    • Interviews take about two hours and include a small group roundtable with 5-6 other applicants. Students meet with counselors/cst members and then have an opportunity to visit a shop teacher that coincides with their field of interest to complete a hands-on task.
    • What questions will be asked in the interview? 
      • Why did you choose Sussex Tech?
      • Tell us about yourself?
      • How would your teacher describe you?
    • What is expected of applicants?
      • Dress professionally
      • Incorporate positivity in your answers
      • Be on your best behavior throughout your entire time in the building
      • Students do not need to have prior experience in or knowledge of the shop they are applying to!
      • Students must print out form and bring to school counselor for completion
    • What will Sussex Tech look at?
      • Grades from 7th and 8th grade 
      • Attendance record
      • Conduct file
      • 7th grade test scores, 8th grade test scores for 9th grade applicants
  • Tech Trek - November 16th - Registration opened last week. If you have students that want to attend, please sign up! 


Action items
  • Dues - $25 for counselors, $10 for interns. Send to Donna Picciuto, cash or check (make out to SCSCA)
  • Retiring? Please notify Michelle via email as you will be honored towards the end of the year!
  • Columbus Day In Service Day - October 14th at Sussex Tech, RSVP ASAP!