Respond to all 6 students discussion 100 word minimum
*****PLEASE RESPOND IN DEPTH
Due Sunday May 21, 2023
Must Read:
**Please write response as a direct response to the classmate. Please don’t write the response addressing the student as a third person. Correct way to response……
***Example: Hi James I agree with you and so on…..
****Example: Please DO NOT say According to Ashley. Because we’re supposed to respond directly to the student.
*******Practicum II*********
—–> Response 1- Christian
Describe experiences related to any of the following- Student college and career development
One of the groups that I was involved in prior was the PIBL (Pilipinx in Business & Law). Within this group, I was the official mentorship chair for this group, and was working within a pretty large student body. One of my duties was to help others Filipino students with their academic. college, and career planning during and after college. One of the lessons I learned from this position was to have resources ready. A lot of the time, I did not have the solutions for students right then and there, and it was more beneficial to refer them to others that could help them out. Secondly, my biggest event included pairing graduate law students to mentoring undergrad students for a whole year. I learned that having experienced leaders and leaders can pass off much wisdom. Lastly, the most important thing that I learned within my time in the group is that most of the time, students will choose a career path that they are most familiar with. Many filipino students choose the medical field or engineering because of their familiarity of those subjects (many filipino families work in these fields). It is important to expose students of different career pathways in order to help them find a career that they like.
—->Response 2- Stacie
What do you think is the most important characteristic of a school counselor? Whats the most essential characteristic school counselors have that supports a caring/supportive school climate for all students?
In becoming a school counselor, I think many different characteristics are important, but overall, I think that relationships are the most important with all stakeholders, not just the students. Making sure that these relationships are built and fostered will be key to being able to help the students in every way, not just in academics. Being able to actively listen to the students and give them that emphatically ear to show them that I value what they are saying is also important to me. As far as the most essential characteristic, I would say it needs to be something in the area of opinions, not being judgmental, and accepting the students choices, basically becoming a supportive person. We need to make sure that we are creating an environment (school climate) where each student feels heard, safe, and that they have a great support team. Ensuring that we do not try and project or show biases will be truly important, students may ask our opinions, but this becomes a tricky situation.
*****Professionalism and Ethics*****
—->Response 3- Melissa Discussion part 1
Separating a child when an investigation is initiated may be necessary to ensure their safety and well-being. The child can also receive the necessary physical and emotional support to being the healing process of the trauma they may have encountered. Although separation may be necessary it can have negative consequences. It can negatively impact the childs sense of security and attachment to their caregiver. Children who are removed are overwhelmed with feelings of abandonment, rejection, worthlessness, guilt, and helplessness (American Bar Association, 2020). The family may also experience increased stress and trauma due to the process.
Students in foster care face a range of challenges to their educational success, including an increased likelihood of having experienced trauma, higher rates of suspension and absenteeism, and higher rates of school mobility (Californias Students in Foster Care: Challenges and Promising Practices, n.d.). Children in foster care suffer instability because they are at times moved from one home to another and from one school to another. Foster care students can experience disruptions to school attendance, have gaps in academic progress, emotional and psychological challenges, and have difficulty transitioning to adulthood (Californias Students in Foster Care: Challenges and Promising Practices, n.d.).
It is imperative that school counselors gain essential knowledge of policies and referral procedures by staying current on reporting requirements and state laws (The School Counselor and Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention – American School Counselor Association (ASCA), 2021). School counselors have the responsibility to understand child abuse and neglect and how it impacts childrens academics as well as their social and emotional development. In addition, it is important for school counselors to partner with community organizations that work with students that are being abused.
American Bar Association (2020, May 1). Trauma Caused by Separation of Children from Parents. American Bar. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from
Californias Students in Foster Care: Challenges and Promising Practices. (n.d.). Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/california-students-foster-care-
Trauma Caused by Separation of Children from Parents. Americanbar.org. (2020, January). https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/committees/childrens-rights/trauma-caused-by-separation-of-children-from-parents/
—->Response 4- Alexandra Discussion part 1
What are the impact and implications of separating the family unit when a child abuse report and subsequent investigation is initiated?
When a child abuse report investigation is initiated separating the family is supposed to be for the protection of the child but this might be more devastating than helpful. The first factor in how this will affect the child is the length of time they are separated from their family. The longer the separation, the longer the child could deal with issues. Another factor is their age: the younger the child the worse of an effect on their development. These issues could consist of PTSD, health problems, depression, or developmental delays. These impacts lead to a greater chance of them running away, ending up being sex trafficked, or becoming aggressive. If the investigation is initiated and the children are apart from their parents for longer than a week this will be detrimental to their development, especially if it results that the child is not a victim of child abuse. Even if the situation is confirmed to be abuse, keeping the child separated from family might put them in a safe situation but they will need resources to help them stay on track and not at risk.
How may a childs involvement in the foster care and social service system impact them from an educational standpoint?
If a child becomes involved in the foster care and social service system they may be hindered educationally. Although social workers and schools try to stay involved and help the child still academically stay consistent this can not always be ensured. The moment a student is put into foster care their likelihood of graduating from high school goes down, they have a higher likelihood of getting themselves in trouble at school among many other negative effects (P4C Projects, 2020). The achievement also goes down: test scores will decrease every time they are moved to a new home this is somewhat because of the desire to succeed but mostly because as a student is in court or moving they are missing crucial days in school.
What resources and supports are available to the child and family unit that a school counselor should be aware of when abuse is involved?
When a child is put into the foster system there are many new systems involved in their life of this including child welfare agencies, foster homes, CASA volunteers, people who work in the court, and other agencies such as therapists. These are going to be the new people involved in a student’s life when they are separated from their parents for child abuse. The resources that counselors can provide to children that are going through these tough stages are The MicKinney-Vento Act where the student can continue to go to school even if they’re transitioning to a new foster family or considered homeless. This would be so a student is able to keep some control over at least one part of their life. Another go-to resource is finding a local mentorship program such as the Boys and Girls Club so there can be a dependable person in the student’s life. There are many more local resources a counselor can give to their students when they are in this situation.
—->Response 5- Ashley Discussion part 2
How does the example from the resource highlight the role of School Counselors and the processes needed to ensure rights are being protected?
“A school counselor’s job is never black and white, but it is less obtuse when considering the prime ethical directive of acting in a student’s best interests. Although the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors speak to the issue of confidentiality, it is important to remember that these issues lie in the hands of the student and his parents, not necessarily with the school counselor.” (Williams, 2010)
If I were the school counselor Tom’s caseworker contacted, I would consult the administration team of the school site to determine what is in his best interest. Sharing his friendships is not a HIPPA or FERPA issue, as these refer to the student’s health records. This scenario is complex as it is not black and white and did not occur on campus. I am also unsure of what Tom and the caseworker or school counselor had previously discussed as it was not mentioned in the text, so I am uncertain if the “treatment notes” would be helpful. Also, what the student shared with the school counselor is confidential unless he is at risk of harming himself or others, so the ethical aspects of this situation may arise.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records at all schools that receive federal funding. When students turn eighteen, these rights transfer from their parents to themselves. For the school to release this information, they must obtain consent in writing unless it is being sent to a new school, utilized for an audit, reviewed for financial aid purposes, subpoenaed by law, sent to juvenile justice systems, and for health and safety emergencies. The FERPA rights do not apply to Tom’s scenario since they are not requesting his records.
One situation I have witnessed where the school counselor had to protect the student’s rights and maintain their confidentiality was after a fight between two students. One parent was very inquisitive about the other student’s punishment, not their child’s. The counselor reiterated the importance of the student’s confidentiality and the inability to share the consequences. Although the parent was upset, the counselor maintained her stance regarding this issue and ensured the parent that the school was taking the appropriate disciplinary actions.
—->Response 6- Corey Discussion part 2
The example in the resource highlights the role of School Counselors by showing the dilemma’s, responsibilities and battles within ones self to do the right thing for the student/s and their families involved. As School Counselors we are first and foremost Advocates for our students and we will help them in any way we can. We must acknowledge that there are certain things that we are able to talk about with others and that there are things that we aren’t allowed to share which is in the best interest of the student. One thing that stuck out to me when reading the scenario is when it said “Neither FERPA nor HIPAA prevents a school counseling professional from disclosing treatment notes to law enforcement, family members or others when the school counselor has a good faith belief that the disclosure: (1) is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of the patient or others and (2) is reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat. This may include, depending on the circumstances, disclosure to law enforcement, family members, the target of the threat or others who the school counselor believes, in good faith, can help mitigate the threat. The disclosure also must be consistent with applicable law and standards of ethical conduct. See 45 CFR 164.512(j)(1)(i).”. This was interesting because in a way, counselors are able to use treatment notes to assist whatever investigation that is going on as long as it is in the best interest of the student and it doesn’t disclose any personal medical information that pertains with the student. In all, I feel that it is at the counselors discretion on what can be disclosed and what can be retained as long as the counselor feels that they are able to prevent or lessen the threat that’s at hand. Battling yourself on whether it is just or not to disclose information in hopes of preventing a threat or lessening the threat can really mess with your own ethics and morals. At this point consulting with your peers vaguely on the situation to possible see what advice they could offer to assist you with the situation at hand.
