School Counseling

ASCA Resources

• Planning for Virtual/Distance School Counseling During an Emergency Shutdown - considerations in the provision of virtual/distance school counseling, direct student services, and indirect student services
• The School Counselor and Virtual School Counseling position statement
• Coronavirus Resources – relevant webinars, PD opportunities, virtual school counseling resources, “School Counseling Principles: Ethics and Law”, Magazine Article: It’s a Virtual World, and COVID-19 resources. Note: ASCA had made most resources related to COVID-19 free for nonmembers for a limited time.
• Virtual School Counseling Resources & Ideas - across social media and in the ASCA SCENE, school counselors have shared a number of resources, creative lesson ideas, recommendations for digital learning tools and more. ASCA has curated some of those ideas here.

General Resources

• NACAC College Admission Status Update: Coronavirus Impact - As a service to students and families, NACAC is providing this online tool as a central resource for information about changes in college admission events, deposit dates, and more as a results of the coronavirus outbreak.
• Resources for Online Learning During School Closures - This National Education Association (NEA) web page features several resources, including a list of resources for teaching online.
• ACTE Distance Learning Resources - ACTE (Association for Career & Technical Education) has a web page with distance learning resources, such as career development learning resources and more.
• Adventure 2 Learning Social Emotional Learning - PK-8 resources on bullying prevention, mental health, and mindfulness are showcased on this web page.
• Committee for Children,COVID-19 RESPONSE Resources for Students and Families - Free Second Step Resources
• Guarding Kids - Dr. Russ Sabella, professor of counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University, has lessons and more available for elementary, middle and high school students, as well as staff and parents. Lesson topics cover cyberbullying, digital reputation, and safe tech use. Materials provided: PowerPoints, handouts, video clips, etc.
• Brain Training for Calm and Focus - Training attention gives students greater influence over their thoughts and emotions. In this 22-day course, students complete four 12-minute lessons as well as daily 4-minute exercises. Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education, high school teachers, counselors and administrators can experience the course themselves and share it with as many students as they like.
• Samples School Counselor Letter to Students - This letter is an example sent with packets of schoolwork to students.
• Tools and resources designed for traditionally underserved youth - A list of resources for traditionally underserved youth in the U.S.

Video Conferencing/Telehealth Resources

• US DHHS Notification of Enforcement Discretion for telehealth remote communications during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency - although this resource is specific to medical health providers, it includes the statements below that may be helpful for school districts. School counselors should confer with their district/charter whether resources are appropriate for use.
  The list below includes some vendors that represent that they provide HIPAA-compliant video communication products and that they will enter into a HIPAA BAA.
  • Skype for Business
  • Updox
  • VSee
  • Zoom for Healthcare
  • Doxy.me
  • Google G Suite Hangouts Meet

  Note: DDOE has not reviewed the Business Associate Agreements offered by these vendors, and this list does not constitute an endorsement, certification, or recommendation of specific technology, software, applications, or products. There may be other technology vendors that offer HIPAA-compliant video communication products that will enter into a HIPAA BAA with a covered entity. Further, DDOE does not endorse any of the applications that allow for video chats listed above.

• High School Check-In Google Form - A PDF sample of a high school’s Google Form for requesting distance counseling.
• Middle School Student Check-In via Google Form - A PDF sample of a middle school’s Google Form for checking in with students.
• Request to Chat! Google Form - Screenshots of an elementary school counselor’s Google Form for students to request a chat with the counselor.
• HIPPA vs. FERPA - What’s the difference and who does each apply to? This document helps provide some differentiation.
• Zoom and FERPA Compliance - This provides information on FERPA compliance with Zoom.
• FAQS: Virtual Counseling Ethics - ASCA has compiled topics of use regarding virtual counseling ethics, such as: initial steps & considerations; confidentiality; virtual counseling platforms; personal electronic devices; insurance coverage; and student or school community deaths or suicide reporting protocol
• What’s the best HIPAA-compliant video conferencing software? -provides some guidance and compares several options.
• ASCA Liability Insurance – (For Members) March 19, 2020: Due to COVID-19, many of you may be doing tele-counseling. The coverage provided with the ASCA membership includes coverage for tele-counseling as long it's part of your school activities. The limit is $1 million per occurrence/aggregate and pays after the school coverage has paid.

Sample Web pages

• Humphreys Central Elementary School (HCES) Counseling Support Page - Information on daily counseling, links to videos, activities and more are on this school counseling web page. View the school’s web page with links to other content areashere.
• Humphreys West Elementary School - A home study newsletter, daily home studies schedule, activities and videos are on this school counseling web page. View the school’s web page with links to other content areas here.
• School Counselor Web Page with COVID-19 Resources and Supports - Information on ways the school counseling program will continue during school closure and resources to help students and parents.

For additional support on school counseling - Jennifer Davis