Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services
School counseling, psychological, and social services are supports provided to students that address social, emotional, behavioral,
and mental health needs and reduce barriers to learning. A comprehensive approach includes systemic improvements to school
climate and culture and behavioral health supports aligned with the Colorado Framework for School Behavioral Health Services
(2013). This framework focuses on prevention, early intervention, and intervention for student social, emotional, and behavioral
health needs to ensure appropriate supports for all students.
As seen in Figure 7.1, a majority of schools
provide a school-wide approach or program to
support the social and emotional learning of all
students, with elementary schools being the
most likely of all levels to do so (93 percent).
Though also classified as a school-wide strategy
in the framework, the assessment of all
students (e.g., universal screening) is less likely
to occur in schools, with fewer than one-quarter
of schools reporting this practice.
FIGURE 7.1
Percentage of schools with practices to ensure quality counseling,
psychological, and social services
Qualified staff, including school counselors,
psychologists, and social workers, are required
to deliver appropriate supports to students.
Among these three staff types, participating
schools have greatest access to school
counselors. Although a majority of secondary
and combined schools report having a school
counselor for 31-40 hours per week, only 68
percent of combined schools report this as
compared to 89 percent of secondary schools
(Figure 7.2). Furthermore, only 45 percent of
elementary schools have a school counselor
present for 31-40 hours per week, while 29
percent have no access at all.
FIGURE 7.2
Percentage of schools with access to a school counselor
A comprehensive approach includes systemic improvements to school climate and
culture and behavioral health supports aligned with the Colorado Framework for
School Behavioral Health Services
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