Kelley BinetteKelley BinetteTimberlane Middle School

Danielle PancioccoUniversity of New Hampshire

Who is Kelley Binette?Who is Kelley Binette?Kelley is the Student Assistant

Director for Timberlane Middle School in Plaistow, NH. She has been a Social

Worker for 15 years, graduating from University of New Hampshire for her

Bachelor’s and her MSW. Prior to Timberlane Middle School, Kelley was a

counselor at The Youth Council in Nashua, NH, working with youth and

adolescents.

Describe what you do as the Describe what you do as the Student Assistant Director…Student Assistant Director…

• The Student Assistant Director has “the best of both worlds”. • She helps students cope with stress and anxiety with school or personal issues. • Kelley may help calm the student, decide to send the student home, or in more serious situations, initiate a family intervention and make referrals to outside assistance for the student.• Kelley, the Guidance Department and the school Nurse work together to make the students feel there is a support system.

What is the BEST part of What is the BEST part of your job?your job?

The best part of being the Student Assistant Director is when students

look out for one another. These concerns can be drug use, befriending older students, sexual

activities, etc.

What is the WORST part of What is the WORST part of your job?your job?

Intervention with no action.

It is extremely frustrating to call a family to recommend the student get

additional help and the parents do nothing to help.

What situations do you see What situations do you see troubling a lot of children as troubling a lot of children as

the SAD?the SAD?• Friend conflict/drama• Family trouble (abuse, divorce, substance abuse, jail)• Trauma (rape, other traumatic situations)• Pregnancy and sexual activity• Students feeling they have too many responsibilities• Stress about their family’s financial situations

When you do deem it necessary to intervene with

a family?“Whenever I feel a student is unsafe.”

• Always call DCYF for physical abuse• Always call parents for pregnancy, cutting, depression• Provide resources to the family

How do most parents How do most parents respond?respond?

Most parents are receptive because they do not know what is going on.

…but some know full well what is going on and choose to do nothing

about it.

That always gets me.

Absolutely. If a young person learns they can trust an adult, it tells them there might be safe adults in their future to

trust. Along the way this will impact their ability to solve their problems and will

benefit society if we have healthier kids out there.

As a SAD, do you believe the Social-As a SAD, do you believe the Social-Ecological model is effective? Specifically, Ecological model is effective? Specifically, do you believe working with the individual do you believe working with the individual benefits relationships, the community and benefits relationships, the community and

society?society?

In regards to child welfare, do you In regards to child welfare, do you believe the children are doing better believe the children are doing better

now than they were 15 years ago now than they were 15 years ago when you first started?when you first started?

No. Although the same stuff was going on, I think kids are beginning to get into things much younger and are

dealing with adult problems at a very young age.

Why do you believe the Why do you believe the children are doing worse?children are doing worse?

Parent-Child relationships• Many students wanting relationships with their parents but the parents “just don’t get it”.• Many parents don’t know how to listen to their kids without getting angry with them and their decisions.• Many parents don’t have the time.• Parents and children communicate through yelling, causing a very tense environment.

Who or what do you believe can Who or what do you believe can improve the quality of life for improve the quality of life for

children? For example: parents, children? For example: parents, teachers, after-school programs, teachers, after-school programs,

government assistance.government assistance.

Why not all of the above? I think it is worthwhile if we have to do it one at

a time.

Is there one case that Is there one case that stands out in your mind stands out in your mind

that made you feel like you that made you feel like you truly made a difference?truly made a difference?

• I am sure there are a lot of students who have been helped, but I don’t always know because it may show down the line. • There are students who share things with me for the first time and a lot of tears are shed, so even if for that moment, I know it is helpful.