Who to Contact• Kristan Garofalo MSCC, M. Ed • School Counselor • 302 697 3255 ex. 3504Kristan.Garofalo@polytech.k12.de.us

Role: Mrs. Garofalo assists students and families in navigating mental health and community based interventions for continuity of care.

• Alyson Gates, LCSW• Mental Health Professional•Bayhealth at Polytech Wellness Center• 302-697-8402Alyson_Gates@bayhealth.org

Role: Licensed Therapist for students enrolled in services who works with clients to provide support, and teach skills for improving mental health and coping with challenges. Can also assist in short term therapeutic services for students and in navigating if a student needs higher level of care or emergency services.

• School Counselors • 302-697-3255Role: Your student’s school counselor can help answer any questions related to educational requirementsand connect students to school resources and supports.

•Hannah Rodriguez, LCSW• Mental Health Professional • Delaware Guidance Services at Polytech • 302 697 3255hrodriguez@DelawareGuidance.org

OUTSIDE AGENCY PARENT GUIDE

*Mrs. Garofalo, Mrs. Gates, and Ms. Hannah are available to meet with you or your student at school. Please contact them to arrange a meeting day and time that is most convenient for you.

Role: Licensed Therapist for students enrolled in services who works with clients to provide support, and teach skills for improving mental health and coping with challenges. Can also assist in short term therapeutic services for students and in navigating if a student needs higher level of care or emergency services.

What to Expect at the SchoolIf your student is experiencing a mental health emergency, the following agencies may be contacted to conduct an evaluation: • Mobile Response & Stabilization Services -MRSS (under 18) • 800-969-4357• Crisis Intervention Services (for ages 18+) • 800-652-2929The goal of an evaluation is to gain a clear understanding of the type of support and services that will beneeded and to prevent unnecessary or inappropriate hospitalization.

When your student is assessed by the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) team, there are a couple different outcomes that may occur:

• Your student may be referred for inpatient hospitalization. If so, the MRSS team will contact local communityagencies and determine which agency has space available.

• If the MRSS team determines that your student does not need inpatient hospitalization, they will work withyou and your student to determine needs and help make connections to outpatient services in thecommunity.

If your student is referred for further evaluation or inpatient services, there are several local agencies that provide this service:

Agency Dover Behavioral Health System MeadowWood Behavioral Health Rockford Center Sun Behavioral

Phone Number 855-609-9711800-289-8336302-996-5480302- 604-5600

What to Expect at the Agency

• Set up a transition meeting with school staff to discuss safeguards that can be put in place, includingidentifying school support staff. Contact your students counselor (302-697-3255) to schedule a meetingprior to their return to school.

• Be Patient: Depending on timing there could be a waiting period if crowded and/or near weekend or holidays.

• Assessment: There may be another intake assessment once you arrive at the agency. Many questions will beasked and multiple assessments given by different people to understand the complexity of the situation inorder to determine the appropriate level of care needed.

• Personal Information: They will ask about your family’s history of mental illness, family issues, alcohol/drugconsumption, suicide ideation/attempts, prescriptions used, etc. It is important to be 100% honest becausegenetics play a major role in mental health and is relevant to the kinds of medication that may be appropriatefor your student. Your family’s history is confidential and will only be shared with necessary school staff, withyour permission.

• Release Form: A signed release form will allow the agency and school to communicate effectively. The schoolhas a designated point person to help you and your student with any issues or concerns regarding school andtreatment, but they cannot talk to staff from the agency without your permission. Only information that isrelevant to your student’s care while at school (for example: medication they need to take, coping skills theywill be using) will be shared.

• Communication Lines: There may be delays in communication throughout the time your student is at theagency. Often times there are also delays in the agency communicating with the school. If you encounter anyproblems with the agency, please contact your student's school counselor at 302-697-3255.

Transitioning Back to School

We know the transition back to school after hospitalization can be overwhelming. Preparing your student for their return to school is important and we are here to help. Here is some information you might find helpful.

What the school can do to help make sure your student is safe:

Discussing absence with peers:

• How absences are discussed and/or explained to peers is up to your student. School staff members areavailable to talk to your student about how they would like to handle these types of conversations,including what to say to peers and how to handle any conflicts that may arise.

School absence policy:

• Students are not penalized for time missed due to hospitalization. Your student’s absence from schoolwhile hospitalized will be excused once you have submitted all needed documentation to the school.

Making up missed work:

• Your student may be required to complete make-up work during their absence from school. The school will work with the providers at the hospital to help your student get access to the work that they need when they are out. School staff members can help you work with your student’s counselor, teachers, and administrator to discuss a plan for making up missed work, if needed.

After HospitalizationIt is important to understand that the sole purpose of an inpatient stay is to stabilize your student enough so that they can be discharged to outpatient care. They will not be able to fix everything at the hospital; therefore, it is important for your student’s health that you continue with outside services (i.e. Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist or Counselor) as recommended by the agency in the after-care plan.If you need help getting connected to a support network and/or community resources or scheduling appointments, contact your school couselor at 302-697-3255.