Deer Lakes

School District

School Counseling Services

Overview

The School Counseling Services Department at Deer Lakes Middle School offers a safe environment for middle schoolers to visit when they are experiencing difficulties with academic, behavioral, or personal concerns. This office can assist students as well as parents and guardians in accessing services needed to address any of the above stated concerns.

The Middle School Counseling Services Department is staffed by Jackie Jaros. Ms. Jaros is a proud graduate of Deer Lakes. She went on to study at Westminster College where she earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a minor in communications. Ms. Jaros furthered her education and received her master's degree in school counseling at Duquesne University.

What is the Student Assistance Program?

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a voluntary program available to students experiencing academic, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties that may pose barriers to school success.
Students can be referred to the SAP by parents/guardians, school personnel, peers, or self-referrals. The SAP team is comprised of specially trained teachers, administrators, school counselors and a mental health and/or drug/alcohol consultant. Our goal is to work with families and to offer support and recommendations for your child. Where barriers are beyond the scope of the school, the team can provide information so families may access community resources.

Families are a vital part of the team and the SAP team values the importance of parent/guardian involvement in this process. A team member is ready to talk with you about the referral and obtain information about your child.

Please complete SAP Deer Lakes Permission Form and return it to your child’s school counselor or SAP Team member. If you would like the SAP Liaison from Holy Family Institute to screen your child, please complete the page 2 of the form as well. A copy can be found on the school counselor's website.

If you have any questions, please call school counselor Jackie Jaros at 724-265-5310, ext. 3670, and school social worker Autumn Rodgers at 724-265-5300 ext. 2673. Thank you for being a part of our team.

School Based Therapy Services

The Deer Lakes School District has recently connected with Family Behavioral Resources (FBR) as the new school based mental health services (SCMHS) provider. SBMHS are for students struggling at home or in school. Students with identified needs for support would be afforded the opportunity during the school day to attend therapy sessions. Therapists from Family Behavioral Resources (FBR) are available in the school building throughout the school year and summer break. A brochure is available on the school counselor's website to gain additional information. For more information, please reference the contact information on the brochure for Family Behavioral Resources (FBR) or reach out to the school social worker, Autumn Rodgers, at 724-265-5300 ext. 2673 or [email protected] for more information.