What does a child guidance specialist do?

• Aids parents and teachers in helping children succeed.
• Helps students develop and build self-understanding and self-awareness.
• Helps students relate to others.
• Promotes positive attitudes and values among students.
• Helps in identifying the needs of children.
• Assists students with the growing up process.
• Provides individual academic student conferences.
• Provides individual and group counseling to students with academic, social, behavioral and crisis issues.
• Gains understanding of students through observations and participation in the classroom.
• Serves as a bridge between home, school and community.
• Helps parents access community resources.
• Makes referrals to community resources and consults with outside agencies.
• Coordinates efforts with other school specialists.
• Provides parent-teacher conferences.
• Interprets tests to provide information about abilities, achievement, interests and needs.
• Makes home visits as needed.
• Oversees the implementation of the 504 Plans.

Where can students see the child guidance specialist?

• In the provider's office
• In the classroom
• In the hallway
• On the playground
• In the lunchroom
• In the community
• At home

How does a student see the specialist?

• Appointment made by the specialist
• Self -referral
• Parent referral
• Administrative referral
• Teacher and other staff referral
• Drop-in
• Agency referral

What are the qualifications of the specialist?

• Master of arts in school counseling
• Master of social work
• Psychology specialist or Ph.D.
• Kentucky state certification in education counseling, school social work or school psychology.

How does a specialist learn about current trends?

• In-service training sessions
• Workshops and seminars
• Conventions and conferences
• Continuing education
• Regular school and district-wide meetings
• County, state and national association meetings
• Professional journals/books