Elementary School

The Child Guidance Specialist Counseling Program

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 Child Guidance Specialist'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 Child Guidance 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 Child Guidance 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 Child Guidance Specialist become knowledgeable of current trends in guidance and counseling?

• 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

Guidance and Social Work home

Last update: 11/24/2004 2:41:28 PM     Printer friendly view