Timothy G. Lena, MSW

 

Student Assistance Program-

The Student Assistance Program is a short-term counseling and referral service for students that may be having performance and behavioral concerns.  This confidential service will screen for a broad variety of teen issues, such as anger management, substance abuse, depression, eating disorders, anxiety and other mental health issues that may impact on the performance and /or behavior of the student in school.  Referrals will be made in-school educational support groups, or to outside treatment providers to address any issues the student identifies as an area of concern. (For more information on SAP see- http://www.nasap.org/ )

 

Because one of the programs specialties is looking at substance abuse issues, the federal law of confidentiality governing substance abuse records, 42 CFR Part 2, protects the entire program.  Even though students do have a right to privacy around these records, every effort is made to join with parents to make recommendations for the student and family that will help address the issues identified.  (for more info see Confidentiality and Client Rights )

 

 

In-School Educational Support Groups- Throughout the year, the SAP and Guidance offers a variety of support groups as needed that will cover any number of topics including:

 

  

 

Directory of Resources - The Timberlane School District does not “endorse” or promote any particular treatment provider.  When it comes to your/or your child’s mental health needs you need to be a smart consumer.  There are a lot of very good clinicians out there that just may not connect well with your family.  Please “shop around” for the best clinician for your family member.  The following recommendation merely a starting point for your “shopping convenience”.  You will also want to check with your insurance company on who they recommend that are “in-network”.

 

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (LADC).  If you have concerns around you child with substance abuse, we highly recommend seeking a LADC that specializes working with adolescents.  You wouldn’t go to a podiatrist for an ear nose and throat issue.  The attached list identifies several LADC therapist that have worked well with adolescents.

 

 

Trauma Specialist-  Treatment providers that specialize working with children that have been the victims of or witnesses to violence.  This can include but not limited to physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, teen dating violence.

 

Eating Disorders/Body Image-  http://www.something-fishy.org 

 

The Center for Eating Disorder Management- 360 Route 101 Unit 10 Bedford, NH 03110  (603)472-2846  www.cedm-inc.com

 

Associates in Psychology- 127 Water Street, Exeter, NH 03833 (603)772-3386 www.foodhelp.com

 

Grief and Loss-    Seacoast Hospice    www.seacoasthospice.org

Exeter Office:                   (603)778-7391   (800)416-9207
10 Hampton Road
Exeter, New Hampshire  03833

 

Title IV – Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Grant

 

Every year the Timberlane School District is awarded Title IV entitlement funds for Prevention Activities and Curriculum.  These funds are overseen by the Timberlane Safe and Drug Free Community Coalition www.stcoalition.org    .  Our coalition consists of parents, students, school officials, police and law enforcement, faith communities, local government official, prevention and treatment providers etc. Any stakeholder interested in promoting a safe and drug free community is welcome to attend.

 

To summarize the programs which are funded by the Title IV funds:

 

Middle School Student Assistance Counselor:  Title IV funds help to fund 2/5 of a full time SAP counselor at the Middle School.  The coalition has identified that early “intervention” with students who are exhibiting signs of risk for substance abuse and/or violence is a priority area.  The Middle School SAP is actively involved in assessing an intervening with students and families that exhibit warning signs for substance abuse and violence.   In addition, the SAP counselor is actively involved in other prevention activities and presentations in the classroom such as conflict resolution skills, Peer Mediation, and the Timberlane In Prevention (TIP) programs. 

 

2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey- The coalition has always tried to evaluate our programs to judge their effectiveness.  One key evaluation tool that we have been using is the YRBS.  As you can see by the attached documents we have been seeing some very encouraging improvement especially at the Middle School between 2001,  2003, and 2005 surveys.  The coalition has allocated a portion of the Title IV fund to help cover the expenses of the YRBS administration and analysis.

 

We Need Your Help!!!

Substance abuse and violence don’t just happen at school.  In fact the research seems to show the majority of issues appear to occur between the hours of 3 and 6 PM.  Substance abuse and violence is a community wide problem, which requires a community wide response. If you have any ideas on model program  We would like to invite any parent or community member who is interested in substance abuse and violence prevention to join our efforts.  For more information on our next quarterly meeting contact Tim Lena at 382-6541 x 227 or email at Tlena@timberlanehs.com