School-Based Mental Health Team
Prince George County Public Schools is committed to addressing the social-emotional needs of our students. We have a school-based mental health team that is trained and dedicated to building a tiered model for school mental health support.
Our team consists of school counselors, school social workers and school psychologists. They work collaboratively with our schools, families and community to offer services, resources and assistance to support sustainability for a well-balanced environment.
Who Serves Our Students?
School-based mental health staff play an essential role in supporting the mental and emotional needs of our students. These individuals provide a safe space for students to receive guidance, all focused on ensuring each student has the tools they need to succeed and improving their overall well-being.
Click the dropdown box below to learn how each element of our school-based mental health team works collaboratively in support of the children of Prince George County Public Schools.
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School counselors support the needs of students across their entire educational journey, spanning elementary and secondary-level instruction.
Elementary School Counselors, comprising Grades PreK-5 provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career and personal/ social development of all students. Elementary School Counselors work collaboratively with students, educators, parents and the community to support our student's ability to achieve. Responsive services, such as classroom lessons on building character, small group counseling and individual counseling have been designed to help students acquire skills necessary to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners.
At the secondary level, traditionally Grades 6-12, school counselors provide a school counseling program that helps all students enhance their social/emotional development and attain the mindsets and behaviors needed for success while recognizing that growth in the three domains of academic, career, and social/emotional development is necessary for students to be successful now and later in life.
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School Psychologists provide comprehensive services to school staff and families to support students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. Our district's school psychologists participate in school-based intervention teams and assist in designing academic and behavioral interventions. School psychologists conduct psycho-educational evaluations to identify students' strengths and weaknesses as well as potential barriers to learning. Additionally, school psychologists also provide mental health support as part of the crisis intervention process involving possible suicide prevention or threat assessment process.
School psychologists are required to have a minimum of 60 graduate level credits in school psychology and complete a full year of supervised internship to become licensed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as a school psychologist. School Psychologists have a wide range of training that includes individual psychological assessment (cognitive, educational, social, behavioral, emotional), consultation, counseling, academic and behavioral interventions, academic instruction, statistics and research methods, legal/ethical and professional standards, etc. that provides a knowledge base to promote a best practice approach to professional service.
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In the Commonwealth of Virginia, School Social Workers possess a Master of Social Work, and a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) license. School Social Workers are guided by professional ethics, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the supplemental SSWAA Ethical Guidelines for School Social Work, in addition to following school division guidelines and policies.
School social workers are mental health professionals trained to provide a variety of services to students, parents/ families, communities, and school staff. School social workers provide assessment services, crisis intervention services, school-based counseling, case management, and other student-based services within the school setting. Additionally, school social workers provide services to parents/families and the communities, by serving as a school-community liaison, analyzing community systems for appropriate resource referrals, implementing programs to address familial/community needs, and providing psycho-educational support, as needed.
School social workers also support school staff by providing consultation on mental/behavioral health needs of students, providing training on mental/behavioral health, and providing training and/or education on factors that may impact students, families, and their communities.
Resources for Students & Families
Our goal is to ensure our students and families have access to valuable resources to support their mental health both while in school and at home. Our district has compiled a list of resources that Prince George County Public Schools students, their families, and our community are encouraged to review and take advantage of.
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Crisis Line Phone Number (Available 24 Hours A Day): 9-8-8
The website also provides resources and the ability to chat online or by text message on mobile devices with a crisis counselor who can listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing.
Community Services Board, District 19
Local Crisis Line (Available 24 Hours A Day): 804-862-8000
For behavioral health emergency services, call 804-862-8000 or 9-1-1.
Contact Procedures: Call crisis line, Give information regarding crisis situation, Crisis counselor will conduct an assessment and determine appropriate plan of action
Cost: $75.00/hour for crisis intervention prescreen (see individual insurance plans for potential coverage); if no insurance, fee will be based on income.
Other Considerations: Individuals 14 years of age and older can request assessment without parental consent; however parent permission is needed for inpatient treatment; Medicaid Provider
C.R.E.S.T. (Available 24 Hours A Day): 833-968-1800
Emergency crisis response/in-home counseling/mobileCrisis Intervention Center - Community Services Board, District 19
Phone Number (Open until 10:00 p.m.): (804) 862-6095
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Prince George County Department of Social Services
This agency can provide assistance in prevention and support services for families with children under 18 years of age; adult protective services, child protective services; short-term emergency assistance; etc.
Phone Number: (804) 733-2650
Location: 6450 Administration Drive, Prince George, Virginia, 23875
Social Services Website: https://princegeorgecountyva.gov/residents/social_services/index.php
The James House
This organization offers free, confidential help for people affected by sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking in the Greater Tri-Cities region of Virginia.
Crisis Line Phone Number (Available 24 Hours A Day): (804) 458-2840
The James House Website: http://thejameshouse.org
Hopewell / Prince George Healthy Families
The organization provides support to help enhance the parent-child relationship by offering resources promoting healthy lifestyles, providing parent education classes, and a variety of home-visit-based programs to families residing in the City of Hopewell and Prince George County.
Phone Number: (804) 352-4018
Location: 300 North Main Street, Hopewell, VA. 23860
Virginia Department of Social Services Hotlines
The Virginia Department of Social Services operates a hotlines to support local departments of social services by receiving reports and referring them to the appropriate local department of social services.
Virginia Child Protective Services Hotline: 1-800-552-7096
Virginia Adult Protective Services Hotline: 1-888-832-3858
Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-838-8238
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Poplar Springs Hospital
Crisis Line Phone Number (Available 24 Hours A Day): (804) 796-2100
Location: 350 Poplar Drive, Petersburg, VA. 23805
Contact Procedure: Go to front entrance of building, Contact the receptionist inside the door, Tell receptionist the reason for seeking help
Cost: No cost for initial crisis assessment by counselor; however costs will incur when medical doctor (M.D.) becomes involved. Base minimal cost for one day Inpatient Treatment is $1800/per day.
Other Considerations: Medicaid Provider, TriCare Provider
Tucker Pavilion Child & Adolescent Treatment Center - Chippenham Medical Center
Phone Number: (804) 483-0050, click option for Tucker Pavilion
Location: 7101 Jahnke Road, Richmond, VA. 23225
Contact Procedure: Proceed to Emergency Department
Cost: No cost for initial crisis assessment by counselor; however, costs incur when medical doctor (M.D.) becomes involved - M.D. must clear patient for release, even if treatment is not recommended (see individual insurance plans for possible coverage)
Other Consideration: Will provide crisis intervention to anyone who requires it, payment plan can be developed to assist in paying for services; Medicaid Provider
Virginia Treatment Center for Children | VCU Health
Phone Number: For general information, dial (804) 828-3129. For outpatient admissions, dial (804) 828-3137. For inpatient admissions, dial 1-855-546-7792
Location: 1308 Sherwood Ave. Richmond, VA. 23220
Contact Procedure: Have pre-screen by current mental health provider or local Community Services Board (District 19 or similar agency), local emergency department, or Mental Health provider completing pre-screen will contact admissions.
Cost: Varies depending on diagnosis (see individual insurance plans for possible coverage)
Other Consideration: Need medical clearance if experiencing medical emergency (i.e. Asthma complications, bleeding, chest pain, etc.); Medicaid Provider
Supporting Our Staff Who Support Our Community
Our district is committed to retaining high-quality school counselors, school social workers and school psychologists to support our students and school community.
As part of our efforts, incentives including hiring and retention bonuses are offered to qualifying staff members serving in these capacities within our schools.