Student Assistance counselor presents Project Success; counselors report positive early outcomes

Jason Skolski, the district’s student assistance counselor, outlined Project Success (Schools Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students) at the April 21 board meeting and described how the program works across three tiers: schoolwide prevention, a prevention-education series for targeted grades, and short-term individual or group counseling.

Skolski said the program connects students and families to community partners and that services are confidential. He reported that the high school met with 65 students last year and 60 so far this school year, while middle-school individual/group contacts rose from 12 last year to 27 this year. For students seen four or more times, Skolski said outcomes show ‘‘a strong positive impact’’ with reductions in substance use or continued nonuse and increases in perceived risk and school connectedness.

Why it matters: the program aims to reduce suspensions by offering prevention and early intervention, and the district uses pre/post surveys and evidence-based approaches (including Sources of Strength) to measure impact.

Skolski invited board questions and said prevention education, thematic monthly activities and student-led mental-health clubs complement the counseling work. The presentation concluded with the district thanking families and community partners for support.