Section III: Access to Resources and Services

A key aspect of promoting positive school climates is ensuring that the underlying emotional needs of all students are addressed.  In order to enhance each school’s capacity to prevent, intervene early, and respond effectively to bullying, school counseling services are available for students at every school. Schools also have student support teams who can develop safety plans for students as well as recommend different tiered interventions that support students and their emotional well-being. These services reflect an understanding of the dynamics of bullying and provide approaches to address the needs of targets and student aggressors.  Referrals for appropriate services will be made for student aggressors, targets, and family members as needed. Also, when needed, appropriate referrals to community agencies may be utilized for supports.

1. Students with Disabilities.  As required by M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, as amended by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010, when the IEP Team determines the student has a disability that affects social skills development or the student may participate in or is vulnerable to bullying, harassment, or teasing because of his/her disability, the Team will consider what should be included in the IEP to develop the student's skills and proficiencies to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing.
    
2. Referral to Outside Services.  School counselors or school adjustment counselors will refer students and families to outside community services when needed.  These services may include but are not limited to crisis assessments, threat assessments, individual therapy, and family therapy.  All referrals will comply with relevant laws and policies.
    
3. Counseling and Other Services.  School counselors, nurses, school psychologists and educators currently provide a variety of skill-based services to students within the educational setting that include on-going emotional support, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and help with community-based counseling referrals when appropriate. School counselors meet with parents/guardians and teachers as needed to collaboratively address students’ academic, emotional and behavioral concerns. The district provides linguistically appropriate resources to identified families. The staff maintains up-to-date information on community-based mental health referrals and other community agencies. School counselors, school psychologists and classroom educators’ intensive special needs work collaboratively to develop tiered intervention and behavior plans. They also work to support parents, in a variety of different forms.
   
   The following are services offered at various schools:
   1. individual counseling
   2. group counseling
   3. classroom social emotional lessons
   4. peer mediation
   5. PBIS
   6. lunch groups
   7. positive behavior plan development
   8. restorative practices
   9. student support meetings
   10. parent supportive meetings
   11. transition planning

 The Taunton Public Schools consults with the area and regional organizations, such as the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University and theBristol County District Attorney’s Office

4. Students Most Vulnerable.  This plan recognizes that certain students may be more vulnerable to bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived characteristics, including race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; sex; socioeconomic status, homelessness; academic status; gender identity or expression; physical appearance; pregnant or parenting status; sexual orientation; mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability; or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.