ABC Unified School District awarded High School Counseling Grant

By Jerry Bernstein

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) announced the Department of Education has awarded a grant to ABC Unified School District to establish or expand elementary and secondary school counseling programs.
“I am pleased to see ABC Unified School District receive these funds,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez. “To succeed in school, many students need assistance and support both inside and outside the classroom. School counselors help students reach their full potential and play an integral part in the educational process.”
The grant will be in the amount of $396,336 for the period Aug. 1, 2010 through July 31 2011. ABC Unified will use the funds to support or establish counseling programs and hire qualified school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, or child and adolescent psychiatrists with a goal of expanding the range, availability, quantity and quality of counseling services available. Counseling services will use a developmental, prevention approach and will be designed and implemented with the involvement of parents of the participating students.
“We are absolutely delighted that ABC is the recipient of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program Grant,” said Dr. Mary Sieu, Deputy Superintendent. “Our grant, called the High School Intervention Program, will help to expand counseling services for all five high schools in the District. We will be working with our local area mental health agencies to provide school social workers and mental health counselors to implement a program that focuses on preventive measures as well as involving parents of the participating students. This grant is a much needed resource for our District and we welcome the new opportunities it brings for our students and families.”
In January, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 1029, Sánchez’ resolution to honor the important role school counselors play in the lives of students across the country. Sánchez has also sponsored the Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act, H.R. 5671, legislation that would provide funding for additional counselors in high schools with high drop-out rates, and H.R. 1361, Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act, to train and place more professional school counselors, social workers, and psychologists in low-income neighborhoods.