Skip to main content
Counseling Office » Student & Family Support Resources

Student & Family Support Resources

>
Resources
 
 
Behavioral & Mental Health
In crisis? Text HOME or HELLO to 741741 and speak anonymously with a Crisis Counselor.
https://www.crisistextline.org/text-us/
For the link below, please know that DASD has a Hospital Therapist in the building with an office to service students that is in partnership with Excela Health. More information can be obtained through the school counselor or main office as well as in the Parent/Student Handbook.
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or when people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
The link below provides information regarding mental health as well as resources available to families facing various scenarios.
https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/MentalHealth/Pages/default.aspx
The link below provides information regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention education. It offers additional resources.

STEP UP Westmoreland provides an innovative network of support that brings a universal and unique approach to providing mental health resources to our schools, students and their families.

 

Classroom and digital training options address topics such as wellness and prevention in areas of:

 

  • Managing bullying and threats

  • Stress and anxiety management

  • Depression and suicide prevention

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Stigma and barriers to mental wellness

  • Brain and psychological health

  • Self-advocacy

  • Resiliency

 
UpStreet aims to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health support, to avoid escalation of symptoms to a crisis stage and enhance teens’ quality of life. The website and programming were designed with input from UpStreet’s Teen Advisory board, a group of local teens that meets every other week to provide staff with insights about the needs and interests of teens in our community. Teens can now visit upstreetpgh.org to chat with a therapist, schedule an appointment and gather mental health resources.
https://upstreetpgh.org/
The link below is for Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports, Inc. Also available at the top of this website is a Westmoreland County 24-Hour Crisis Hotline. That number is 1-800-836-6010.
The link below allows you to find agencies, programs, and/or services based on a searchable category.
The link below would be regional services listed by facility with various websites provided.
 
Career Training & Education Programs
Job Corps is the largest nationwide residential career training program in the country and has been operating for more than 50 years. The program helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education (GED equivalent), trains them for meaningful careers, and assists them with obtaining employment. Job Corps has trained and educated over two million individuals since 1964.
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) serves persons with impairments that present a substantial impediment to employment. Services are provided to individuals who can benefit from and who need services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment.
https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/ovr/Pages/OVR-Office-Directory.aspx
 
Community Resources
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. Our specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.
By acquiring food through local donations, USDA commodities, and government food assistance programs (State Food Purchase Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program) we serve the community in several ways.
 
WAYS WE SERVE:
  1. We provide food to meal programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters and child care programs
  2. We provide the means for donors to put their food to good use while gaining tax credits
  3. We keep perfectly good food that can't be sold (because of damaged packaging or a close code date) from becoming garbage in land fills
 
Domestic Violence & Safety Concerns
Since 1976, Blackburn Center has been providing services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and other types of violence and crime in Westmoreland County, and presenting education programs across this community.  You can learn more about types of abuse, our services, or ways to get help if you are a victim of violence or crime.  All of our services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL, and can be ANONYMOUS.
https://www.blackburncenter.org/
The link below is for anonymous reporting related to schools that does not pertain to just threats or acts of violence.  This could also provide interventions and supports for both students and parents when information is known.
 
Grief
A guide from the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media | Whether this death was expected or sudden, it can feel overwhelming to tell your child. Remember that your love and presence is the best thing to help them through this time.
 
Teen Pregnancy
The PACT Program helps pregnant and parenting adolescents develop the coping skills necessary to address the personal, social, and financial issues that arise as a result of being a teen parent.
https://thepactprogram.org/