District Guidance & Counseling Services
The Bullock County Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program is based upon the following beliefs:
- All children are unique and can benefit from the counseling and guidance services described in the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model for Alabama Public Schools (the State Plan), Bulletin 2003, No. 89.
- Every student has the right to participate in activities that promote self-direction and self-development.
- Every student has the right to make choices and accept responsibility for the choices made.
- Every student has the right to participate in a comprehensive school counseling program and guidance program designed to assist all students in attaining their maximum potential in academic, career, and personal/social development.
The Bullock County School District Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program is an integral part of the overall educational program and serves as a critical link to the instructional program and the community. The program:
- Is data-driven to meet the specific needs of the student's goals and developmental competencies,
- Involves planning and coordination with other representatives of the school and community with a purposeful and sequential program of activities.
- Utilizes many combined resources of the community,
- Is evaluated on specific goals and agreed-upon student competencies,
- Actively involves students and others.
Guidance Counselor Services
- Individual counseling (1-on-1 with the child)
- Small peer groups for related issues
- Classroom guidance lessons and career exploration activities
- College planning
- School crisis intervention as needed
- School-wide character education programs and state initiatives throughout the year (EX: Peer Helpers, Character Strong, Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Week, etc.)
Counselor's Work with School Personnel to:
- Identify and help struggling learners
- Decrease classroom disturbances
- Promote positive behavior
- Increase school morale
- Recognize early warning signs for students at-risk
- Implement safety and violence prevention programs Plan with problem-solving and MTSS teams
Confidentiality
Conversations with a counselor are typically confidential except for situations in which the student has authorized the counselor to speak to someone else. In addition, there are a number of special situations that limit confidentiality, including:
- Threat of harm to oneself
- Threat of harm to another
- Any report of abuse or neglect or suspected abuse or neglect
- Reports or indications of behavior that could reasonably put the individual at risk of harming himself or others.
- Court orders that compel the sending of records or the appearance in court.
