Aldersgate's school-based support programs work in partnership with area schools districts to provide school-based mental health support to identified students, their families, and the community.  All school-based support staff provided counseling to students in the classroom, individually and/or in small group sessions, consult with school staff, offer outreach and referrals to parents, and advocate for individual students when appropriate.

Students are most commonly referred for concerns such as: low self-esteem, socialization/peer relations issues, poor academic performance, poor school attendance, negative school behaviors, school-related anxiety, personal grief and loss issues, family stressors, and anger management.  

Aldersgate staff often function as participating members of a Student Assistance Program (SAP) teams; SAP teams help to identify and support at-risk children. School-based counseling is crucial in helping students understand and overcome problems such as drug and alcohol issues, disruptive behavior, academic failure, self-destructive behavior, depression, others mental health concerns and truancy.   

Aldersgate staff has also implemented groups to specificially address issues around the transition from elementary to junior high school classes.  In addition, agency staff are trained in many evidenced based SAMSHA and Pennsylvania Department of Education approved model curriculum-based prevention programs.

For more information about Aldersgate's school-based support services, please contact:

Deborah Sapin-Feldstein, Executive Director
Aldersgate  
Phone: (215) 657-4545
FAX:  (267) 518-0009