Welcome to Student Services!

The Alachua County Student Services department encompasses a variety of support service programs whose mission is to maximize the academic, health, personal-social, and career development of each student. Support programs include:

School Counseling

School Social Services

Psychoeducational Services

Health Services

Student Discipline

Student Attendance/Dropout Prevention

Student Records

Phone: 352-955-7621 x1076

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Kathy Black, Executive Director

As the Executive Director of ESE/ Student Services, Kathy Black leads staff in ensuring programs for exceptional student education; health services, psychological services, school counseling, student discipline, and student services are accessible and effective for students. Ms. Black has a Master's Degree in Special Education and Teaching from Florida State University. She has more than forty years of experience serving students in public education and advocating for children with special needs.

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Health Services Handbooks/Resources
Health Services Program

Our Mission

The Alachua County Public School Health Services program provides professional and compassionate health care to students during their school day. It is our mission to promote and maintain the physical and mental well-being of our students to ensure their success at school. As nurses, we encourage healthy lifestyles. School health staff follow Health Handbook procedures, which are updated by the School Health Advisory Council. The School Health Plan is also updated yearly and outlines specific nursing interventions for the school year. Parent and staff involvement and input is welcome.
Immunization General Record
Immunization General Information
- Immunization: The Basics
  
  The Parent's Guide to Childhood Immunizations
  
  Links to Basic Immunization Information: Why Immunize?
  
  Did you Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child? (English)
  
  Did you Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child? (Spanish)
  
  Did you Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child? (Haitian/Creole)
Parent Consent for Healthcare
- Under Florida law, parents/guardians must give active consent for their child to receive health care such as management for chronic health conditions, vision/hearing/scoliosis/dental screening, and other services. ALL students will be provided with emergency care, first aid treatment and acute care as deemed necessary by a school nurse, even without active consent from a parent/guardian.
  
  If your child needs medication at school for any reason, you must also complete a Medication/Treatment Authorization Form, which is available from your school nurse and on this site. Completed Medication/Treatment Authorization forms must be submitted in person to your school nurse.
  
  To give active consent for your child to receive screenings and other health services at school, you must complete the new Consent for Health Services form. The form can be found under "Annual Updates" in your Skyward Family Access account.
  
  If you do not have a Skyward Family Access account, you can set one up online or by emailing familyaccessrequest@gm.sbac.edu and providing: your full name and a photo ID; your student’s full name, date of birth, grade level and school. A Skyward Family Access account also gives you access to your child’s grades, test scores, attendance records and other important information.
  
  Parents/guardians without a Family Access account can also request a hard copy of the health form and other required annual forms from their child’s school.
  
  We appreciate your help as we work to provide the healthcare services you want for your student.
  
  Please direct any questions to greenj1@gm.sbac.edu.

Roots of Resilience
ParentGuidance.org
ParentGuidance.org

Parent Guidance.org- Being a parent can be tough. Our coaches give you confidence.
Mental Health Curriculum Plans
Mental Health Curriculum Plans
- Alachua County Mental and Emotional Health Education Implementation Plan
  
  Alachua County School Substance Use and Abuse Health Education Plan
  
  Alachua County School Child Trafficking Prevention Plan
Local Counseling and Mental Health Agencies
- (Many will provide in school counseling)
  
  CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services - (352) 244-0628
  http://www.cdsfl.org/
  
  Child Advocacy Center – (352) 376-9161
  http://www.childadvocacycentergainesville.org/
  
  Children’s Home Society - (866) 427-5451
  https://www.chsfl.org/midflorida
  
  Haven Hospice (Grief Counseling) - (3526) 378-2121
  
  https://beyourhaven.org/bereavement
  
  Meridian Behavioral Health - (352) 374-5600
  http://www.mbhci.org/
  
  Step by Step Behavioral Health Services - (352) 225-3710
  http://step-by-stepbehaviorhealth.com/
  
  UF Health Child Psychiatry - (352) 265-4357
  https://ufhealth.org/uf-health-psychology-springhill
  
  Village Counseling Center - (352) 373-8189
  http://www.villagecounselingcenter.net/
  
  Vitas Hospice (Grief Counseling) - (352) 527-2020
  
  https://www.vitas.com/family-and-caregiver-suppport
Additional Support for Parents
Additional Resources
- Alachua County Crisis Center - 352-264-6789
  http://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/CSS/CrisisCenter/
  Pages/CrisisCenter.aspx
  
  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
  
  NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
  www.namigainesville.org
  
  SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  https://www.samhsa.gov/
  
  The Jason Foundation
  http://jasonfoundation.com/
  
  The Trevor Project – LGBT Youth
  https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/category/
  gender-identity/
  
  Teen Drug Abuse and Addiction
  
  https://www.addictiongroup.org/addiction/teens

Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Resources

Our schools care about you. We are aware that many students are experiencing a high level of trauma, stress, anxiety or sadness related to school, friends and perhaps personal family issues. Mental Health needs are not uncommon in our youth. 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 will experience mental illness. In addition, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death between ages 10-24. Many children and teens are suffering in silence. It is important to know that you are not alone and that there is help in our community for you, your friend or your child.

School Counselors

Alachua County Schools are fortunate to have school counselors in every school who are Masters or above-trained counselors knowledgeable about child development and mental health needs. They are there to listen, support and assess student risk of self-harm if necessary. They are also excellent resources to connect you and your family to mental health counseling in our community

In addition to our school counselors, many schools have other programs providing mental health counseling in our schools, including System of Care, PALS, The Nest, and collaborations with local agencies. The school counselor at each school can help coordinate these services for you, your friend or your child.

School Social Workers

Alachua County School social workers are master's level mental health professionals that provide individual and group counseling to students. They also work with families and community agencies to provide assistance and resources that are essential for promoting student success. School social workers play a vital role as a link between the home, school, and community.

System of Care

The System of Care (SOC) is an Alachua County Public Schools District Program. The SOC IMPACT TEAMS consist of masters level social workers and mental health counselors assigned to high-need schools. They provide intensive mental health counseling and wrap-around social services. The SOC network consists of 125 public and private agencies working together to provide services to help families with complex needs, stay connected as a family, and to help the child stay in the community. This process is driven by the family and their support team, and helps to ensure that services result in positive outcomes for all.

Hazel Health
Citizen of the Year Awards
- Citizen of the Year awards recognize one student from each elementary school in Alachua County. At the end of the school year, each school picks a Citizen of the Year. This award by their teachers and peers is based upon their scholastic standing, attitude, conduct, their contribution to the community (for example, 4H, Scouts, church) and their extracurricular activities. The Kiwanis Club wishes to thank its partners and supporters in this program:
  
  The Alachua County School District
  
  Kiwanis Club of Gainesville
  
  Children's Trust of Alachua County
  
  MainStreet Daily News
  
  SouthState Bank
  
  Cade Museum
  
  Huntington Learning Center
  
  Gator Domino’s Pizza
  
  PDQ Chicken
  
  Nothing Bundt Cakes
  
  4 Rivers Smokehouse
  
  Rock'n Roll Sushi
  
  Tropical Smoothie Cafe
  
  Santa Fe College
  
  Campus USA
  
  IQ Fiber
  
  Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
  
  Alachua County Library District
  
  For each month's awardees, see the featured month below and previous month's in the right column, on MainStreet's website at https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/education/citizens-of-the-month or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmainstreetgainesville%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02UB3GwdmMaPG2P3hb49XNgtJvADgvBppQcPmXWpVh9zCa8ESDdv6Wa384QA9wtDUPl
  
  View Citizens of the Month - September 2024
Beyond the Bell - School Counseling & Academic Advising Program
- BEYOND THE BELL - Virtual After-School Counseling and Academic Advising
Click the Image to Join the Session:
- Exciting news, students and parents! Starting in September, Alachua County Public Schools is continuing an innovative program aimed at boosting your academic achievements and emotional wellness.
  
  Beyond the Bell is not a therapy program. Instead, the goal is to extend the support and guidance typically provided by our dedicated school counselors, ensuring that students have access to assistance beyond regular school hours.
  
  Key Program Features:
  
  Virtual After-School Counseling
  - Talk to a certified school counselor.
  - Obtain guidance on schoolwork, study skills, and organization.
  - Discuss academic challenges, social issues, and concerns.
  Academic Advising & Career Planning
  - Course and schedule assistance.
  - College and career readiness advice.
  - Skills assessments to identify areas of strength and interest.
  Emotional Wellness
  - Learn effective techniques to manage stress.
  - Build resilience by developing skills to handle setbacks, building self-esteem, and promoting overall well-being.
  For questions or additional information, contact griffints1@gm.sbac.edu or call (352) 955-7676
  
  To access this service, you can click the Beyond the Bell logo (video), or dial (voice only): 1-386-753-7853 PIN 928 202 186#
  
  We encourage students and families to take advantage of this resource.
Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Monday – Thursday

3:00pm – 4:00pm

Tuesday and Thursday

4:15pm – 6:00pm

Monday – Thursday

3:45pm – 5:45pm

School Attendance/Dropout Prevention
- Students are more likely to benefit from the academic program offered by a school if they attend school regularly. Daily school and class attendance not only improve academic performance, but help students develop social skills necessary to become a productive citizen in their community.
  
  Successful schools begin by engaging students and making sure they come to school regularly. They work cooperatively with students and parents to make coming to school a positive experience for the student.
  
  Parents are responsible for student attendance as defined by Florida’s Compulsory School Attendance laws (F.S. 1003.24 and F.S. 1003.21).
  
  Alachua County Public School Attendance Officers are available to help students and their parents improve school attendance.
  
  District Contact
  
  Rod Warner
  Student Attendance
  (352) 955-7671 x 1623
  Email: warnerrw@gm.sbac.edu
  
  Contact Your School Attendance Officer
  
  Terry Crews
  (352) 955-7671 x 1601
  Email: crewswt@gm.sbac.edu
  
  James Franklin
  (352) 955-7671 x 1617
  Email: franklinjg@gm.sbac.edu