Offers a variety of services, including mental health and substance use disorder prevention and intervention. Located in all Mercer Island public schools. Services include confidential mental health counseling, classroom presentations, alcohol/drug interventions, prevention, and referrals, and life skills training and crisis intervention. There is a full-time counselor available in each public school.

School-Based Counseling Services offered by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services

Offers services in Mercer Island public schools ranging from counseling to classroom presentations and skills training.

Programs that offer a variety of activities for youth who are at risk for behavior which is likely to involve them in the juvenile justice system with the objective of assisting them to improve self-esteem, to become aware of alternative ways of dealing with feelings and leisure time, and to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Included may be counseling, rap and discussion groups, tutoring, companionship programs, alternative peer group experiences and supervised recreational activities.

Juvenile Delinquency Prevention

Programs that provide information about alcohol use disorders (including the symptoms, screening and diagnostic procedures and methods of treatment) and/or which offer any of a variety of services that focus on excessive alcohol use prevention for people of all ages who are at risk. Included may be printed materials or videos that address the subject; psycho-educational and skill building activities; structured groups which focus on family dynamics, problem solving, self-esteem and similar issues; and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups regarding the dangers of excessive alcohol use, the signs of related disorders, the potential legal consequences of excessive alcohol use and how to get help.

Alcohol Use Disorder Education/Prevention

Programs that offer training which focuses on the knowledge and skills an individual may need to live independently or make a successful transition to independent living. Participants may include runaway youth who are living on their own, youth who because of age can no longer be maintained in foster care, new widows, victims of domestic abuse, people who have previously been homeless, and others who have lived in an environment in which decision making and responsibilities of daily living have been handled by another as well as people currently living independently who want to be more effective. Training may address job search and retention, money management, insurance, taxes, rental agreements, vehicle purchase, nutrition, home management, health care, legal emancipation for teens and other similar topics.

Life Skills Education

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of violent acts committed by youth on the streets, in the schools or in other settings through a variety of educational interventions which may focus on children of various ages, parents, people who work with families, the schools, health care providers, law enforcement officials and/or the community at large. The program may provide information about model/promising prevention and intervention programs and crisis response strategies; descriptions of the risk factors associated with youth violence; research including statistics on violence committed by and against children and teens; outreach; and/or presentations that may be tailored for a variety of audiences.

Youth Violence Prevention

Programs that specialize in the treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 or 13 through 17, who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbance, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness. The programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance issues, truancy, anger management issues, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted infection, alcohol or drug addiction, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other difficult issues.

Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Programs that provide information about drug use (including the drugs most commonly used and their effects, the symptoms of related disorders, screening and diagnostic procedures and methods of treatment) and/or offer any of a variety of services that focus on drug use prevention for people of all ages who are at risk (i.e., who are currently in the light or experimental stage of using drugs; who are members of a drug using sibling, peer or family group; and/or who have behavioral and/or emotional problems at home, in school, in the community or with the criminal justice system). Included may be printed materials or videos that address the subject; psycho-educational and skill building activities; structured groups which focus on family dynamics, problem-solving, self-esteem and similar issues; and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups regarding the dangers of drug use, the signs of related disorders, the legal consequences of drug use and how to get help.

Drug Use Disorder Education/Prevention

Empowers participants to aspire to the highest quality of life by helping develop life skills, providing support and connecting clients to direct services.  
Assists participants and motivates them to become self-sufficient through direct access to education, employment, readiness, treatment, mental health care and housing stability options.

CURB at Communities Uniting Rainier Beach offered by POCAAN

Promotes self-sufficiency in young adults ages 18-30 through direct access to education, employment, readiness, treatment, mental health care and housing options. 
Must reside in Southeast Seattle area.

Programs that maintain listings of available employment opportunities and assign a staff member to help people who are searching for a position to choose and obtain the most suitable option.

Job Search/Placement

Programs that encourage students, usually in middle school or high school, to consider higher education and to gain the skills necessary to be successful in the college, university or other postsecondary program of their choice. Services may include guidance from staff and mentors, academic preparation, SAT test preparation, college/university admissions and financial aid workshops, and visits to local colleges and universities.

Higher Education Awareness/Support Programs

Programs that develop plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who, because of age, illness, disability or other difficulties, need assistance in planning and arranging for services; which assess the individual's needs; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan; and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the individual. Case management is a collaborative process characterized by communication, advocacy and resource management to promote high quality, cost-effective interventions and outcomes.

Filters

Age Group

School-Based Counseling Services offered by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services

CURB at Communities Uniting Rainier Beach offered by POCAAN