“Believing in yourself and liking yourself is all a part of good looks”.
Shirley Lord
I have been the Student Assistance Counselor at Hoosick Falls Central School since 2002 and work with students in grades 7-12. The Student Assistance Program is primarily a substance abuse prevention and intervention program that has been at HFCS since the mid 1980’s. The program is affiliated with Rensselaer County Mental Health.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Though many students in grades 7 through 12 are familiar with the Student Assistance Program at HFCS, families may not be aware of the variety of services the office provides:
- Short term individual and family counseling
- Assessment of substance use
- Referral to community services and follow up
- Consulation for parents and teachers
- Parent education
- Crisis intervention
- Classroom presentations
There are three evidence-based programs being conducted throughout the year. Project Alert is an eleven-session program in the sixth and seventh grade health classes. Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND) is a twelve-session program in high school health classes. In addition, Strengthening Families is offered to parents/guardians and their children, ages 10 to 14, on a yearly basis.
I am the advisor for the Youth Summit Team, our SADD Chapter. The team is busy throughout the year doing activities to promote healthy decisions and to raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol and other drug use.
Maryann J. Strauss, LMSW
Student Assistance Counselor
Hoosick Falls Central School
518 686-7321 extension 1095
