School Psychological Services utilizes two service-delivery models. At the elementary level, each school has at least one Student Services Specialist (SSS) who provides comprehensive services to the school. Many SSS’s have dual certification in school psychological and school counseling and/or training in school social work or related area. School Psychological staff is allocated to schools in part based on student enrollment. Other support staff at elementary schools may be assigned to various other departments but work collaboratively with the SSS.

Middle and high schools are staffed with Secondary School Psychologists. They work an itinerant model and are primarily responsible for pre-referral intervention and IDEA evaluations. There are 155 School Psychologists that provide services in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Assessment: Cognitive, Behavioral, and Social/Development evaluations are conducted by the School Psychologist to determine eligibility for either Exceptional Children or other specialized programs.

Counseling (Individual): These are scheduled individual counseling sessions with a student for a specific duration of time and with a clearly defined goal or outcome.

Counseling (Group): These are scheduled counseling sessions with a targeted group of student for a specific duration of time and with a clearly defined goal or outcome.

Consultation with Agency/Professional: This service includes in-depth and focused consultations with community agencies and professionals within and outside of CMS.

Crisis Intervention: Assessment and immediate intervention with a student in crisis. Intervention may include behavioral, medical, family, and/or personal safety issues that impact on the student’s well-being.

Group Behavioral Plan: This service includes the development of an intervention plan to improve behavior and remove barriers to appropriate school behavior for a group of targeted students. Plans may include a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA).

Guidance: Whole classroom instruction in which students are given instructions on topics such as conflict resolution, anger management, time management, study skills and career planning or other developmental issues or areas of concern specific to the student or school needs.

Home Visits: Scheduled visits with a parent(s) or guardian(s) in their home or residence. Visits are purposeful with a stated goal or outcome.

Intervention Team: This service involves participation in an Intervention Team meeting and may include the development, implementation, and/or monitoring of interventions and the assessment of intervention effectiveness through data analysis.

School Support Services – Support Programs: A variety of support services may be needed at a school and may include 504 Coordination, Attendance, Character Education/PBIS, DIBELS, ESL Testing, EC Compliance/Records Review, EOG/EOC Testing, McKinney Vento, Attendance No Show Process, Mediation Hearings, and Coordination to needy families.

School Support Services – Professional Development: Staff/Parent Training: This service includes informational presentations completed by the staff member.

Student Observations: This service includes individual student observations that are focused and supported by written documentation.

Suicide Risk Assessment: Individual assessment of student to determine risk of harm to him/herself.