Counseling & Social Work

Our Social Work & Counseling team serves as a link between home, school and the community.

We help to identify and remove barriers that may interfere with a student's attendance, adjustment, and learning. Our priority is to advocate for and promote the holistic health and well-being of our students. This may include crisis intervention services, classroom presentations, individual and group counseling, and referrals to community services.

Mental and emotional health topics include depression, anxiety, trauma, grief support and healthy relationships.

We also coordinate with community partners to provide free vision, hearing and dental services to our students.

Please know you are always welcome to contact us. In cases of mental health emergencies, please contact 988 and a trained professional will offer guidance and support.

Our Team

Nadia Devine Social Worker

Email Nadia Devine
Jennifer Watt Social Worker

Email Jennifer Watt
Nanyamka Brown Social Worker

Email Nanyamka Brown

Student Support Specialists

Shakita Johnson Student Support Specialist

Email Shakita Johnson
Portlyn Ware Student Support Specialist

Email Portlyn Ware
Cayelon Barton Student Support Specialist

Email Cayelon Barton
Rene Friedel Learning Support Specialist

Email Rene Friedel
Martuis Walker Student Support Specialist

Email Martuis Walker

Resources

Abuse/Sexual Assault

Safe Connections 24/7 Crisis Helpline - a live-voice helpline for the entire St. Louis region, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Highly-trained advocates assess safety needs, assist with safety planning, provide emergency transportation, and give referrals for medical care, shelter, legal aid, counseling, and other area resources. Our Helpline is there for adults and youth of all genders who have experienced rape, domestic or dating abuse (physical, sexual or emotional), sex trafficking, and/or childhood sexual abuse. The Crisis Helpline is also an excellent resource for friends and family members who are concerned for a loved one.

Safe Connections Support Services - groups, classes and workshops for adults and youth of all genders ages 12+ who have experienced rape, domestic or dating abuse, sex trafficking, and/or childhood sexual abuse. Through these group programs, clients receive professional guidance and peer social support in a safe environment. Additionally, group services are open to survivors of all genders and all support services are free of charge.

Bullying

Community Resource Guides

Community Violence & Victim Support

Life Outside of Violence (LOV) (Brochure) - A hospital-based intervention program that helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence.

The Black Healer’s Collective - Engages in healing practices, programs and partnerships that support the Black Community in: 1) remembering itself – repairing that which feels fragmented and broken within its households, families and neighborhoods; 2) expressing its truths and exercising its power; and 3) creating healed futures that affirm and uplift Black lives.

St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission

Youth In Need’s Project Safe Place - Preventative program aimed at children and teens in crisis situations. When a young person is in need of a “safe place,” local businesses, designated by the yellow and black Safe Place sign, serve that purpose temporarily until a Youth In Need staff member can meet with the child and offer support, a place to stay, transportation or other resources as needed.

Emergency Housing

Emergency Services

Family Support

Health Services

Internet, Media, & Technology

Suicide Prevention

Transportation

Gateway Go Pass - Provides St. Louis youth ages 13-25 with free transit passes for MetroLink and MetroBus through December 2024 to help connect youth acros the city to school, work, and other opportunities. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and come to the SLATE Missouri Job Center during business hours with proper documentation to complete eligibility form. Applicants under the age of 17 must have a parent/guardian with them to sign the form.

United Way 2-1-1

Other

Crime Victim Center - Offer a wide range of services for individuals, communities and other organizations and institutions seeking to improve their services to victims of crime.
https://safeconnections.org/st-louis-and-national-resources/
https://www.awcommunities.org/crisisinformation
https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
https://www.211helps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MO-Cooling-Sites-w-KC-5.22.23.pdf

https://www.youthinneed.org/ - an organization that provides residential group homes, early-childhood education, homeless street outreach, counseling, support groups and foster care case management to children, teens and families in the eastern Missouri region.
https://bhrstl.com/