Lewis County Schools

COVID-19 (LCES)-1/18/21

We have been made aware that there has been a positive case of COVID-19 from a staff member at Leading Creek Elementary School. Lewis County Schools and the Lewis County Health Department will continue to monitor this active case and give announcements, as necessary and will stay in contact with all others involved to provide the best public health outcome for our community. As always we ask that you stay vigilant at this time, and to continue to practice the precautions that have already been established; thorough washing of hands, wearing a mask, and social distancing.

COVID-19 (LC Central Office) 1/19/21

We have been made aware that there has been a positive case of COVID-19 from a staff member at the Lewis County Schools Central Office. Lewis County Schools and the Lewis County Health Department will continue to monitor this active case and give announcements, as necessary and will stay in contact with all others involved to provide the best public health outcome for our community. As always we ask that you stay vigilant at this time, and to continue to practice the precautions that have already been established; thorough washing of hands, wearing a mask, and social distancing.

Social-Emotional Support

In a gentle way, you can shake the world.

-Gandhi

Suicide Hotline

1-800-273-8255; Text 741741

Link to chat line, phone number, and multiple resources for suicide prevention, loss and disaster survivors, attempt survivors, youth, veterans, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+.

Trans Lifeline

1-877-565-8860

Trans suicide prevention hotline. Peer support services, material support, advocacy, education, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals in need.

Human Trafficking Hotline

1-888-373-7888; TTY:77; Text 233733

Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery in every state. Be vigilant. Be informed. Link to chat line and statistics and information regarding human trafficking in West Virginia.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233; Text 233733;

TTY:1-800-727-3224;

Link to chat line, phone number, video chat, and resources for those experiencing domestic violence.

If a child is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the Children's Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-WVKIDS-1 (1-844-985-4371).

Support During COVID-19

COVID-19 Help Resources from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

24/7 NAMI Helpline Phone Number: (800) 950-6264

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline

SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

See Hear Intervene Empower Learn Defend (SHIELD) WV Personal and Digital Wellness Suite

Informed Resources, Live Zoom Chats, and Tips for Parents

The Validation Station: free, validating text messages for isolated trans individuals

Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Online Resources for Coping with COVID-19

Caregiver and Family Support

Lewis County Family Resource Network

Up-to-Date Resource Guide and File Share

(304) 269-4000

ABC Program: A partnership between Mountain CAP and Lewis County Board of Educaiton to assist children and families in removing barriers to family stability and academic success in Lewis County.

Birth to Three: System of services for children three and under who have a delay in their development or may be at-risk for having a delay.

Child Care Providers: A list of childcare providers throughout the state.

DHHR Family Assistance: Emergency and disaster assistance, refugee support, CPS, and APS.

Foster Care and Adoption: Steps on how to become a foster care provider.

Foster Closets: A list of locations of "closets" offering free basic supplies and clothing for children placed in care.

Healthy Grandfamilies WV: Information and resources for grandparents raising grandchildren in West Virginia.

Love Your Birth Control: Know your options regarding birth control, providers, and family planning.

Mission WV: Non-profit agency that recruits families for foster and adoptable youth. They provide life skills education and community connections for children in foster care or the adoption process. Foster and Adoption Resources are made available through Mission WV including an information guide, resource library, family stories, scholarships, awards.

MODIFY Program: Mentoring with Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) provides ongoing support, including education vouchers, to youths 18-20 who are transitioning out of foster care. They also provide assistance to the DHHR, foster families, and group foster care residential facilities.

Legal Aid of WV: Non-profit agency offering legal advice and services to relatives raising the children of other relatives, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. They offer connection to resources, legal advice, and assistance with issues such as custody and court orders. Find your region.

National Youth Advocate Program: A helpful go-to for prevention/intervention, positive youth development, out-of-home placement, and reunification/permanency resources. Associated with several evidence-based programs to help at-risk youths.

Parent Training and Information Center: Free support and training for families with children with disabilities or special healthcare needs. Parent trainers listed by region.

Parents as Teachers: Free and voluntary home visitation program with a mission to promote optimal early development, learning, and health of children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. See contact information by state.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace: Although based in Idaho, a chapters of SHP has opened in Doddridge and Harrison Counties and is currently serving Harrison and Lewis Counties. This organization provides free beds and bedding for any child who needs a bed. Their services are not limited to any population; however, sometimes requests are filled based on circumstantial dynamics. For more information or to make a referral, or to sponsor a "Build Day" find the chapter closest to you, and reach out!

WV Able: An investment account for individuals living with disabilities. Participants save and invest without losing Medicaid or SSI. Can work alongside Special Needs Trusts.

Prevention of Abuse and Trauma

Courtswv.gov Public and Other Resources: Follow link to resources for reporting abuse, case digest regarding laws surrounding abuse, and links to foster care information.

DHHR Centralized Intake: A how-to link and contact information for reporting suspected abuse.

Foundation for Rape and Information services: Works with all allied professionals to strengthen services and develop intervention and prevention programs to address sexual violence, stalking, and dating violence.

Hope, Inc.: Private, non-profit agency offering shelter to domestic violence or sexual violence survivors.

Employees go into the schools to work with staff and students are at-risk. They help families and individuals connect to necessary community resources. Currently serving Doddridge, Gilmer, Marion, Harrison, and Lewis.

LoveIsRespect: Describes the key ingredients of healthy relationships as well as warning signs that a relationship is toxic or dangerous. Offers a 24/7 chatline and support for individuals experiencing relationship violence.

Mama Bear Effect: Provides down-to-earth educational resources to help families all over the world raise awareness and protect children from sexual abuse. They offer free downloads, materials, coloring pages, and blog posts. Mama Bear Effect defines abuse, guides school personnel and families through the tough talks, and provides a what-to-do-if protocol. This is an excellent resource to consider when implementing Erin’s Law.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Defines child trauma, outlines best treatments and practices, and connects you to valuable nation-wide resources and training.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Safe-at-Home: Printable flyer for Safe-at-Home program, which is a wrap-around support program for youths at-risk of removal from home or residential placement.

Mental Health Support and Prevention of Substance Misuse

Bullying Prevention: Lesson plans and resources from WVDE.

Crisis Response Lines: 24/7 services listed by agency across all of West Virginia. These resources provide immediate response for behavioral and mental health crises. United Summit Center offers a Children's Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-WV-KIDS-1 for children in Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties.

GRaCE Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment: Community approach to address trauma and substance use through recovery coaching. Several schools are piloting GRaCE implementation at the high school level. Participating students receive 3 hours of college credit, and all participants earn recovery coach certification.

Help and Hope WV: Prevention, programs, funding, rehabilitation, harm-reduction, and more...resources available throughout the state for those affected by substance use disorder. Focus on community restoration.

Help4WV: 24/7 resource, call, chat, and text line providing immediate help for West Virginians struggling with addiction or mental health.

Lively Healthcare Center’s Medically Assisted Treatment: This center is located in Jane Lew (Lewis County) but serves all of Central West Virginia. It is an outpatient program operating under the MonHealth System and Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. Patients progress through the program based on their achievement of goals and behavioral changes. Patients will typically remain in treatment for a minimum of one year. They provide behavior therapy, support groups, family therapy, psychiatric evaluation, holistic activities, dual diagnoses, and FDA-approved Opioid Replacement Therapy. For more information, call 304-844-8941. Referrals can come from any agency or via self-referral.

Mental Health First Aid: Get trained in mental health crisis deescalation and learn to identify and respond to signs of mental health illness or substance use disorders in schools and communities.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Year-round mental health awareness calendar with connections to resources, information, and yes, info-graphics! Also...check out the NAMI calendar of events by month: NAMI Awareness Events

National Council: More info-graphics, social media support, and 7 Super Skills to help friends.

Opportunity House: Located in Buckhannon, West Virginia, Opportunity House is a non-profit organization supporting all paths to recovery.

QuietMinds: Understanding the relationship between mental health conditions and interpersonal disorders, focuses on development of social interaction skills and improved peer and family relationships.

ReclaimWV A Toolkit for Connecting Social-Emotional and Mental Health Supports to the Opioid Epidemic: a PDF list of resources and facts about opioids and the impacts of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Region4Tomorrow: Suicide prevention resource serving Barbour, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Upshur counties.

Self-Injury Outreach and Support: Non-profit outreach initiative providing information and resources about self-injury to those who self-injure, those who have recovered, and those who want to help.

Stigma Free WV: Events, support, and resources for people affected or those working with people affected by stigma, particularly mental health and substance use but also includes racism and LGBTQ+ discrimination. Connections to inspirational TED Talks, Facebook groups, and so much more.

Stop Everyday Killers: Read stories, learn statistics, take action, get help. Provides reference sheets and other materials to take to the doctor when concerned about opioid prescriptions.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA is a national organization with links to everything and anything relating to mental health and substance misuse. They have legal information, grant funding and information about that process, evidence-based programs, etc...

To Write Love on Her Arms: Non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

Diversity and Gender

Social Justice Lesson Plans

from

Teaching Tolerance, National Association of School Psychologists, and Welcoming Schools

Anti-racism for Kids 101: A list of children's books and discussion topics addressing race.

Comprehensive List of LGBTQ+ Resources: No need to totally reinvent the wheel. Here is a comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ support resources, literature, legal assistance, school and community resources, and Facebook groups.

Creating Gender Inclusive Schools Trailer: YouTube trailer about gender inclusive schools and re-defining gender roles.

Dr. Rainbow: Developed by the Covenant House in Charleston, WV, Dr. Rainbow is dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ West Virginians with practitioners who are accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals and knowledgeable of issues specific to LGBTQ+.

EMPOWERS: Organization that creates programs drawing k-12 girls into STEM fields in West Virginia.

Fairness West Virginia: Active local support for LGBTQ+ youth. Natasha Stone is the Transgender Visibility Organizer and is ready to lead staff development sessions in school. Contact: mailto:natasha@fairnesswv.org

GenderSpectrum.Org: Resource defining terms and exploring issues unique to individuals who are gender non-binary. Also offers online support groups.

GSA Gay Straight Alliance: Originally intended to be safe spaces for students, these student-run organizations now strive to unite LGBTQ+ and allied students to strengthen community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. Lewis County High School has formed

NASP Understanding Race and Privilege: Link to position statement and explanations of race and privilege from National Association of School Psychologists.

NRS LGBTQ+ Brochure: LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to runaway from home. They are also more likely to report sexual abuse by caretakers and sexual victimization on the streets. The attached National Runaway Safeline brochure is information on how to help.

Legal Guidance on Transgender Students' Rights: Developed in response to NBI 45, passed by the 2015 National Educator Association Representative Assembly to let state affiliates and members know about rights of transgender students. Includes best practices, full explanation of legal rights, and how rights play out in particular situations.

LGBTQ+ Center at WVU: Events, safe-zone resources, and campus/community resources.

LGBTQ+ Resource Packet: Core vocabulary, inclusive language, studies minor, national resources, WVU resources, preferred name request form.

Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community: Sunshine Behavioral Health describes how racism is a public health crisis and causes mental health problems. They provide all-inclusive resources for mental health support and recovery from addiction and treatment of mental health illness.

PFLAG Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: Fostering loving families and safe communities, West Virginia has two PFLAG Chapters. Find the chapter closest to you at PFLAG West Virginia.

Systemic Racism Explained - kid-friendly YouTube video: Video explaining the effects of systemic racism in kid-appropriate language.

West Virginia Girls Collaborative Project: Connections to state-wide resources encouraging girls to go into STEM fields.

West Virginia Women's Commission: Fostering the health and wellness of women and children across West Virginia. The site provides annual reports of progress.

Book Lists

Childmind.org Best Children's Books about Mental Health

Children's Books that Tackle Race and Ethnicity

National Alliance on Mental Illness Mental Health Books for Children and Teens and Their Parents

Top Diverse Picture Books for a Welcoming School — Gender and LGBTQ Inclusive

Classroom Ideas

3 R's - Rights, Respect, Responsibility - Sexuality Education Curriculum

AMAZEworks Curriculum - Creating Inclusive Classrooms

CATCH My Breath Resources

Farm to School - Growing Minds Lessons

National Association of School Psychologists Lessons

National Educators Association Lessons