Counseling Hub
Contact Your School Counselor
To learn more about the counseling program, contact your school counselor! Call your school, complete this form, or visit your school’s Counseling page (links below).
Counseling Curriculum
Psychological Services & CareSolace
Psychologists are available to enhance the educational performance of students by addressing issues related to learning, emotional well-being, and social competence.
This goal is accomplished through psychological evaluation for special education and/or intervention when appropriate, multidisciplinary team problem-solving in the RtI process through the Early Intervention Team (EIT), short term counseling, collaboration with the mental health community, and consultation with staff.
If you or a family member are struggling with mental health or substance use issues, remember that help is available. CareSolace, a complimentary and confidential coordination service provided by Charlottesville City Schools, is available 24/7/365 to help you find mental health care or substance use treatment providers.
Call 888-515-0595 for multilingual support or visit CareSolace website to search for providers on your own or receive assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Region Ten Community Services Board is Charlottesville's local community mental health agency, providing counseling, crisis intervention, substance use treatment, developmental disability services, and family support for children, teens, and adults. CHS counselors partner with Region Ten to connect students and families with specialized mental health resources and community services when additional support is needed beyond what the school can provide.
ReadyKids Youth Counseling provides free, trauma-informed counseling and crisis support for children and teens in the Charlottesville area. Services include individual and family counseling, trauma therapy, and short-term crisis counseling, with appointments available at school, in the community, or at the ReadyKids office. CHS counselors partner with ReadyKids to connect students and families with additional mental health support when it is needed.
Community-Based Crisis Supports
Need immediate help?
If you need to reach someone immediately for crisis support for your child and it is after-school hours or you do not get an immediate response from school staff, here are a list of community-based crisis supports:
- Region Ten Emergency Services: 434-972-1800 (24 hr)
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (24 hr)
- Region 1 Mobile Crisis Line: 1-800-970-5897 (M–F 12–7:30pm)
- ReadyKids: 434-972-7233 (24 hr hotline)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (24 hr)
- LGBTQ+ Youth Support Line/Side by Side: 1-888-644-4390 (Ages 14–20)
For an immediate crisis, call 911 or go to the hospital
Bullying Prevention
Every student deserves to feel safe, accepted, and included in school, and a strong and positive community is a cornerstone of Charlottesville City Schools. To promote this culture and to help all students succeed, Charlottesville City Schools has implemented a program of positive supports. School staff and students work together to establish a common understanding and common language about positive behavior.
If your child needs immediate help due to bullying or cyberbullying, resources are available at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Substance Misuse Prevention
What is substance misuse prevention?
Primary: Universal education on the dangers of substances and teaching healthy behaviors that reduce risk factors. This aims to reduce the likelihood that a student will ever misuse alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
In Charlottesville City Schools, this includes the implementation of Health Education Standards K-12, social emotiona learning in grades PK-12, focused curriculum in 6th-10th grade Health and PE classess, and Y-Street youth led student advocacy in grades 9-12. Awareness strategies for adults include professional learning and dissemination of information.
Charlottesville City Schools partners with Region Ten for Student Assistance Programming (SAP) at CMS and CHS for additional prevention lessons.
Secondary: Targeted prevention includes early detection and intervention with a focus on the underlying factors that contribute to substance use. This aims to stop substance misuse in students who have already encountered or used substances.
In Charlottesville City Schools, this includes the use of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Refer to Treatment (SBIRT) programs implemented by CCS and Region Ten Staff Members. By referral, students can access Teen Intervene through SAP and Brief Challenges through CCS School Mental Health Professionals. Other strategies includes targeted referral to an SBIRT or educational program after an disciplinary incident involving substances. These may be used as alternatives to suspension as determined by the school administrator or Disciplinary Hearing Officer.
Each year, CCS distributes information about the dangers of Fentanyl to all students and families in grades 9-12. Fentanyl is a dangerous opioid that is the biggest contributor to overdose deaths in Virginia. Fentanyl Awareness Information
Tertiary: Indicated prevention focuses on harm reduction and treatment. This aims to treat substance abuse disorders, prevent reoccurance, and reduce risk of use.
Charlottesville City Schools does not have staff who provide treatment for substance use disorders. We do however have staff that can provide resources to families and support with referrals to community-based treatment. All CCS staff receive annual training on the use of an opioid antagonist (Rapid Revive) and our schools are all provided with multiple doses of Naloxone. If a family or community member would like additional training or information about opioid antogonists, Region Ten offers regular training and free doses of Naloxone. Visit Region Ten’s website for more information.
Are you looking for help for your child?
Make a referral by contacting your school counselor or school administrator.
For more information about substance misuse prevention visit:
It Only Takes One – resources for caregivers, teachers and teens on the dangers of Fentanyl.
Overdose Prevention – resources provided by the Virginia Department of Health on staying safe, taking action, and finding support in regards to drug use.
Preventing & Reducing Youth Substance Misuse – resources provided by the Virginia Department of Education for educators, school-based mental health professionals, students, and families.
Region Ten Community Services Board – information about mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.
Vape Free VA – a resource for teens, young adults, and their support circles for living vape free.
Power of Parents – a resource for parents on talking with their teens about alcohol.
Child Custody and Legal Guardianship
The school division recognizes that issues related to the legal and physical custody of students are complicated and can impact the student’s educational experience. Parents and guardians are encouraged to maintain their ParentSquare, PowerSchool, and Canvas accounts and contact information so that they can check student grades and keep up-to-date. Official notices and report cards will be sent to the parent or legal guardian with primary physical custody of the student during the school year. If the non-custodial parent wishes to receive a duplicate copy, submit a request in writing to the school. The non-custodial parent may need to document that they have rights to the records.
Unless a court order decrees otherwise, either parent or a legal guardian may view education records and attend school functions or school meetings regarding the student. It is the responsibility of the parent or legal custodian with primary physical custody to provide current copies of court orders to the school.
The school division will assume no responsibility for enforcing visitation or custody orders and reserves the right to prohibit parents or legal guardians from entering school property if their conduct becomes disruptive to the school environment.
Concerns regarding custody and visitation should be directed to the school principal. Anyone other than the natural parent of a child otherwise eligible to attend Charlottesville City Schools must provide legal guardianship papers before the child may be enrolled in school. Guardianship is granted only by the Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Other Resources
Abuse/neglect services for children and families.
Hotline, advocacy, support, and emergency room accompaniment services for victims of sexual assault.
Affordable home internet for qualifying households, as well as low-cost computers, free Wi-Fi hotspots, and free internet training.
An important part of supporting our students is making sure that everyone is equipped to succeed. EdZone Essential Needs Closets at our six elementary schools provide everything from hygiene items to weather gear for free for our students and families.
Items in closets include, but are not limited to:
- soap/body wash
- toothbrushes
- toothpaste
- floss
- shampoo/conditioner
- socks and underwear
- deodorant
- menstrual products
- laundry detergent
- toilet paper
- Warm items like coats, hats, gloves, etc.
To request items, please contact your school counselor or social worker.Once requested, families have the option to:
- Send items home with their student
- Pick up items from the student’s school
- Have items delivered to their home
EdZone Essential Needs Closets at Charlottesville City Schools are funded by the Chris Long Foundation
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Abuse/neglect services for children and families.
-
Hotline, advocacy, support, and emergency room accompaniment services for victims of sexual assault.
-
Affordable home internet for qualifying households, as well as low-cost computers, free Wi-Fi hotspots, and free internet training.
-
An important part of supporting our students is making sure that everyone is equipped to succeed. EdZone Essential Needs Closets at our six elementary schools provide everything from hygiene items to weather gear for free for our students and families.
Items in closets include, but are not limited to:
- soap/body wash
- toothbrushes
- toothpaste
- floss
- shampoo/conditioner
- socks and underwear
- deodorant
- menstrual products
- laundry detergent
- toilet paper
- Warm items like coats, hats, gloves, etc.
To request items, please contact your school counselor or social worker.Once requested, families have the option to:
- Send items home with their student
- Pick up items from the student’s school
- Have items delivered to their home
EdZone Essential Needs Closets at Charlottesville City Schools are funded by the Chris Long Foundation