- Anne Arundel County Public Schools
- March 15, 2019
-
March 15, 2019
News
- 3 Students Share Grand Award at Regional Science and Engineering Expo
- BOE to Take Public Input on Crofton Area Redistricting Options on March 19
- MSDE Approves Waiver Allowing 6 Schools to End School Year 1 Day Early
- 35 Career and Tech Ed Students Finish in Top 3 at Regional SkillsUSA Competition
- Board of Education to Take Public Input on Crofton Area Redistricting Options
THE HUB - Feature Article
-
STAR Program Offers Safe Space for Students Seeking Help with Substance Use Issues
Posted by Melvin Edwards on 3/14/2019Students who are seeking help with substance use issues now have another place to turn, thanks to the latest partnership between the Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.
The STAR (Screening Teens to Access Recovery) Program allows school nurses to utilize technology to connect high school students in a tele-session with a licensed therapist from the Department of Health. Sessions will take place through a secure portal to ensure privacy.
“We all have a stake in ensuring the wellness of our students,” Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “This collaboration between the school system and the Department of Health is critical to help students that have a problem with substance use get the help they need when they need it.”
Said schools Superintendent Dr. George Arlotto: “This is another proactive step our incredible partners at the Department of Health are taking to help us address wellness issues with all of our students. I believe the ability of students to access assistance from a friendly face in the school health room will encourage more students to seek help when they need it.”
Last school year, 327 students who were suspected to be under the influence of some substance were seen in county school health rooms. National statistics also show that one in 10 adolescents with a substance use disorder receives no treatment.
“STAR is modeled after the County’s Safe Stations Program because of its convenient and welcoming accessibility,” said Acting Anne Arundel County Health Officer Billie Penley. “Whereas any county resident seeking substance treatment can walk into any fire station or police station 24/7, any high school student can arrange to go to the school health room at any time during the school day for help. Both programs offer nonjudgmental stigma-free environments.”
Students who seek help in the health room will be screened via tele-session by a therapist. Based on screening results, the therapist will work with the student to explore available treatment options and decide the next steps. The school nurse and the therapist will encourage students to include their parents/guardians, caregiver or another trusted adult in the process.
School staff can also refer students who express a drug or alcohol concern to the school nurse to access the program.
Recent
Announcements
Professional Development Opportunities
AACPS Images of the Week







































































Tweet of the Week
Notable Dates
-
March 26 -- Professional Development. Two-hour early dismissal for all students.
April 8-9 -- End of third marking period. Two-hour early dismissal for all students.
April 18-April 22 -- Easter/Spring Break
May 23 -- Last day for graduating seniors
May 27 -- Memorial Day
AXIS Archive
- March 8, 2019
- February 22, 2019
- February 15, 2019
- February 8, 2019
- February 1, 2019
- January 18, 2019
- January 11, 2019
- January 4. 2019
- December 21, 2018
- December 14, 2018
- December 7, 2018
- November 30, 2018
- November 16, 2018
- November 9, 2018
- November 2, 2018
- October 26, 2018
- October 19, 2018
- October 12, 2018
- October 5, 2018
- September 7, 2018
- June 15, 2018
- June 8, 2018
- June 1, 2018
- May 25, 2018
- May 18, 2018
- May 11, 2018
- May 4, 2018
- April 27, 2018
- April 20, 2018
- April 6, 2018
- March 23, 2018
- March 16, 2018
- March 9, 2018
- March 2, 2018
- February 23, 2018
- February 16, 2018
- February 9, 2018
- February 2, 2018
- January 26, 2018
- January 19, 2018
- January 5, 2018
- December 22, 2017
- December 15, 2017
- December 8, 2017
- December 1, 2017
- November 10, 2017
- November 3, 2017
- October 27, 2017
- October 20, 2017
- October 13, 2017
- October 6, 2017
- September 29, 2017