"Optimism isn't a belief that things will automatically get better; it's a conviction that we can make things better.” - Melinda Gates
Parent/Guardian Resources
*Note: no resources from for-profit entities will be added to this page. Please do not email or otherwise contact me with requests to add resources if you are affiliated with, or representing, any for-profit entity.*
As a parent, you are the most important person in your child's life. As your child's high school counselor, I want to collaborate with you to help your child achieve success in high school and beyond! Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss any concerns or questions that you may have.
Here are some websites you may find helpful:
Financial Aid Toolkit For Parents - For families who are working on the FAFSA, this site offers resources that will be helpful throughout the entire financial aid process, including help with completing the FAFSA!
The Role of the School Counselor - An explanation of what a high school counselor does as part of the student's team.
What is Digital Literacy? - By addressing questions about digital literacy by age group, this resource from CommonSenseMedia.org helps identify ways that you can help your child use the internet in a safe and appropriate way.
Top 10 Ways Families Can Encourage Girls' Interest In Computing : This article from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), will help you learn how you can encourage the girls in your life to explore, study, and have a career in computer science (CS) and related technology fields
This Online Safety Parent Toolkit is a "7-step framework that guides parents through online safety conversations with their child", focusing on the steps of understanding, learning, exploring, agreeing, teaching, modeling, and planning.
Coping Kids & Teens - The Pathways Center for Grief & Loss is a local nonprofit organization that supports the needs of children, teens, and families who are impacted by serious illness and loss.
The National Alliance For Children's Grief - The alliance is a national organization of professionals dedicated to supporting children and the networks and communities surrounding them.
What Parents Should Know About Bullying, from Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center. The Center provides free bullying prevention resources to unite K-12 students, their families, educators and the community in creating a world without bullying.
Today Parenting Guide - A comprehensive site that provides benchmarks and tips for your child's academic, physical and social emotional growth. from preK to high school.
Partnership to End Addiction - A source of free and confidential support for parents concerned about addiction or families struggling with the addiction of a loved one. The Partnership offers trained helpline specialists with lived experience, parent coaching, and peer support for anyone playing a supportive role in the life of a young person struggling with substance use.
Office of Student Aid - An official website of the U.S. Department of Education, absolutely FULL of pages to help you financially plan for college, learn about financial aid, complete the FAFSA, and navigate the application process.
Youth Rules - Preparing the 21st Century Workforce - Everything you need to know about child labor laws and other issues related to the employment of teens.
The PA Parent & Family Alliance is now providing family support for parents and caregivers of children and youth with suspected mental health or substance use challenges through their Family Support Parnters (FSP) program. FSP's are parents and caregivers with lived experience who are trained to assist other families by providing support, identifying resources, and facilitating access to services.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mainline PA, has compiled a wealth of resources for helping children and teens (and their families) with mental health or behavioral challenges in Southeastern PA.
If you are seeking resources for any topic not listed here, please reach out to me and I will help you find them!