Student Support Services
Community Agency School Services
Community Agency School Services (CASS) is a collaborative outreach
program of Frederick County Public Schools. CASS works with families
of children from birth to 18 years of age to provide support and access
to needed services. Conveniently located in each school feeder community,
CASS facilitates collaboration and cooperation among schools, private
and public agencies, communities and families. CASS is a voluntary
and confidential program committed to increasing student achievement
through strengthening families and building stronger communities.
Counseling
School counselors monitor and promote student potential, kindergarten
through 12th grade. They assist with crises and problem situations,
and conduct classroom sessions to provide instruction in educational
and career decision-making, interpersonal skills, and personal and
academic growth. Counselors help students and their families with
a broad range of needs related to education: emotions, interpersonal
relations, social and learning skills, post-secondary education planning
and scholarships, graduation information, testing information and
class schedules.
Counselors coordinate with community services agencies, address developmental
needs, help with the orientation of new students and provide information
about school system programs.
Health Services
School Health Staff
Through a cooperative arrangement with the Frederick County Health
Department and FCPS, health services are offered in all schools. Each
school has a health room technician who provides emergency treatment
of accidents and illnesses, administers medications and performs selected
treatments under the supervision of a school community health nurse
(a licensed Registered Nurse). In addition to supervising health room
technicians at multiple schools, these nurses perform in-depth health
assessments, make referrals for medical or other services, and serve
as a resource to school personnel regarding health concerns. They
are part of a multi-disciplinary school team whose purpose is to maximize
the health and learning of each student.
There is no charge for school health services. Schools invite staff
and parents to call the school nurse or the Frederick County Health
Department regarding health concerns.
Health Screening Services
Schools conduct vision and hearing screening for students in pre-kindergarten,
kindergarten, 4th and 8th grades. Students in other grades may be
tested at the request of parents or teachers. School nurses and vision
or hearing technicians follow up when problems are detected. Schools
provide language, speech and psychological screening when problems
are noted.
Home/Hospital Teaching Services
FCPS high school students who cannot attend school for a minimum of
10 consecutive days, and elementary and middle school students who
cannot attend school for a minimum of 20 consecutive days, due to
a verified physical or emotional condition, may apply for Home/Hospital
Teaching Services on a short-term basis. If approved, a certified
home teacher is assigned. A licensed physician, certified school or
licensed psychologist, or licensed psychiatrist must sign the application,
which is available from the Office of Student Services.
Psychological Services
School psychologists are assigned to every school to consult, observe
and assess students, and may participate on school and county Individualized
Education Program (IEP) teams. They evaluate and address students'
special education needs and the needs of all students regarding emotional,
learning, behavioral and student threat concerns. In addition, psychologists
offer short-term individual and group counseling and provide leadership
in crisis situations. Their training services are available to schools,
parent groups and community organizations on request.
Student Support Programs
Student Support Programs are designed to help students in grades 6
through 12 learn in the regular schools rather than in a more restrictive
school environment, and to adapt and cope when they return from a
restrictive setting to their regular school. Programs focus on family
involvement and utilize crisis intervention, social skills training
and academic/behavioral intervention. For details, contact the Office
of Student Services.
