What is school counseling?

School counseling includes K–12 activities that are organized and implemented by certified, professional school counselors with the support of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, parents, and business and community members. School counselors provide individual, group, and classroom guidance sessions. School counselors help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

What is the role of a school counselor?

Professional school counselors are licensed/certified educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, social/emotional and career developmental needs by designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. 

School counselors embrace the framework of a comprehensive program that includes four key components: foundation, management, delivery and accountability. 

What is the role of a career specialist?

Career specialists are part of the Education and Economic Development Act’s (EEDA) initiative of Personal Pathways to Success and are required to complete the 120 hour Facilitating Career Development(GCDF/CDF) Course and become certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator. They serve as part of the school counseling team and implement the “Learning to Work” portion of the SC Comprehensive School Counseling Model.

The South Carolina Comprehensive School Counseling and Career Guidance Model

Community Resources for Parents:

Golden Harvest Food Bank: 

https://goldenharvest.org/find-help/

For assistance, call 706-736-1199 during business hours (Mon-Fri 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm) and the team will help you find a food resource that fits your needs. You can also visit the Master's Table Soup Kitchen for a hot meal served daily Monday-Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 1pm. It's located at 702 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30901.

ACTS of Aiken:

Food pantry, medical, and utility assistance is available from Monday-Friday 11:00AM-3:00PM. Call 803-642-5919.

ACTS of Aiken is located at 340 Park Avenue, SW in Aiken SC 29801.

Aiken 2-1-1:

This is a great resource for connecting families to local human service resources. Dial 211 or visit their website: Aiken 211

Grief and Mental Health Resources

After a Loved One Dies-How Children Grieve

The Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families

Responding to Change and Loss (Spanish Version) Respondiendo Al Cambio Y Perdida

Local Mental Health Information:

The main office number for Aiken Barnwell Mental Health is 803-641-7700. Locations are in Aiken and North Augusta.  

Aurora Pavilion is located beside the Aiken Regional hospital and are open Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-4:30pm. Call 641-5900 for assistance. Walk-ins are welcome. Aurora provides walk-in crisis assessments, crisis stabilization, inpatient stabilization, and outpatient services.

The Wagener Medical Clinic also provides counseling services with Aiken Barnwell Mental Health. They are located at 120 Louie Street in Wagener. The phone number is 803-564-8803.

Office of Suicide Prevention Crisis Text Line: Text HOPE4SC to this number: 741741

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.

List of online resources related to Covid support: Dept. of Mental Health online resources

Academic, College, and Career Information

12th Grade Students and Parents:

Understanding your College Financial Aid Offer

 Take a Virtual College Tour

E-Campus Tours

You Visit

Online Career Awareness Activities:

Click here for career resources you can use from home.

Free Academic Tutoring and Test Prep

SC Discus: Free Tutoring 

SC Dept. of Ed Remote Learning Site 

ACT Test Preparation

SAT Test Preparation

ASVAB Test Preparation