Post Falls School District supports students’ social, emotional, mental and physical health through a variety of programs and services. For example, all staff are trained in suicide prevention through QPR (Question Persuade Refer). Periodic refresher opportunities are conducted per Idaho Code each year for all staff. Also, the district recently increased the number of Behavior Interventionists to assist individuals and groups of students.
The secondary schools (grades 6-12) implemented the Sources of Strength program in 2019. Sources of Strength is a strength-based, comprehensive wellness program that focuses on suicide prevention, but also impacts other issues such as substance abuse and violence. The program is based on a relational connections model that uses teams of Peer Leaders mentored by Adult Advisors to change peer social norms about help seeking and encourages students to individually assess and develop strengths in their life.
Post Falls School District also partners with Heritage Health at the secondary level to provide additional social work services beyond what is provided by school staff. A cadre of counselors will be trained in October 2021 to conduct Making Sense of Your Own Worth sessions with groups of teens who have experienced chronic stress or trauma. The high school uses the LINK program to orient freshmen and build connections with older peers. Our alternative high school uses the CORE Project as their advisory curriculum to meet the specialized needs of an at-risk student population in building a sense of community and belonging.
Elementary counselors (grades k-5) cover three units of study. These include: bully prevention, skills for learning (specifically conflict resolution which includes how to solve problems, identifying and managing feelings, being a good listener, and having "grit") and personal safety.