| In 1990, Catawba County Department of Social
Services, in a unique collaborative effort with the Departments of Mental Health, Public
Health and the three school systems of Catawba County, established a pilot program to
combine resources to address the often complex needs of children in educational settings.
The program called the Department of Human Resource Team or DHR serves hundreds of
children within the primary grades. DHR teams currently serve all Hickory City, one
Newton-Conover and nine Catawba County Elementary schools for a total of 15 schools. A
commitment to expand the program to all elementary schools has been made by the Catawba
County Commissioners.
 The DHR team is multi-disciplinary consisting of social work services from the
Department of Social Services, psychological services from Mental Health, and nursing
services from Public Health. These professionals work with the school, child and his/her
caretakers regarding the child's problems that are interfering with a successful school
experience. Services include individual counseling and group therapy at the school,
consultation with teachers, behavioral interventions, home visits, assistance with medical
appointments and referral services.
Individually, the role of each team member is:
Nurse: Plans and coordinates health related school services including health
screening and follow-up, health education, and health promotion activities for students
and faculty.
Psychologist: Assesses the needs of identified children using a variety of
psychological techniques and skills, including intellectual, personality, and projective
measures. Treatment methods may include individual, family and/or group therapy and
consultation.
Social Worker: Provides assessment and treatment to children exhibiting learning
difficulties or behavioral/social problems in the school setting. Treatment strategies
include home visits, individual, family, and group therapy and referral services.
Click Here to see the locations of the schools we serve
The DHR Program is open to all students at the school and with written parent
permission.
DHR MISSION
The mission of the DHR Team is to address the health, psychological, and psychosocial
issues which interfere with a child's ability to learn in the classroom.
DHR GOALS
- Increase Parent Involvement
- Improve School Attendance
- Decrease Diciplinary Actions
- Identify Health Needs That Interfere With The Learning Process
- Improve Academic Performance
STUDENTS TRYING OUT PEACE (S.T.O.P.)
School violence appears to be reaching near epidemic proportions in the United States.
The Catawba County Department of Social Services and Mental Health Services of Catawba
County have taken the initiative to develop interventions for elementary school students
to prevent violence both in and out of school.
 
The S.T.O.P. - Students Trying Out Peace program has several components to address
different areas of violence prevention. These components include anger management,
conflict resolution, social skills and character building. It is our hope that the
tragedies which have touched so many communities across the country will never happen
here. We feel it is imperative that we be proactive in our approach to violence
prevention. Through support from the schools, community, parents, and students we can work
together to keep our children safe and help them to receive a quality education.
THE REFERRAL PROCESS FOR STUDENTS
School referral: the child is identified by the school as needing
services, and after consultation with the student assistance team and school counselor on
the appropriateness of a DHR referral, the teacher contacts the parents for verbal
permission to refer to the Team.
Agency referral: the individual agency identifies children who could
benefit from DHR team services. At this point the family's worker completes the referral
form, gives it to the DHR team who notifies the school counselor of the referral.
Parent referral: there are times when a parent comes to the school
requesting assistance for problems mostly experienced in the home and the Team is used as
a resource.
After a referral is made to DHR, the team meets to determine the appropriate plan of
action.
****At no time is a child entered into the DHR program unless the
parent or custodial agency signs a written permission form consenting for services. The
DHR program is a totally voluntary program.****
TEAM MEMBERS
Social Workers
Eleanor Liles, ACBSW; Melissa Leonhardt, BA; Pam Kidwell, BA; Mary Ruff, LPC; Bridgette
Evans, MA; Renee Bridges, BS; Billy Poindexter, CSW; Kevin Siers, BA
Psychologists
Fred Kesler, LPA; Lynn James-Smith, LPA; Janine Szymanski, LPA and Donna Dell, LPA
School Nurses
Donna Hall, RN; Britt Abernathy, RN; Gloria Newton, RN; Sandy Wilson, RN; and Rhonda
Stikeleather, RN
Which Team Serves Your School?
WEBSITES WITH HELPFUL INFORMATION ON CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
For more information, contact:
Melissa Riddle, MSW, LCSW
Prevention Unit Supervisor
Prevention Home
Revised: 10/16/2005
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