Counseling

The MNMSD counseling team consisting of the school counselor, school social worker and student support specialist provides school counseling to students as mandated by their IEP – Individualized Education Plan, as well as informal counseling as needed.

MNMSD is committed to providing a safe environment for all students to achieve to the best of their ability. The three main aspects of development which our department focuses on are academic, career and personal/social.

Meet the Counseling Team:

• School Social Worker – Jennifer Nola, LCSW (516) 922-4100 ext. 272, [email protected] 
• School Counselor – Patricia Maurelli, BCBA, LMHC (516) 922-4100 ext. 245, [email protected] 
• Student Support Specialist – Eve Pollack, BA (516) 922-4100 ext.310, [email protected] 

Services Provided:

• Crisis intervention support
• Goal oriented individual counseling relative to student achievement and school success
• Therapeutic groups
• Referrals to outside services to help students and their families
• Collaboration with teachers, support staff, and families to support student success and social emotional problems and/or growth
• Ensure all NYS graduation requirements are being met
• Assistance with college planning
• Work with the vocational / work program for high school students
• Referrals to ACCESS VR, OPWDD AND CBVH
• Assist with the transition process to CPSE, CSE and beyond high school

Further Information:

• OPWDD – Office for People with Developmental Disabilities https://opwdd.ny.gov/ The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome and other neurological impairments. It provides services directly and through a network of nonprofit service providing agencies.
• ACCES VR – Adult Career and Continuing Education Services and Vocational Rehabilitation http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr  Assisting individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living.
• CBVH – Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/nyscb/ The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind is to enhance employability, to maximize independence and to assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind. For more information or to find a local District Office please call: 1-866-871-3000

Important Links for College Bound Students: 

• Financial Aid Information: In order to qualify for any financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1 of your senior year of high school and should be completed by January 1. https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 
• CSS Profile: The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. Not all colleges use the CSS Profile. https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ 
• Types of Financial Aid: Pell Grants, Work Study, TAP
  • Grants: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants 
  • Work Study: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/work-study 
  • TAP:https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap/apply-for-tap.html 

Mental Health Links:

• Child Abuse and Maltreatment – Child Protective Services website – http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/
  • If you suspect abuse or maltreatment, report it now.
  • Call our Statewide Toll Free Telephone Number: 1-800-342-3720
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call TDD/TTY at 1-800-638-5163 or have your Video Relay System provider call 1-800-342-3720
  • If you believe that a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department.

• The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 is a 24/7, 365 day a year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This is a toll-free, multilingual and confidential crisis support service to all residents of the U.S. and its territories. Stress, anxiety and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TALKWITHUS to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

• The New York State Office of Mental Health has a NYS Emotional Support Line staffed by specially trained volunteers at 1-844-863-9314. https://omh.ny.gov/ 

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Dial 988 There are trained crisis workers available 24/7. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. All calls are toll free and confidential.

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) –  has a national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)/1-800-487-4889 (TDD). SAMHSA offers free and confidential information in English and Spanish to individuals and family members 24/7. https://www.samhsa.gov/ 

• New York State Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906