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Welcome to the School Social Worker’s Page
School Social Worker
Jennifer Hood
Email Jennifer.Hood@psd150.org
Office phone number: 309.693.4400 ext. 30154
Google Voice phone number: 708-405-9431 Call or Text
For Information on Social Emotional Learning regarding COVID 19 please visit this page here https://www.peoriapublicschools.org/Page/28833
For any other questions feel free to access the Richwoods Counseling Website here https://www.peoriapublicschools.org/Page/3140
What is a School Social Worker?
School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.
What does the school social worker do at Richwoods?
At Richwoods the school social worker is there to complete special education and 504 evaluations, provide counseling to students in special education with social emotional needs, aid all students that are in crisis, provide education regarding mental health, address social emotional concerns, provide resources as needed, consult with school staff and parents/guardians, and advocate for students, families, and teachers.
What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
What is mental Illness?
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.
Don’t forget your Coping Skills and Self Care!
Try these simple coping skills
- Take a break
- Taking deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth *pretend you are blowing out a candle that is across the room)
- Getting a drink of water
- Exercise, get that body moving
- Plan a perfect vacation in your head
- Think of your favorite person or place
- Draw, paint create some type of art
- Stretch tight muscles - neck, shoulders, back, etc
- Listen to music
- Go for a walk outside if you are safe to do so
- Reading a book
- Talk about what is going on with a trusted person
- Have a personal Dance party
- Sing a favorite song - Singing is proven to boost moods
- Try Yoga https://www.youtube.com/c/YogaLearningAdventures
- Utilize District 150's Virtual Calming room District 150 Virtual Calming Room
Having trouble solving a problem? Try the problem solving process.
What is a healthy relationship?
Resources
Mental Health/Abuse/Neglect
- UnityPoint Health - UnityPlace provides resources and treatment for those in need of emergency response services relating to mental health and addiction disorders. UnityPlace can be reached by phone at 309-681-8084
- Domestic violence hotline - 1-877-863-6338
- Department of children, family and services - 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117)
Community – food, shelter, rent/utility assistance
- Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 - Access to information or assistance with food, shelter, clothing, rental/utility assistance, physical or mental health services, transportation assistance, meal delivery. Call 2-1-1 or 309-299-4029 or visit http://211hoi.org/
- Peoria Cares - The city of Peoria’s Community Development Department aims to promote safe and affordable housing for tenants and homeowners by fighting blight in our neighborhoods. Residents encountering health, life, and safety issues in their rental units are encouraged to report issues to Peoria Cares at (309) 494-2273 or online at peoriagov.org/peoria-cares .
- Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 - For more information on rental assistance, utility payment assistance, and other services offered in our community, please contact 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (309) 999-4029 on any phone or visiting 211hoi.org .
Self-harm and Thoughts of Suicide
- United Way 211 - 309-999-4029 or call 2-1-1
- Peoria County Emergency Response Service – 309-671-8084
- Tazewell, Woodruff County Crisis and Referrals – 309-347-1148
- Unity Point Crisis - (309) 671-8084 – Any age
- Children’s Home Crisis (children only) - 309-687-8600
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Options for Deaf + Hard of Hearing