When a student has a problem it rarely involves only the student. School performance and relationships both in and outside the family can be affected. Often parents don't know where to turn. If they go one place for counseling, they often have to work out solutions to the school-related problems with the staff of the school. The Spencerport Family Support Center (FSC) brings all the issues together to help the students to get back on track.

Funded by a federal grant secured by Spencerport Central School District, the Town of Ogden and the Village of Spencerport, as well as several other community agencies, the new FSC will most likely be a model for other communities. The center is located in the district's Administration Building at 71 Lyell Avenue and is accessible to all families located in the Spencerport School District.

Coordinator Mark Fish, who has a master's degree in counseling from Alfred University and a Certificate of Family Therapy from the University of Rochester, says the FSC will offer counseling services, workshops and presentations. He says focus will be on "working together to address academic, social and emotional issues." The FSC will work with families in identifying, accessing and coordinating services.

Barb Christensen, prevention coordinator, has a prevention certificate from New York state through the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. She says that she will be talking to classes and community groups as well as putting on workshops not only in the area of substance abuse, but also such issues as depression and suicide. Topics to be presented, for instance, would be symptoms of depression, how to recognize depression in a friend and who to contact for help.

Director of Student Services Terry Hedges said that the original idea came from Fish who presented it to him and then to the district's mental health team. Hedges has taught middle school and was the assistant principal at the Cosgrove Middle School for 11 years. In his current position, Hedges has assumed responsibilities for all mental health service providers in the district, including social workers and psychologists. He also works with the school nurses and has worked towards the realization of a comprehensive health and wellness approach to the curriculum and day-to-day operations of the teaching and learning process. He said that once presented with the idea, he has supported "him (Fish) all the way."

Most FSC services and programs are free. Referrals made to outside agencies may be eligible for insurance coverage or a sliding fee scale. Families will not be denied support based on inability to pay. Short-term counseling is available for individuals, for families and deals with issues such as alcohol and other drug use, crisis situation and grief counseling.

Besides working directly with families, the FSC holds parenting workshops and educational presentations. A resource library consisting of books, videos and other materials is available at no cost.
The mission statement reads as follows, "Family, School Community - working together to promote positive youth development and to address questions or challenges, from the simple to the complex, about raising kids in today's world."

The FSC is currently working with a number of students and community adults to plan a Youth Fest no May 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Taylor Elementary School. It will be open to all district families at no cost and will feature a number of student-led activities and talents.

To access the FSC's programs and services, call the FSC, contact the child's school or visit the FSC to talk with a staff member or preview the resource library. Evening and summer hours are available. The phone number is 349-5155.