Elementary school years set the tone for developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for children to become healthy, productive adults. With a comprehensive developmental counseling program, counselors work as a team with school. Parents and community to create a caring atmosphere in which children's needs are met through prevention, early identification and intervention.

Guidance counselors work in every level of schooling from elementary to higher education. They work with both students and teachers to implement effective classroom guidance focusing on:

• understanding self and others
• coping strategies
• peer relationships and effective social skills
• communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution and study skills
• career awareness and the world of work
• substance education
• multicultural awareness

Guidance counselors also provide individual and small-group counseling to deal with such issues as:

• self-image and self-esteem
• personal adjustment
• family issues
• interpersonal concerns
• academic development
• behavior modification
• peer facilitation and peer mediation