The District provides school-based mental health/ wellness services and resources https://iusd.org/department/mental-health-wellness to students and families. These services include short-term individual or group counseling for students at the school site; short-term, solution-focused therapy for students and families through the Irvine Family Resource Center; and resource linkages to community-based mental health or social services for students and families. Services are provided by counselors or licensed mental health professionals
Meet the Team
Hi! My name is Jami Capps and I am the Elementary Resource Counseling Specialist at Santiago Hills Elementary. I have been working with children and at-risk adolescents for over 9 years. I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts, a Master’s Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family, and then pursued a Pupil Personnel School Counseling Credential from National University. I interned over 3,000 hours with adults and adolescents toward my Marriage and Family Therapist licensure. My passion is to build strong relationships with students to ensure they are receiving social-emotional and mental wellness support throughout their day. I facilitate individual and small group counseling, crisis assessment/intervention, and mental health consultation utilizing solution-focused methods and an emphasis on social-emotional learning with the goal of positive behavior change, and provide outside counseling referrals and community resources.
Should you feel that your child could benefit from counseling services, please feel free to contact me. I am on site full-time, Monday through Friday. You can reach me via phone (949) 936-6043, or email jamicapps@iusd.org.
Mrs. Kimberly Wu has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's in Counseling, and P.P.S. credential form LMU. She has been working in schools in the area of mental health for over 10 yrs. She is passionate about children's social emotional learning, and well-being, and supporting them during their foundational years of development. She is a mother of two young boys who keep her busy! Kimberly is on site on Tuesdays.
What is social emotional learning (sel)?
In a world where emotional intelligence is critical for lifelong happiness, successful careers, and healthier relationships, social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults can better understand, manage, and express emotions and empathy, develop positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL curricula teach children techniques that help them gain confidence, set and achieve positive goals, collaborate well, and navigate the world more effectively—adding a highly valuable dimension to education in the classroom. (CASEL, “What is SEL?”)
Second step program
The Second Step program teaches SEL skills in the following four areas:
1. Skills for Learning: Students gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk to stay on task, and assertiveness when asking for help with schoolwork.
2. Empathy: Students learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings, ways to understand another’s perspective, and how to show compassion.
3. Emotion Management: Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings, such as worry or anger.
4. Problem Solving: Students learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way.
Our Guidance Assistant (GA) provides classroom lessons from the evidence-based Second Step program, and supports students with additional opportunities to practice these skills in a small group setting. With parent permission, small group services are provided during the school day, for approximately 30 minutes, weekly. Every effort will be made to minimize the loss of important instructional time.
individual & small group counseling
The Elementary Resource Counseling program is designed to provide opportunities for students to participate in individual and small group counseling experiences that provide support and skill building for coping with family stressors, academic struggles, and personal issues. It is not unusual for students to need focused help to strengthen their social-emotional skills in order to be more learning ready during different times in their childhood. Many children struggle from time to time with a range of family and life circumstances (divorce, loss, stress) that make coming to school more difficult, and we are here to offer tools and support. Small group and individual counseling can be an excellent way for students to learn new skills, develop self-confidence, adjust behaviors, and learn to deal with challenges in healthy ways.
Services are provided during the school day for approximately 30 minutes. These services are free of charge and voluntary. Every effort will be made to minimize the loss of important instructional time. School- based counseling is short-term and typically ends after 8-10 weeks. Parent permission required. Please Note: Information shared by your child in counseling sessions will be kept confidential unless there is an indication that your child is in danger of hurting himself/herself or others, that someone may be hurting your child.
Parent resources
Please find articles related to your child's wellbeing and social and emotional development listed here. Should you need further support or information, please contact Mimi Marrocco at 949-936-6043 or email her at mimimarrocco@iusd.org
10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids
Tips for Creating a Coping Skills Toolbox
Tips for Building Healthy Friendships
Tips for Setting Healthy Boundaries
Connecting Through Communication
"Speak Up, We Care" Campaign Resource Page
Community Resources
Children’s Support and Parenting Program (CSPP) Services:
Psychoeducation groups for parents and caregivers with school-aged children.
(714) 480-4678 | www.ochealthinfo.com
The Prevention Center Services:
Parenting programs including parenting workshops, helping kids cope through divorce, and parenting resources.
(714) 543-4333 | www.BrightFutures4Kids.org
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center:
Santa Ana Services: Crisis line, outreach and survivor support services for family members of a person who committed suicide.
(714) 547-0855 | www.didihirsch.org/orange-county
OCHCA Behavioral Health Services
Behavioral Health Services provides programs available to Orange County residents seeking mental health and substance use treatment.
(714) 834-2077 | www.ochealthinfo.com/bhs/services
Greater Good Science Center – UC Berkeley
Uses scientific measures to study the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.
Community Mental Health Resources:
A brochure with resources on Substance Abuse, LGBTQIA Services, Shelters, Hotlines & Online Resources, Culturally Centered Services, Parenting Resources, Community Resources, Intensive Mental Health Services, Suicide Prevention, Housing Resources, and Legal Resources
District Resources
Irvine Family Resource Center Services:
Short-term, solution-focused individual and family therapy, resource linkage and referrals, and parent education/support groups to IUSD families K-12.
(949) 936-7504 | https://iusd.org/about/departments/education-services/student-support-services/mental-health-and-wellness/irvine
Prevention and Intervention Brochure
A brochure which provides a brief overview on Prevention and Intervention staff and contact information