(May 25, 2017) As the early childhood behavior health coach, a new position at Worcester County Schools, Anna Simulis, is responsible for promoting social emotional health at Pocomoke and Buckingham elementary schools as well as providing services to infants, toddlers and their families in the area.
In elementary schools, 22 percent of instruction time is spent dealing with behavioral issues that stem from a range of causes including drugs, domestic abuse, homelessness, hunger, incarceration, trauma and poverty.
“Young children’s mental health has significant implications for functioning across home, school and community settings,” Simulis said.
Simulis works with students and teachers to identify where the behavior originates and why it is occurring. Then, she helps build a resiliency and promotes protective factors to guard children from negative circumstances.
Social, emotional and behavioral challenges such as attention problems or aggression can compromise a child’s chances for success in school, officials said.
“Early onset of behavior problems without effective intervention is related to the need for special education services, delinquency and early school drop-out,” Simulis said.
Currently, more than 135 Worcester County Public School elementary students receive school-based mental health services and many others utilize office-based mental health services.
In elementary schools, 22 percent of instruction time is spent dealing with behavioral issues that stem from a range of causes including drugs, domestic abuse, homelessness, hunger, incarceration, trauma and poverty.
“Young children’s mental health has significant implications for functioning across home, school and community settings,” Simulis said.
Simulis works with students and teachers to identify where the behavior originates and why it is occurring. Then, she helps build a resiliency and promotes protective factors to guard children from negative circumstances.
Social, emotional and behavioral challenges such as attention problems or aggression can compromise a child’s chances for success in school, officials said.
“Early onset of behavior problems without effective intervention is related to the need for special education services, delinquency and early school drop-out,” Simulis said.
Currently, more than 135 Worcester County Public School elementary students receive school-based mental health services and many others utilize office-based mental health services.