In Putnam County School District in Palatka, Florida, 16 school counselors serve over 10,000 students across 20 schools. Sixty-eight percent of the student body is economically disadvantaged.
Educators in the district wanted to address students struggling to self-regulate their behaviors and emotions. Counselors spent a lot of time with the same few students who kept returning to the office. That’s when the district’s Director of Student Services introduced staff to Alongside as a potential Tier 1 solution.
“We love Alongside, and we hope it continues to improve our students' behavior, mental health, and self-regulation and help our school thrive," - Brittani Phillips, School Counselor
The district piloted the app at one middle school in the spring of 2023 and purchased it for three schools this year. Since rolling out Alongside, counselors have spent less time managing behavior in the hallways and mediating student conflicts. Phillips said she has seen fewer new student behavior referrals, and those referred students saw staff for minor infractions.
“Students were very receptive [to Alongside]—and you could tell they didn’t want to show us they were excited about it because we showed it to them—but since September I can see a difference in our middle schoolers,” says Brittani Phillips, a seventh-grade school counselor at Interlachen Junior/ Senior High School. “They are less antsy and less confrontational with one another.”
Instead of leaving class and visiting the guidance office, students use Alongside to self-regulate in their classrooms. They also use the online journal and watch videos on the app. Recent Alongside usage data shows that students are particularly interested in videos that address family dynamics.
While some students repeatedly seek a counselor’s support, others are reluctant to talk to school staff about their fears, problems, and feelings. Alongside helped both types of students proactively manage their emotions before they escalated to a referral or behavioral infraction.
Below, Diana Drew, Putnam County Schools' Director of Student Services, digs in deeper on various benefits her team is experiencing.
Keeping Students in the Classroom
Instead of leaving class to visit the guidance office, students now use Alongside to self-regulate within their classrooms. They engage with the app’s online journal and educational videos, particularly those addressing family dynamics. Alongside has helped students who are reluctant to speak with counselors manage their emotions proactively, reducing the need for formal referrals and behavioral infractions.
Allowing students to responsibly use mental health tools has empowered them to take charge of their well-being. Positive feedback from teachers and the ability of guidance counselors to prioritize students in crisis underscore the benefits of this approach.
Drew notes that it's crucial to choose the right individuals to implement these tools, ensuring they can champion the initiative and support teachers. This strategy has significantly increased student agency in managing their mental health.
Leveraging Data for Insight
The dashboard provided by Alongside offers valuable insights into student engagement. It reveals that most student chats focus on family and relationship issues rather than academic concerns like grades. This data aligns with the district’s understanding of their students' circumstances, including displacement, homelessness, and foster care. The dashboard helps guidance counselors and support staff address these issues more effectively.
Compliance with State Regulations
In Florida, adhering to specific rules and legislation regarding parental rights is essential. Drew appreciates Alongside's ability to be responsive to these state-specific regulations, ensuring that Alongside's content and student safety protocols comply with legal requirements and provide a supportive experience for students.
Culture, Climate & Keeping an Open Mind
The implementation of Alongside has positively impacted school climate and culture, something Drew feels is a particular challenge for small, rural districts with limited staff. She notes that the accessibility of Alongside has been crucial for students facing diverse and challenging home environments. Drew emphasizes how Alongside has been a critical piece of her team's efforts to reduce the stigma around seeking mental health support. She encourages other district and school leaders to keep an open mind about the impact of technology tools on their school environments.
Conclusion
Putnam County’s experience with Alongside demonstrates how integrating technology into mental health support can transform student well-being and school dynamics. By enhancing accessibility, empowering students, and aligning with state regulations, Alongside has become a valuable asset in supporting the district’s diverse student population.
