Family Support Services
Grand Island School District Family Support Services (FSS) Program is happy to offer a variety of programs to families with students in need of mental health support. FSS has partnered with a variety of providers from the WNY community to offer students opportunities to engage in individual counseling sessions during the school day, at the District Office, or within their school building. The following service providers are available:
- Horizon Health Services is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at District Office, for students 10 and over.
- Gateway-Longview is at Huth Road and Kaegebein on Fridays to service our elementary students.
- Child and Family Services is available on Thursdays and Fridays, at District Office, to service all of our students.
Information and referrals to additional outside agencies and resources are also available in order to meet the needs of students and their families. Needs may include, but are not limited to, behavioral concerns, mental health challenges, parenting, marital issues, and alcohol and/or substance abuse. FSS is also able to link families with temporary support for basic needs such as food and clothing.
These services are coordinated by Jessica Hutchings, the district social worker and the counselors, psychologists and social workers within each building.
If families are inquiring about counseling or other resources for their children, they should contact the appropriate social worker or counselor directly.
It is our hope that Family Support Services will continue to expand and provide easier access to essential support services for both our students and their families in an effort to further promote healthy families and academic success.
Please see the list below to determine who to contact if you are interested in mental health counseling for your child.
- Brodie Kaiser or Sara Barczykowski - High School Social Workers
- Kathleen Shrader - Middle School Social Worker
- Alyssa Brown - Huth Road School Counselor
- Melissa Keem - Kaegebein School Social Worker
- Lauren Bradley - Sidway School Counselor
FSS also runs an educational series on emotional wellness. Parents will have opportunities throughout the school year to participate in these events virtually or in-person. If you are interested in seeing past presentations, please email Jessica Hutchings at jessicahutchings@gicsd.org for links to the recordings. Below is a link to a past presentation about coping with change.
Coping With Change
- Student Presentation (middle and high school audiences)
- Parent Presentation (for parents/caregivers with any school-aged child)
If you are interested in learning more about what the Family Support Services Program offers to families and the community, please contact Jessica Hutchings at jessicahutchings@gicsd.org or call 716-773-8881.
Watch the following video to learn how to use the Virtual Family Support Services office.
Visit the Family Support Services Virtual Office
Important Phone Numbers
- Spectrum (Kids) Cares: 716-882-4357
- 24 Hour Crisis Hotline, Erie County Crisis Services: 716-834-3131
- 24 Addiction Hotline, Buffalo and Erie County: 716-831-7007
Mental Health Resources
- GICSD Virtual Mental Health Website
- Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County
- The Trevor Project - National Hotline for LGBTQ Youth
Drug/Alcohol Education, Intervention & Treatment
- Kids Escaping Drugs - Education, Early Intervention, Inpatient Treatment
- Horizon Health Services - Outpatient Treatment
