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Mental Health / Wellness

School Psychologist

In the Hernando County School District, a School Psychologist plays a critical role in supporting students' mental health, learning, and overall well-being.

  • Psychoeducational Assessments
    School psychologists systematically conduct assessments and gather data from multiple sources to support decision-making at the individual, group, and school-wide levels. They consider environmental factors such as classroom settings, family dynamics, and community influences as essential context for both assessment and intervention planning.
  • Academic Interventions and Instructional Supports
    School psychologists work collaboratively with educators, families, and other professionals to assess students and gather data that informs the development, implementation, and evaluation of services aimed at improving academic performance and behavioral skills.
  • Mental and Behavioral Health Services
    School psychologists, in collaboration with others, design, implement, and evaluate services that promote resilience and positive behavior, support socialization and adaptive skills, and enhance mental and behavioral health.
  • Promote Safe and Supportive Schools
    School psychologists collaborate with others to promote both preventive and responsive services that support student learning, mental and behavioral health, and overall safety. They play a key role in implementing effective strategies for crisis prevention, protection, response, and recovery.

Staff

Jack Bond

bond_j@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Paige Ermann

ermann_p@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Katie Garbia

garbia_m@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Michelle Gereaux

gereaux_m@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Allison Gibson

gibson_a@hcsb.k12.fl.us

Nakeysha Holden

holden_n@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Isaiah Ilowit

ilowit_i@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Caryn Ingle

ingle_c@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Mady Kahler

kahler_m@hcsb.k12.fl.us

Denise Knispel

knispel_d@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Holly Larkin

larkin_h@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Devon Minch

minch_d@hcsb.k12.fl.us

 

Rachel Smith

smith_r1@hcsb.k12.fl.us

We provide a full range of school psychological services aligned to the National Association of School Psychologists. Please click on the link for more information. 

Resources

  • Florida Statute 1003.42(2)- Resiliency Education, requires annually a minimum of five hours of instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to civic, character education and life skills education through resiliency education using the health education standards.

    Additionally, schools must annually provide instruction in grades k-12 related to youth substance use and abuse, health education, child trafficking prevention education, and online safety prevention education.

     Infographic detailing Florida's Resiliency Education program, including standards and resources.

     

    Hernando County School District (HCSD) must annually provide a minimum of five hours of data-driven instruction in grades 6-12 related to civic, character and life skills education through resiliency education. The instruction will advance each year through developmentally appropriate instruction and skill building and must address, the following topics:

     

    1.  Strategies specific to demonstrating resiliency through adversity, including the benefits of service to the community through volunteerism

    2.  Strategies to develop health characteristics that reinforce positive core values and foster resiliency such as:

         a.  Empathy, perseverance, grit, gratitude and responsibility

         b.  Critical thinking, problem solving and responsible decision-making

         c.  Self-awareness and self-management

         d.  Mentorship and citizenship

         e.  Honesty

    3. Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health concerns

    4. Promotion of resiliency to empower youth to persevere and reverse the harmful stigma of mental health by reframing the approach from mental health education to resiliency education

    5. Strategies to support a peer, friend or family members through adversity

    6. Prevention of suicide

    7. Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs

    8. Awareness of local school and community resources and the process for accessing assistance

    In addition, HCSD must annually provide instruction to students in grades K – 12 related to youth substance use and abuse health education, child trafficking prevention education and online safety prevention.

    More information can be found at:

    Healthy Education Rules Implementation Plan

    Resiliency Florida

  • Mental Health Resources (English)

    Mental Health Resources (Spanish)

    Resiliency and Mental Health Resources (FLDOE)

    Florida Department of Education