Student Support Services

School Social Workers provide a link between the school, home and community.  School social workers are available to provide the following services to all students.  

• crisis intervention

• referral and consultation

• peer mediation/conflict resolutions

• prevention and education

• brief treatment

• family support

• advocacy

School social workers can provide goal-directed services to special education students and are active in the special education assessment process as well as providing direct or indirect services.  School social workers consult with teachers and administrators. 618-474-2700

• Jane Higgins - 9th grade and Self-Contained Autism (extension 10353 or jhiggins@altonschools.org) 

• Linda Wittman - extension 16236 or lwittman@altonschools.org 

During this time, it is important to realize you are not alone.  Our lives have changed so drastically.  Please contact your counselor or social worker if you need to talk.  Parents, please reach out you know your child better than anyone.  

You can text a live, trained crisis counselor the word HELLO at 741741

IL Call4Calm text line is support and referral, not a crisis line 24 hours a day.  Text TALK to 552020.  You can call The Warm Line at 1-866-359-7953 from 8 AM- 8 PM for support with mental health or substance abuse.

We often help those whose personal or family issues are negatively impacting their ability to function well in school.  Chances are if you're trying to figure out how to deal with a situation, others before you have to so you're not alone and we can help.  

We support students and parents to work through issues including but not limited to:

• Bereavement

• Abuse

• Bullying

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Self-harming behavior

• Parent-child conflict

• Mental illness

Students and parents should feel free to contact their child's social worker or school counselor at any time.   

Confidentiality is of primary concern and will be maintained, except in circumstances in which someone is believed to be in danger of being hurt. Students who might feel embarrassed about seeking help in school should know that our guidance counselors work with all students throughout the year so nobody will know what brought you into our office. Every effort is made to protect students’ privacy. 

We can also guide you with referrals to outside therapists and agencies as needed. We ask that you speak with your school counselor rather than self-referring, so we can refer you to appropriate therapists and organizations with whom we have had good experiences.

Erin’s Law is intended to help children, teachers, and parents in schools identify sexual abuse, and to provide awareness, assistance, referral, or resource information for children and families who are victims of child sexual abuse.  Please see the video below for more information.