School-Based Supports
Students at Forest Hills School District are supported by a wide-variety of school-based services, programs and approaches to help create a safe, secure and inclusive culture that fosters personal responsibility and the well-being of students and staff.
School Counselors
Mission Statement
The Forest Hills Local School District provides a comprehensive K-12 school counseling program that prepares and inspires all students to achieve high standards of excellence in a constantly changing world. As school counselors, we work to ensure that all students feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning environment. The school counseling program delivers intentional interventions that are evidence-based and data-driven. Preventative programs paired with these interventions help remove academic, career, and social/emotional barriers allowing all students to achieve personal success every day. The school counseling department partners with other educators and stakeholders to advocate for equity, access, and success for all.
School Psychologists
School psychologists work in all nine FHSD school buildings to offer support and interventions to students, which is in line with standards set by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. The psychologists are closely involved in evaluations for special education needs and are trained to conduct psychological and academic assessments. At FHSD, school psychologists are heavily involved in and help lead the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports model.
PBIS Model
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a portion of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), is a framework that takes a proactive approach to coordinate behavioral and social supports. The goal is to empower students to display appropriate behaviors so they can be contributing, successful members of their communities. PBIS helps students learn the social, behavioral and emotional skills that are necessary for academic achievement. You can learn more about PBIS here.
Click here to view the comprehensive 2024-2025 PBIS Evaluation and Outcomes Report.
Highlights from the 2024-2025 PBIS Evaluation and Outcomes Report:
- 13% decrease in office discipline referrals (compared to the 23-24 school year)
- 108 recovered hours of instructional time
- 135 recovered hours of administrative time
- 76% Tier 2 effectiveness at FHSD is above the 70% national benchmark
- 90-100% of students and school staff can identify behavioral expectations
School-Based Therapy Providers
FHSD partners with Necco and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to offer school-based therapy services to students. With Necco serving students in all six elementary schools and Cincinnati Children's based in the middle and high schools, the district hopes this makes it easier for parents and guardians to access potential services for their children.
These efforts are intended to increase overall access to care, which was identified by students, families and staff members as a top priority in the needs assessment conducted in partnership with MindPeace. FHSD partners with MindPeace to evaluate and improve our systems of wellness, and the local mental health advocacy organization assisted the district in selecting these providers.
As a reminder, the school-based mental health services follow an open referral model that requires the approval and involvement of a parent or guardian for a student to participate. Families who receive school-based services, provided by the mental health partner, utilize their personal health insurance coverage to pay for treatment.
Sources of Strength
Anderson High School, Turpin High School and Nagel Middle School use Sources of Strength Ohio as a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Sources of Strength is a comprehensive wellness program that focuses on suicide prevention but impacts other issues such as substance abuse, bullying and violence. This evidence-based program utilizes a strength-based, positive approach to mental health promotion and the prevention of adverse outcomes like suicide, violence, bullying and substance misuse.
