Crisis Response Counseling
The Elizabethtown Area School District partners with Empower the Mind to help the District remove barriers to learning for our students in grades 6-12. An onsite counselor from Empower the Mind will supplement our student support services division by providing crisis intervention services to secondary students in extreme and urgent need (i.e., self-harm, panic attacks, suicidal ideations, and danger to self or others).
The collaboration with Empower the Mind is part of our ongoing efforts to provide ALL students with an environment where they feel safe and one that is conducive to learning. This partnership will allow the District to assist students experiencing significant social and emotional challenges at a greater level than the District’s support service division can do. A member of our student support services division will work with a student who would benefit from the Empower the Mind Counselor. In some instances, timing is of the utmost importance. The Empower the Mind professional will begin their intervention immediately and be in contact with a parent/guardian during/after the crisis counseling as the situation fits. During a crisis the counselor may deem it necessary for students to be evaluated at a higher level and be recommended to be taken to the hospital for evaluation. At that time a parent/guardian will be contacted and asked to pick their student up. If refused, it is at the discretion of the counselor to call for EMS to transport the student for evaluation.
The crisis counseling services are provided at no cost to families, as the Board of School Directors approved this initiative as part of the annual school district budget. Upon completion of the immediate intervention, the Empower the Mind Counselor will provide follow-up but will not provide a complete evaluation or outpatient treatment services. It is up to you to decide if you want to obtain additional outside services for your child.
The partnership with Empower the Mind offers our District an outstanding community resource in our efforts to support the social-emotional needs of our students. With that said, parents/guardians have the right to opt their child out of receiving the services from Empower the Mind. Click on the link below to complete the online form if you wish to opt your child out of this service.
If you have any questions about our support services division or the partnership with Empower the Mind, contact Dr. Jennifer Fields, Supervisor of Student Services, by email at jennifer_fields@etownschools.org or by phone at (717) 367-1521.
Meet the Crisis Counselor
Katelyn Boucher
email: katelyn_boucher@etownschools.org
phone: (717) 367-1521, ext. 32135
Opt-out of Crisis Counseling Services
Crisis Counseling Opt-out Form
Additional Resources
In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you need prompt assistance during non-school hours, we also offer these resources:
- Safe2Say (844-723-2729)
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)
- Lancaster Crisis Intervention (717-394-2631)
- Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)