Wellness and Mental Health
Our Academic Support and Mental Health Support Providers help our students with time management skills and provide social-emotional support for students who are experiencing stress and anxiety. In the Wellness space, students have access to social-emotional resources, tools, and a quiet space to focus and tend to their basic needs.
Request Support Now
Please fill out the form, and a mental health support provider will contact you as soon as possible. Responses and communication are available Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4 pm only.
If you are having a psychiatric or physical emergency, please call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital.
Contact Us
Arnika Nichols
Academic Support Provider
Email: anichols@vcusd.org
Judith Clowes
Mental Health Support Provider Special Education
Email: jclowes@vcusd.org
Fostering a Safe and Supportive Space
The John Finney High School Wellness Center is an alternative space outside of the traditional class setting where students can come and engage with wellness activities, develop healthy practices, learn about their mental health, discuss their concerns with caring staff, and reset if needed. The Wellness Center is visited by at least 33% of our students throughout the school day. All students have access when needed. We understand that students are able to focus on their learning when their social and emotional needs are being met.
Wellness Center Services
![Check-In Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943424/vcusdorg/lw4hu9cr7dns45bkwiiz/Check-In.png","width":217}])
Check-In
![Class Wide Interventions Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943424/vcusdorg/evfxzlebyafwjtzuh5kd/ClassWideInterventions.png","width":217}])
Class Wide Interventions
![Morning Exercise Groups Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943424/vcusdorg/ifdeisruxjabg73imrbz/MorningExerciseGroups.png","width":217}])
Morning Exercise Groups
![Music Therapy Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943424/vcusdorg/rz8yyx8llfcxs8vnfr0r/MusicTherapy.png","width":217}])
Music Therapy
![Referral Services Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943425/vcusdorg/v1eb35qhwrbpctvxbl1c/ReferralServices.png","width":217}])
Referral Services
![Rest Mood and Mind Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943425/vcusdorg/fnclnnuuv6adwkipr0ae/RestMoodandMind.png","width":217}])
Rest Mood and Mind
![Restorative Conversations Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943424/vcusdorg/ybjqdkc0xg5ipul0b4ph/RestorativeConversations.png","width":217}])
Restorative Conversations
![Social and Emotional Learning Arts and Crafts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943424/vcusdorg/uqdiowev7ipkmoenn3yf/SELArtsandCrafts.png","width":217}])
Social and Emotional Learning Arts and Crafts
![Therapeutic Conversation Icon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718943425/vcusdorg/yr1m1xqyopkguzbp5jyp/TherapeuticConversation.png","width":217}])
Therapeutic Conversation
Care Solace
Care Solace connects students, staff, and their families to care. At no cost to you, Care Solace will quickly and confidentially find available mental health and substance use providers matched to your needs.
Multilingual Support is Always Available
A multilingual team is available 24/7/365 to help you understand options, call providers on your behalf, and schedule an appointment.
Accessible Care for All, Regardless of Insurance
Connect to care with any coverage including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.
Simple and Easy Access to Care Services
Use Care Match, our anonymous self-serve website, to find available providers or services on your own.
Our Approach to Mental Health and Academic Success
A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
MTSS, or Multi-Tiered System of Supports, is a comprehensive framework designed to help our schools identify and assist students who may be struggling. By focusing on the "whole child," MTSS not only addresses academic growth but also supports students' behavioral, social, emotional, and attendance needs. This proactive approach ensures that every student receives the timely and effective support they need to succeed.
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Response to Intervention is a system incorporated within MTSS that helps schools support students who are struggling academically.
