Student Counseling Program Reinstated At Buffalo Grove High: Village

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Following the success of the program during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, Buffalo Grove High School will soon reinstate a student counseling program at the school. The Village of Buffalo Grove announced opioid settlement funds will finance the program's return.

The Village is partnering with School District 214 and OMNI, a Wheeling-based student counseling service, for the program starting next month. The program is intended to support the mental health and substance use challenges faced by BGHS students and their families.

Through the program, a Licensed Social Worker will be at BGHS for 15 hours per week providing tailored support, including individual and group therapy, mental health awareness education, after-hours family counseling, parent coaching, and mentoring/life skills. Officials said these services are designed to address various challenges such as stress, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse, ensuring comprehensive care for students and families within the community.

In the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, OMNI counseling services at BGHS served 23 and 35 students respectively, conducting over 340 therapy sessions, according to the Village. The 2025 initiative builds on that success, offering even more comprehensive support to meet the growing needs of the Buffalo Grove community.

"This partnership represents our commitment to the well-being of our youth and their families," said Brittany Wilson, BGPD social worker, who has spearheaded the initiative. "By providing accessible and affordable mental health resources directly in the school, we can address critical needs and foster a stronger, healthier community."

An annual amount of $58,000 can hire a (15-hour-a-week) LSW in-house at Buffalo Grove High School for the next four years. With the Village of Buffalo Grove receiving additional opioid settlement funds over the next 17 years, this program aims to establish a sustainable model that can continue supporting the mental health and substance abuse needs of the community for years to come, according to officials.