Here you will find a variety of community resources to help support our families and community members with their specific needs. Click on the links below to view the resources available. If you have any questions about the resources or need additional information please contact our district social workers.
Crisis Resources
Adult Protective Services (APS)
https://aging.georgia.gov/report-elder-abuse/adult-protective-services-aps
1-866-552-4464
Child Abuse Reporting
https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/child-abuse-neglect
1-855-422-4453
Georgia Crisis and Access Line
1-800-715-4225
Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255
988 Lifeline
Call or Text 988
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Texting Mental Health Crisis Line
Text ‘4Hope’ to 741741
Police Department
Jasper Police Department
(706) 692-9110 (non-emergency)
Mental Health Resources
School-Based Therapy
Pickens County School District has partnered with Georgia H.O.P.E. and Highland Rivers to offer mental health therapy and consultation services right inside your child’s school building. Please speak to your child’s school counselor if you are interested in obtaining services.
School Counseling Teams
Each school has their own school counselor(s) available to help you and your child. Please visit your child’s school website to find out your child’s school counselor and their contact information.
Social Work Team
PCSD has two licensed social workers, Kayla Kinser and Whitney Carnes that are available to provide resources to help you meet your child’s basic, educational, academic, and socio-emotional needs. Please reach out to one of them if you need help in one of these areas: KaylaKinser@pickenscountyschools.org or WhitneyCarnes@pickenscountyschools.org
Pickens County Sheriff Rapid Response Team
Marc WIlliams (706) 253-8900 or (678) 236-2112
Substance Abuse and Treatment
SAMHSA- Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration https://www.samhsa.gov/ visit their website for treatment locators and brochures on talking to your kids about addiction and staying safe. SAMHSA national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
AA – call for a meeting near you 1-866-671-0594
Al-Anon/ Al-Ateen – support group for families of drug/alcohol family members. Visit https://al-anon.org/ to find a group near you.
Nicotine and Addiction - SmokefreeTXT for teens- Teens ages 13–17 years old in the United States who want to be smoke-free. You will receive 3-5 messages per day to encourage you and support you. https://teen.smokefree.gov
Talking with Teens About Vaping - http://getparentingtips.com
Printed handouts:
What You Need to Know and How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping
Common Diagnosis, Concerns, Support and Information
ADHD
To learn more about symptoms, treatment, tools and strategies, as well as common issues kids and teens face visit: https://www.moretoadhd.com/
Autism
To obtain resources providing information on autism and helpful guides and tools to support you and your family visit:
100 days kit Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org
AWAARE Collaboration https://awaare.nationalautismassociation.org/
15 Activities, Teaching Strategies, and Resources for Teaching Children with Autism www.Waterford.org
Anxiety
To learn more about the signs, symptoms and coping strategies of anxiety visit
Does My Child Have an Anxiety Disorder?
Depression
To learn more about the signs, symptoms and coping strategies of depression visit
https://www.erikaslighthouse.org/
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Self-Harm/ Suicidal Ideation
To learn more about prevention, signs and treatment options visit:
Help for Cutting and Other Self-Injury
Printed handouts
Separation and Divorce
https://www.columbusfamilylaw.org/news/resources-for-children-of-divorce-and-separation/
Domestic Violence
Talking to Kids About Tragedy
https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/parenting/talking-to-kids-about-tragedy
Calming/Relaxation Resources
Calming Apps
Please note: these apps are free to download but might have additional features that cost money.
Calm - Calm your mind with meditation, sleep stories, and restful music
Head Space - Meditation, Mindfulness, and Sleep
My Life Meditation (formally known as Stop Breathe and Think) - Guided Meditation for Sleep, Stress, Anxiety and Relaxation
Insight Timer - Meditation, Sleep, Music
Smiling Mind - Free app geared toward kids and adults. Meditations for younger children are parent- child focused. Sensory exercises and breathing meditations
The Mindfulness App - Relax, Calm, Focus, and Sleep
Sleep Sounds - Relax &Sleep- sounds for sleep, nature, beach, forest, rain sounds
I Am - Daily affirmations and reminders for self care
Websites that promote relaxation
Mindful doodling https://zentangle.com/pages/get-started
Gratitude journaling https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/gratitude
Mandala Coloring https://mondaymandala.com/
Relaxing Sounds https://noises.online/
Guided Imagery https://www.headspace.com/
Grief, Loss, and Trauma
Grief and Loss
Trauma/Abuse - to learn more about trauma and its impact on children visit: