Emotional Support

Amber Brumley, LCSW, PPSC

School Counselor

Contact

Maria Mishkind, LCSW

School Counselor

Social & Emotional Resources for Families

Monterey Bay Charter School is dedicated to providing social and emotional support for our students and their families. We are especially aware of the need for resources and support for our students as we continue to navigate this challenging learning environment and address social-emotional issues as a result of the pandemic. Relationships are incredibly important and we believe it is critical to place our students and families well being first. It is our goal to establish a positive and supportive learning environment. Please utilize the resources below, curated by our school counselors, Amber Brumley and Maria Mishkind.
Amber Brumley is thrilled to return to MBCS as a school counselor in addition to supervising Master’s level clinical interns. Amber graduated with honors from CSUMB with a B.A. in Psychology. She continued her graduate studies at CSUMB and graduated with a Master’s of Social Work and a P.P.S credential specializing in School Social Work as well as Child Welfare and Attendance. Having worked in higher education for ten years, Amber is enjoying the transition to K-12 education and becoming an integral part of the MBCS community. Amber values equity and believes in the personal dignity and value of each student and family that she serves. She is committed to helping all students reach their full academic, social, and emotional potential.
Maria Mishkind is excited to return to MBCS as a school counselor as well as being the field instructor for the two CSUMB clinical interns. Maria is a mom of three school-aged kids and two rescue puppies. Her life as a busy mom has informed her clinical approach to working with students and their families. Maria attended Wellesley College for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Education. She then attended New York University where she graduated with her Master’s in Social Work. Maria has been a child and family therapist for over 25 years.

Resources

Emotional Intelligence Tools

It is Okay to Ask for Help

Community resources, coping strategies, and crisis helpline information that may be helpful for your child(ren) or family.

MBCS Suicide Prevention Policy

Procedures in place to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene in, and respond to suicide.

A Prescription for Family Care

Healthy relationships, Exercise, Nutrition, Sleep, Mindfulness, Community resources for families and children and Support lines.

Emotional Wellness Checklist

Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.

Social and Emotional Learning

There are many ways parents can encourage emotionally intelligent behavior in their children. Check out this guide to resources.

Resource Guide

A curated list of articles and videos for parents about fostering skills like kindness, empathy, resilience, perseverance, and focus in children.

Parent SEL Resources

A curated list of resources that focus on the role of parents and parenting in social and emotional learning (SEL).

Common Sense

Help parents and caregivers keep kids focused, interested, and balanced while learning from home.

Family Guide to Supporting Mental Health

This guide is for parents and other adult caregivers to get ideas about how to support the well-being of the children and teens in their lives.
We are Here to Help

Community Resources

As part of our commitment to supporting the well-being of our students and their families, we want to share information about community resources available in Monterey County that may be helpful to you. If you or your family members are seeking mental health support, several local organizations offer counseling, therapy, and other mental health services. If you have any questions or need further assistance connecting with these resources, please feel free to reach out to the counseling office.

24-Hour Multilingual Suicide Crisis Line

Serving Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties for over 50 years.
Call: 1-877-663-5433 (ONE LIFE)

24-Hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 1-800-273-8255

24-Hour LGBTQ Suicide Prevention TrevorLifeline

Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk.
Call: 1-866-488-7386

OHANA

Bertie Bialek Elliott wanted to do something transformational in the place she calls home. And she has — donating $105.8 million to Montage Health Foundation, the largest gift ever in Monterey County and one of the most significant philanthropic commitments in healthcare nationwide.
MontageHealthOhana.org

Harmony at Home

The mission of Harmony at Home, as stated on their website, is “to end the cycles of violence and abuse by empowering children and young adults with knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead healthy and productive lives.” Harmony at Home offers programs such as: Bullying Prevention, “Sticks and Stones”, Children 1st, Teen Programs, Teen Success INC, and community counseling to parents, couples, teens, and adults.
Harmony-at-Home.org

Kinship Center

Kinship Center offers specialty mental health and counseling services to children and families touched by adoption, foster care, relative caregiving, or legal guardianship.
SenecaFOA.org

Community Human Services

Community Human Services (CHS) provides person-centered substance abuse and mental health counseling and recovery services to middle and low income individuals and families in Monterey County, California.
CHServices.org

Hartnell Professional Recovery Center

The Recovery Center’s comprehensive program for adults can help restore health, improve family relationships, quality of life, and self-respect, and increase dignity.
CHOMP.org

Behavioral Health Adult and Children’s Services

The Adult System of Care provides a wide range of programs that primarily serve adults with serious mental illness and functional impairments that interfere with their ability to live in the community without these supportive services.
Monterey.ca.us

Marina – Family Support Group

Provide support to families who have a family member diagnosed with a chronic mental illness. Have an opportunity to share experiences.
299 Twelfth St., Marina CA, 93933 Tel. (831) 647-7652
1441 Constitution Blvd, Bldg 400, Suite 202, Salinas, CA 93906 Tel. (831) 796-1700
Monterey.ca.us

Salinas – Family Support Group

Tips on how to spot, report and prevent Cyberbullying.
FIOS.Verizon.com

Shine a Light Counseling Center

The primary purpose of Shine a Light is to be able to provide therapy to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it.
ShineALight.info

Child Mind Institute

Find information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior, or learning challenges.
ChildMind.org

Wellspring Psychological Services

To help each person move freely toward the unlimited possibilities of growth.
WellspringBranches.com

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24/7 access to resources and support specifically aimed at teen and young adult relationships.
TheHotLine.org

Rape Crisis Monterey County Center Hotline

The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC) is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to provide ongoing advocacy, support, and healing for all victims and survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse; and to prevent sexual violence in our community through education.
MtryRapeCrisis.org

The Equine Healing Collaborative

A not-for-profit organization that offers paths for recovery, self-discovery, and personal growth through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
EquineHealing.org

Building Bridges Counseling Center

Provides individual, couples, and family counseling ranging from children to seniors.
BuildingBridgesCounseling.net

YWCA Safe House

Confidential location in Monterey County. Women and children fleeing domestic violence.
(831) 757-1001

Community Homeless Solutions

Monterey County Winter Warming Shelter for homeless men, women, and children. Check-in at 4:00 p.m., shelter will close at 8:00 a.m. daily.
CommunityHomelessSolutions.org

Victory Mission

Victory Mission, Inc. has been reaching out to the homeless of Salinas, and much of Monterey County, since 1959. Intake for evening dinner is 6:15 pm (all are welcome). Overnight lodging (men only) intake is 7:15 pm.
VictoryMissionSalinas.com

Monterey County Behavioral Health Services

Provides mental health and substance use services for children, adults, and families.
Contact: (888) 258-6029
CountyOfMonterey.gov

Natividad Medical Center Behavioral Health

Offers mental health services, including crisis support and therapy.
Contact: (831) 755-4111
Natividad.com

Food Bank for Monterey County

Provides free groceries and prepared meals. Visit their website to find the closest food distribution location.
Contact: (831) 758-1523
FoodBankForMontereyCounty.org

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey

Offers food assistance, rental support, and emergency financial aid.
Contact: (831) 393-3110
CatholicCharitiesDom.org

Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps

Provides food and financial support to families in need.
Contact: (831) 899-4988
Facebook.com/TSAmonterey

Monterey County Housing Authority

Provides resources for affordable housing options and rental assistance.
Contact: (831) 775-5000
HAMonterey.org

MidPen Housing

Provides affordable housing options across the Monterey area.
MidPen-Housing.org

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