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.
mySAEBRS Screener

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.

Crisis & Suicide Prevention

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

A national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential emotional support 24/7.
Call: 1-800-273-8255

24-Hour LGBTQ Suicide Prevention TrevorLifeline

Trained counselors available 24/7 for young people in crisis or in need of a safe, judgment-free place to talk.
Call: 1-866-488-7386

Never a Bother

A resource to prevent suicide and reduce self-harm among teens and young adults.
NeverABother.org

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24/7 access to resources and support for teen and young adult relationships.
TheHotLine.org

Rape Crisis Monterey County Center Hotline

Advocacy, support, and healing for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse.
MtryRapeCrisis.org

YWCA Safe House

Confidential shelter in Monterey County for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Call: (831) 757-1001

Eating Disorders

A Curated Guide for Eating Disorder Support

A guide from AIM Youth Mental Health and The Alliance for Eating Disorders with tools, tips, and strategies for managing emotions and tough situations.
Aimymh.org

Food & Housing Assistance

Food Bank for Monterey County

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

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey

Food assistance, rental support, and emergency financial aid.
Call: (831) 393-3110
CatholicCharitiesDom.org

Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps

Food and financial support to families in need.
Call: (831) 899-4988
Facebook.com/TSAmonterey

Monterey County Housing Authority

Resources for affordable housing options and rental assistance.
Call: (831) 775-5000
HAMonterey.org

MidPen Housing

Affordable housing options across the Monterey area.
MidPen-Housing.org

Homeless Services

Community Homeless Solutions

Monterey County Winter Warming Shelter for homeless men, women, and children. Check-in at 4:00 pm; closes at 8:00 am daily.
CommunityHomelessSolutions.org

Victory Mission

Serving the homeless of Salinas and Monterey County since 1959. Dinner intake at 6:15 pm (all welcome). Overnight lodging (men only) intake at 7:15 pm.
VictoryMissionSalinas.com

Mental Health & Counseling

Behavioral Health Adult and Children’s Services

Wide-ranging programs for adults with serious mental illness and functional impairments.
countyofmonterey.gov

Building Bridges Counseling Center

Individual, couples, and family counseling from children to seniors.
BuildingBridgesCounseling.net

Community Human Services

Person-centered substance abuse and mental health counseling for middle and low income individuals and families in Monterey County.
CHServices.org

The Equine Healing Collaborative

Paths for recovery, self-discovery, and personal growth through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
EquineHealing.org

Hartnell Professional Recovery Center

Comprehensive program for adults to restore health, improve family relationships, and increase dignity.
CHOMP.org

Monterey County Behavioral Health Services

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

Natividad Medical Center Behavioral Health

Mental health services including crisis support and therapy.
Call: (831) 755-4111
Natividad.com

Shine a Light Counseling Center

Providing therapy to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it.
ShineALight.info

Soluna

A free, confidential space to destress, bounce back, and reset — for California teens and young adults.
SolunaApp.com

Wellspring Psychological Services

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

Neurodiversity Resources

Neurodiversity Hub

Changing the narrative about autism and neurodiversity through awareness, education and engagement.
neurodiversityhub.org

Teen Life

Resources for neurodivergent students.
teenlife.com

Youth & Family

Child Mind Institute

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

Harmony at Home

Ending cycles of violence and abuse by empowering children and young adults. Programs include bullying prevention, teen success, and community counseling.
Harmony-at-Home.org

Kinship Center

Specialty mental health and counseling for children and families touched by adoption, foster care, relative caregiving, or legal guardianship.
SenecaFOA.org

Marina – Family Support Group

Support for families with a member diagnosed with a chronic mental illness.
countyofmonterey.gov
Marina: (831) 647-7652
Salinas: (831) 796-1700

OHANA — Montage Health

Transformational philanthropic healthcare initiative serving the Monterey community.
montagehealth.org/ohana

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