Prevention & Wellness
Healthy, Happy Comets
At Mason City Schools, we believe in educating the whole child - helping students believe in who they are and who they can become by providing supports to foster their educational and social-emotional learning. We believe in building meaningful relationships with every student and helping them take care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Our prevention and wellness department is a multidisciplinary team ready to support the needs of all students. Our team works to promote student, staff, and community wellness through resource and program development as well as continuing to build community wellness partnerships. Supports and services provided by our counselors, mental wellness designers, and clinical team are available to all Mason City Schools students.
Our partnerships with Mindpeace, 1N5, Joshua's Place, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital support these goals by providing access to therapeutic supports and services for students and families.
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis call, text, or chat 988
Help for Families
- If your child is at immediate risk for harm to self or others call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
- If your child is not at immediate risk, however you are unsure how to proceed.
- Looking for non-emergency resources?
- Looking for Student Wellness Opportunities and Support?
- When are school counselors available to my child?
- If my child needs Clinical Mental Health Support during the school year, who should I contact?
- How can I help my child remain calm while home?
- What community resources are available for families?
- Where can I regularly get food?
- Where do I go to get my child assessed or evaluated?
- Who can I find to tutor my child?
If your child is at immediate risk for harm to self or others call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
Children's Hospital Liberty Campus (closest emergency room specializing in those 18 and younger)
7777 Yankee Road, Liberty Township, OH 45044, P: 513-803-9307
If you have an emergency call 911, otherwise use the resources below:
Crisis Text Line (Warren County) Text “4Hope” to 741 741 www.crisistextline.org
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No cost (standard rates apply) 24/7 crisis counselors provided anywhere in the U.S.
Warren County Mobile Response & Stabilization Services Crisis Hotline (877)695-6333
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Trauma Informed mobile response for youth (0-21)
Warren County Crisis Hotline (877) 695-6333 www.mhrsonline.org
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A trained professional is available 24/7 365 days to answer your call and talk with you
If your child is not at immediate risk, however you are unsure how to proceed.
- Children's Hospital Psychiatric Intake Response Center at 513-636-4124
- Warren County Crisis Hotline at 1-877-695-6333
Looking for non-emergency resources?
- Your child's School Counselor
- Cincinnati Children's Psychiatric Intake Response Center 513-636-4124
- Lindner Center of Hope 513-536-4673
- Talbert House 513-932-4337
- Beech Acres Parenting Center 513-231-6630
Looking for Student Wellness Opportunities and Support?
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Resources for child and teen anxiety:
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1N5 - Resources by age and need (anxiety, depression, etc.)
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National Association of School Psychologists - Information for caregivers
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Resources for caregivers of children with anxiety (websites and book lists for caregivers and children)
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Strategies and activities for caregivers to engage in with children
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Resources for child and teen depression:
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1N5 - Resources by age and need (anxiety, depression, etc.)
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
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Visit these activities and resources curated by our Prevention and Wellness team.
When are school counselors available to my child?
School Counselors are available to students in need during regular school hours on regularly scheduled school days. If you need more immediate assistance, you can also reach out to Learner Well-Being & Supports Supervisor TJ Glassmeyer at 513.398.0474
If my child needs Clinical Mental Health Support during the school year, who should I contact?
How can I help my child remain calm while home?
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Keep a consistent schedule by designating work and break times throughout the day. Maintaining modified schedules over breaks can also help children and teens.
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Listen to relaxing music
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Access MCS Mindful Music at: citysilence.org/learn
Password: mindfulmason
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Check out the Virtual MindPeace Rooms designed to provide a space to listen to relaxing music, go on a virtual walk, and practice intentional movement while at home.
What community resources are available for families?
Mason Food Pantry
Provides food, healthcare products, household items, and toiletries
406 4th Avenue, Mason, OH
513.229.3191
Hours: Mon 6:30-7:30 PM, Wed 9:30-11:00 AM, Sat 9:30-11:00 AM
Schuh Center at St. Susanna Provides food, clothing, and school supplies
616 Reading Road, Mason, OH
513.398.3821
Hours: Tues 9:00-10:15 AM, Wed 9:00-10:15 AM, Fri 9:00-10:15 AM
St. Vincent De Paul
Provides support with a variety of financial assistance as well as clothing and household items
616 Reading Road, Mason, OH
513.398.3821 ext. 3500
FAITH Ministries
Provides rent assistance and grocery gift cards
513.445.9810: Call and leave a message for a request
Warren County Division of Human Services
Provides financial assistance, medical, food, and child care assistance
416 S. East Street, Lebanon, OH
513.261.1420
Warren County Health District Provides affordable clinics, vaccinations, and health information
416 S. East Street, Lebanon, OH
513-695-1228
Kinship Care
Resources for families providing care for relatives
Beech Acres
Warren County Community Services
Information and referral program that also assists with energy needs
513.695.2100
Where can I regularly get food?
Where do I go to get my child assessed or evaluated?
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC)
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PIRC - 513.636.4124
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Services include:
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Admission and evaluation center for children and adolescents in acute crisis at both Cincinnati Children's Burnet and Liberty Campus Emergency Department
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Expert assessment and recommendation to help you determine the next steps in treatment for your child
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Who can I find to tutor my child?
Learn more about MCS Wellness Supports & Partners
- School Counselors
- Prevention & Wellness Designers
- School-Based Therapy
- School Psychologists
- Hope Squads
- Therapy Dogs
- SafeSchools Tipline
- Partners
- Student Wellness and Success Funding Plan 2023-2024
School Counselors
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Mason Early Childhood Center- 513-398-3741
Sarah Bowser bowsers@masonohioschools.com
Katie Brown brownk@masonohioschools.com
Mason Intermediate School- 513-459-2850
Joy Hicks hicksj@masonohioschools.com
Nikki Montgomery montgomeryn@masonohioschools.com
Michelle Krugh krughm@masonohioschools.com
MMS School Counseling Department - 513-398-6012
Cheryl Hayes hayesc@masonohioschools.com
Shannon Norman normans@masonohioschools.com
Lindsey Sweat sweatl@masonohioschools.com
MHS School Counseling Department - 513-398-7896
Tony Affatato affatatot@masonohioschools.com
Phyllis Bell bellp@masonohioschools.com
Michelle Brinkman brinkmanm@masonohioschools.com
Linda Dumstorff dumstorffl@masonohioschools.com
Katie Hicks hickska@masonohioschools.com
Seth Johnston johnstons@masonohioschools.com
Megan Pay paym@masonohioschools.com
Prevention & Wellness Designers
Your Prevention & Wellness Designers evaluate building level needs, create and align programming with district rocks, analyze program effectiveness, build capacity of staff, train staff in a variety of mental health topics, and are a front line of support for students in crisis. They work in collaboration with building counselors, administrators, intervention specialists, and contracted clinicians to build a tiered system of intervention to increase access to care. In addition, the Mental Wellness Coordinators assist building teams in developing plans for transitioning students back from clinical care to help ensure a successful reintegration within the school environment.
TJ Glassmeyer |
Learner Well-Being & Supports Supervisor |
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glassmeyert@masonohioschools.com |
Laura Martin |
Prevention & Wellness Coordinator |
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Alexis Reyna | Behavior Prevention & Wellness Designer | Mason Early Childhood Center | reynaa@masonohioschools.com |
Lauren Wise |
Prevention & Wellness Designer |
Mason Elementary & Mason Intermediate |
wisel@masonohioschools.com |
Dawn McCorkle |
Prevention & Wellness Designer |
Mason Middle School |
mccorkled@masonohioschools.com |
Kalia Marcelle |
Prevention & Wellness Designer |
Mason High School | marcellek@masonohioschools.com |
Chloe Socha | 7-12 Resource Coordinator (7-12) | Mason Middle & Mason High School | sochac@masonohioschools.com |
Mary Eck | PK-6 Resource Coordinator | eckm@masonohioschools.com |
Learner Well-Being & Supports Supervisor
TJ Glassmeyer has served as the Clermont Northeastern High School (Batavia, OH) Principal for the last eight years. He brings a strong background in multi-tiered support systems, including developing consistent systems that promote collaborative planning and problem-solving, and using data-informed decision-making. As the Learner and Well-Being Supports Supervisor, Mr. Glassmeyer will lead the district’s prevention and wellness efforts, including crisis care, wellness community partnerships, behavior supports, Section 504 supports, student discipline, attendance, homelessness, and staff wellness.
"I am excited to collaborate with the staff, families, and the community to ensure all learners have the supports they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. I am thrilled to be part of a district that puts student well-being at the forefront and recognizes its importance for student success,” says Glassmeyer.
The team currently consists of 3 mental wellness coordinators, 21 school counselors, 1 resource coordinator, 10 clinical mental health therapists, and 1 psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Prevention & Wellness Coordinator (PK-12)
Laura Martin, M.Ed.- Laura has a Bachelors of Science, K-12 certification serving students with moderate-intensive special education needs and a Masters of Education specializing in birth through year 8 early child intervention. Laura has worked for the Mason City School district for 17 years. She began as a preschool intervention specialist. Laura then worked on a multidisciplinary team to design and implement a state of the art program for students with severe to profound Autism that became the SCSF model across the district. During that time, Laura regularly worked with students with significant behavior and mental health concerns who required a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Laura served as a support to families in navigating both in school and out of school support services. Laura has been a support to students, staff, and families in her knowledge and understanding of behavioral de-escalation and crisis intervention. She is a member of the behavior response team and the district crisis team to support students throughout the district who have additional behavioral and mental health needs. Laura’s experience includes program design for students with behavior dysregulation, verbal and non-verbal behavioral de-escalation, community resource support and instruction in social-emotional development.
Mason Elementary and Mason Intermediate Prevention & Wellness Designer
Lauren Wise is a passionate advocate for student well-being and success, specializing in trauma-informed care and school mental health. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Communications from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Social Work from Northern Kentucky University, focusing on trauma-informed practices. She is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio and is currently completing a Master of Professional School Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. Lauren has experience and a passion working with children, families, and school communities to create environments that support emotional well-being and academic success. With a strong foundation in trauma-informed practices, she is committed to fostering resilience in students and equipping educators with the tools needed to address social-emotional challenges in the classroom. She believes that prevention and early intervention are key to helping students develop the skills necessary to navigate school and life successfully. As a collaborative professional, Lauren excels at working with multidisciplinary teams, educators, and families to develop strategies that promote a positive and inclusive school climate. She is passionate about creating a prosperous learning environment where all children feel safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Mason Middle School Prevention & Wellness Designer
Dawn McCorkle has spent her career working with students and families across the life span in a variety of mental health capacities. She started her work in mental health as an Adult Mental Health Case Manager with Valley Mental Health Services. Her role was to provide Mental Health Case Management for clients and to coordinate medical care, wrap around supports, and community resources. Dawn then spent time working for Butler County Children Services as a caseworker making referrals for community resources to support families and children in their homes and responding to crisis situations when needed. Dawn was then promoted to an adoption specialist and worked to complete foster care and adoption home studies for adults that wanted to provide foster and adoptive homes. After leaving children’s services, Dawn moved into a role with Butler County Education Services Center working with the Success Program. As part of the success program, Dawn worked to coordinate services for parents and children within the school district and the community to eliminate barriers to poverty and increase academic engagement. Dawn was tapped to come to Mason in August of 2020 to provide support to our students and families across the district. She works in collaboration with our mental wellness and building teams to ensure appropriate wrap around services and referrals are in place to increase academic and community engagement.
School-Based Therapy
All types of sessions are billed to the student's medical insurance. CCHMC accepts a wide range of insurance carriers, and families are encouraged to check with their providers about the specifics of their coverage. Assistance may be available for families experiencing financial difficulty.
Parents, teachers, and students can contact school counselors to make student referrals for services. The decision to participate in therapeutic services is ultimately that of the student's family. To discuss services available or with questions regarding services, contact your child's grade level counselor or prevention and wellness designer for assistance.
Emily Meyer |
School Based Clinical Supervisor |
Julia Leary |
Nurse Practitioner K-12 |
Rachael Jones |
School Based Therapist - Mason Early Childhood Center |
Suzanne Takas |
School Based Therapist - |
Ashley Allen |
School Based Therapist - Mason Elementary/Mason Intermediate |
Alechia Bryant |
School Based Therapist - Mason Elementary/Mason Intermediate |
Erika Chiodi |
School Based Therapist - Mason Elementary/Mason Intermediate |
Alysha Haury |
School Based Therapist - Mason Elementary/Mason Intermediate |
Rachael Stothfang | School Based Therapist - Mason High School |
Jenny McNiese |
School Based Therapist - Middle School |
Rebecca Flynn | School Based Therapist - Mason High School |
Emily Maiorana | School Based Therapist - Mason High School |
Amanda Stratton | School Based Therapist - Mason High School |
School Psychologists
Mason Early Childhood Center
Grades: Pre-K, K, 1 and 2
Julie Cooper
513.398.3741 Ext: 82432
Christen Stidd
513.398.3741 Ext: 81124
Joe Schuh
513.398.3741 Ext: 81125
513.398.3741 Ext: 81126
Yu Zhong
513.398.5821 Ext: 50009
Mason Middle School
Grades 7-8
Lindsey Hoffman
513.398.9035 Ext: 43050
Brenna Barto
513.398.5821 Ext: 81125
Mason High School
Grades: 9-12
Michaela Kramer
513.398.5025 Ext: 30136
Jeff Schlaeger
513.398.5025 Ext: 30111
Hope Squads
Hope Squad is a mental health awareness and peer-to-peer suicide prevention program at Mason High School and Mason Middle School. Squad members have been anonymously nominated by their peers. Hope Squad's mission is to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and to promote this message to the community as well as within the schools.
Therapy Dogs
MECC
Shiner and Gibson support our students in grades preschool through 2nd grade at MECC. They are cuddly and love being with kids! They love stuffed animals, swimming, and dog treats! Shiner and Gibson visit with many students and classrooms throughout the day and love greeting students as they arrive at school!
Shiner and Gibson were donated by the Shine Like Sable Foundation.
ME
Titan supports students in grades 3 and 4. On especially fun days he walks through the halls to MI to support 5th and 6th graders as well! Titan loves when students ask to say hi and give him cuddles. He enjoys playing with his bones and being outside whenever he can.
Titan was funded through a grant from the Mason Schools Foundation in honor of MHS Class of 2020’s Jake Williams.
MI
Lucy supports students in grades 5 and 6! She even gets to walk over to ME to visit with 3rd and 4th graders sometimes! Lucy enjoys visiting students in class, being read to, and modeling how to stay calm, cool, and collected.
Lucy was funded in collaboration with Circle Tail.
MMS
Coleby supports students in the 7th and 8th grade at Mason Middle School. He is a super sweet and happy dog. Coleby loves to play fetch and is very polite. He also enjoys making new friends with the students and the adults in the building. Coleby assists in the counseling office and will visit classrooms too. When he is off-duty he enjoys fun adventures with his host family.
Coleby was donated by the LoveLikeJJ Foundation.
MHS
Mr. Hibbs supports our students in grades 9-12 at Mason High School. When he is not out helping students, Hibbs spends his time in the counseling department. Hibbs loves when students pet him, wearing bowties, and making everyone that he meets smile. He also helps with Hope Squad. When he is off duty, he loves swimming, playing with his stuffed animals, and going for walks at the Cincinnati Nature Center.
Hibbs was funded in collaboration with Circle Tail and Mason High School Hope Squad.
SafeSchools Tipline
See Something, Say Something
An important way we practice our Comet Culture belief of “Owning the Moment” is by saying something whenever anyone has a safety concern. Safety concerns can be about someone being bullied, a classmate who has posted something about wanting to harm themselves, an act of racism or bias, or another threat to school safety. The SafeSchools Alert is an anonymous, toll-free tip line that students, parents and staff can access 24/7— any time they need to tip off school administration about a potential crisis. It’s a confidential, anonymous way to keep our schools welcoming and safe. We encourage anyone to submit safety concerns (even anonymously) to our administration in four different ways:
1. Phone: 513-972-4910
2. Text: 513-972-4910
3. Email: 1059@alert1.us
4. Web: http://1059.alert1.us
Partners
Student Wellness and Success Funding Plan 2023-2024
At Mason City Schools, we believe in educating the whole child—helping students believe in who they are and who they can become. Providing supports to foster students’ growth is an essential part of this goal. We believe in building meaningful relationships with each and every student and helping them take care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Our Student Wellness and Success Funding Plan plan focuses on ensuring that students are prepared for the academic environment by establishing systems to ensure their mental health and social skill needs are addressed. The plan incorporates multiple agencies and diverse staffing roles in order to create a comprehensive support system for students. This multi-disciplinary team utilizes mental health professionals as well as educational staff to focus on a holistic approach to wellness that supports students in and out of the classroom.
Community Partnerships include:
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC)
- MindPeace
- Talbert House
- Warren County Educational Service Center (WCESC)
- Butler County Educational Service Center (BCESC)
- Joshua’s Place
- 1N5
- Hope Squad
More information about partnerships can be found at https://www.masonohioschools.com/departments/wellness
The district, in collaboration with our community partners, has identified the following strategies to support student wellness:
- Mental health staff from CCHMC located in all school buildings to provide therapeutic mental health services to students
- Dedicated Prevention and Wellness Staff in all buildings including:
- 2 Resource Coordinators supplied by WCESC
- 1 Mental Health Therapist supplied by WCESC
- 1 Board Certified Behavior Analyst supplied by BCESC
- 2 district-funded Prevention and Wellness Designers
- 1 district-funded Prevention and Wellness Coordinator
- 1 district-funded Learner Well-Being & Supports Supervisor
- More information about the Prevention and Wellness Staff can be found at https://www.masonohioschools.com/departments/wellness
- Hope Squads at the Middle and High Schools
- Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that empowers students to advocate for the well-being of their classmates
- School Counselors in all school buildings who support student wellness and advocate for students
- MECC - 4 school counselors
- ME - 3.5 school counselors
- MI - 3.5 school counselors
- MMS - 4 school counselors
- MHS - 9 school counselors
- In the 2023-24 school year, the district recognized that a cessation program was necessary to support students facing disciplinary consequences for vaping. To provide this service, a partnership with Talbert House was established.
- 6 therapy dogs assigned to school buildings
- Students in grades 7-12 received the Signs of Suicide Training in partnership with 1N5
- Joshua’s Place works with the Prevention and Wellness Staff to support students experiencing homelessness by providing housing assistance, food, and clothing.
- To support students’ physical health, the district employs 2 Registered Nurses in each school building to support health rooms.
For the 2023-24 School Year, the State of Ohio provided the district with $974,967.10 in Student Wellness and Success Funds and $33,452.90 in Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid. The funds were used to pay for the salaries and benefits of school counselors. The strategies listed above coupled with the Student Wellness and Success Funds are estimated to impact 10,500 students across all of the district’s buildings.