Early Intervention Counseling

Early Intervention Counseling is for students in Menard County, ages 12-18, who appear to be at risk for substance abuse. Such individuals may include:

• children of using parents
• children with friends or other family members who use
• students who have feelings of isolation (i.e., children who exclude themselves from school and social activities)
• youth who demonstrate significant changes in attitude, behavior, or personality
• students who have been caught with substances or paraphernalia
• any youth believed to be using substances

Once a referral has been made, the counselor will come to the school and complete an assessment. Each student qualified for Early Intervention Services will receive 8 individual sessions and 2 family sessions. The individual sessions will be conducted once a week or once every two weeks depending on the severity of the student’s risk.

These sessions involve helping the student improve grades and attendance, deal with peer problems, improve behavior, improve family communication and any other issues or concerns the student would like to discuss with the counselor.

Making a Referral

Anyone involved with a student who appears to be at risk for substance abuse can make a referral by completing a referral form and submitting it on-line or faxing it to Melanie Ishmael at (217) 698-9425. Forms can also be submitted by mail to the following address:

Triangle Center
Attention: Melanie Ishmael
948 Clocktower Dr.
Springfield, IL 62704

Melanie Ishmael can be reached via email at melanieishmael@aol.com or by cell at (217) 972-6274.