DCS has a network of staff members and resources to support the social and emotional well-being of our students. For some, that support might include new tools or the right strategies to help manage challenges or stress. Others might benefit from talking to someone outside of their friend and family circles. Our school counselors are available to assist students who are having difficulty at school or home and work with students, teachers, administrators and parents to help children have a positive and successful school experience.
“Having a sense of connectedness to an adult in our school can be invaluable to a child moving through moments of stress and uncertainty,” elementary school social worker David Presson said.
Meet Our Team:
Along with a social worker at each school building, students are supported by a team that includes a school psychologist, licensed mental health counselor, school counselors and nurses. They work together to provide general counseling, crisis counseling and special education services.
Kristina Goebel
Jr./Sr. High School Counselor
kgoebel@duanesburg.org
(518) 895-5350, ext. 261
Joshua Moeckel
Jr./Sr. High School Counselor
jmoeckel@duanesburg.org
(518) 895-5350, ext 226
In addition to social and emotional supports, school counselors assist with character education, course selection, computer-assisted career and college counseling, college admissions and post-high school planning, advisement, job search information, financial aid and scholarship information.
Laurel Hallberg
DCS School Psychologist
lhallberg@duanesburg.org
(518) 895-8310, ext. 273
Rachel Barnett
DCS Mental Health Counselor
rbarnett@duanesburg.org
(518) 895-5350, ext. 235
Rachel Barnett is a licensed mental health counselor who works full-time at DCS. She provides individual and family counseling services at the district’s on-site behavioral health clinic. This service is offered in conjunction with Northern Rivers Behavioral Health Center. At a parent or guardian’s request, Barnett can provide care during regular school hours through a student’s health insurance. She works at DCS year-round to offer services during summer and holiday breaks.
Counseling services include the following: personal counseling for a wide range of issue facing children and teens, vocational counseling, group counseling, career counseling, college counseling and academic counseling. Peer tutoring is available for those students who are either in need of a tutor or who would like to be a peer tutor.
David Presson
Elementary School Social Worker
dpresson@duanesburg.org
(518) 895-8310, ext. 244
TBD – Jr./Sr. High School Social Worker
TBD – Elementary School Nurse
Stephanie Yauchler
Jr./Sr. High School Nurse
syauchler@duanesburg.org
Brittany Lawrence, LPN
District Nurse
blawrence@duanesburg.org
Family Emergency Support and Counseling Resources
24/7 Crisis and Mental Health Support
Children, families and adults experiencing emotional and/or behavioral crisis.
- Northern Rivers – 518-292-5499
- Suicide Prevention Hotline – 800-273-8255 or call 911
- NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline – 844-863-9314
Grief Support Services
No cost support is available for grieving children, aged 3-17, who may have experienced the death of a family member or friend due to natural causes, illness, suicide, homicide or accidents.
Community Hospice – 518-724-0200 or https://www.hospicegriefservices.com/
24/7 ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Reach a professional crisis counselor who—through interpreters—provides assistance in over 170 languages 24/7 in the U.S. and Canada. All calls are confidential. Services include crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources.
800-4-A-CHILD or 800-422-4453 or https://www.childhelp.org/hotline/
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Advocates are available 24/7/365 to talk or text confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
800−799−7233 or https://www.thehotline.org/