Mental Health Services

At CCHS we have trained district student services team members available to assist and provide social emotional, behavioral, and  mental health services. If your family and/or child is in need of assistance please contact his/her grade level school counselor and a referral will be made to appropriate student services team member. 

Mental Health Awareness Website

Aside from our resources here, please take time to explore the mental health awareness and resources that Pasco County Schools has compiled for us to use. Please find that link HERE

Cypress Creek Utilizes a Trauma-Informed Approach

Trauma informed care is a framework that acknowledges the prevalence and impact of trauma, and the complex paths to healing and recovery.  These principles and practices seek safety first and commit themselves to do no harm.  When an organization engages in a trauma informed approach, it realizes the widespread impact of trauma; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma; responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.  A trauma informed approach can be implemented in any type of organization

Suicide Prevention Resources

Information for Parents/Educator (English)

Information for Parents/Educator (Spanish)

Information for Students

Click here to read a letter Regarding New Florida Legislation

Secondary State Mandates

School Counselors

Kristen Leonard

Kristen Leonard

Class of 2025 School Counselor

Cassie Caminero

Cassie Caminero

Class of 2026 School Counselor

Meredith Ward

Meredith Ward

Class of 2027 School Counselor

Meredith Hagie-McHugh

Meredith Hagie-McHugh

Class of 2028 School Counselor

Other Mental Health Professionals

Mr. Sarnecki

Mr. Sarnecki

Behavior Specialist

Email

As a Behavior Specialist, I am assigned to work with students found eligible to receive Exceptional Student Education (ESE) supports.  Specifically, I assist student with disabilities and handicaps that may be in need of accommodations to help with their successful acclamation within their school environment.  In addition, I help to facilitate positive behavioral changes for ESE students by helping students overcome obstacles that may be faced: intellectually, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.  I place heavy emphasis on student empowerment so the student can maximize their adaptation potential when faced with obstacles that they may not be able to overcome without support services.

Mrs. Heck

Mrs. Heck

School Nurse

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I graduated from USF School of Nursing in 1999 and have been a school nurse for the last decade. Prior to then, I have worked in the ICU, OB/GYN, and CVICU. While my husband and I were stationed in Germany for the Air Force, I was honored to have worked as a Case Manager for soldiers who were injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ms. Franco

Ms. Franco

Social Worker

I have been a School Social Worker for 4 years now and I absolutely love working in the world of education. I was born and raised in Long Island, New York. I got my Bachelor’s Degree from Adelphi University and my Masters from CUNY Hunter. I married my high school sweetheart in 2018 and together we have one beautiful daughter and a cat. We fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a home and moved to Florida in early 2022.

Andrea Latimer-Chaney

Andrea Latimer-Chaney

School Psychologist

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I am excited to begin my 14th year in education; 8 of those years were in Pasco County Schools. My background includes education and clinical experiences that have focused on mental health, behavior, and learning.  I apply my training and experiences to help children succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally.  I collaborate with both school staff and families/community providers in developing plans that offer educational supports and/or services necessary for students to be successful in school.  I participate on a variety of teams within the district, schools, in regards; to social-emotional awareness, MTSS and the exceptional student education programs.  In addition, I conduct psychological/achievement assessments, promote positive behavior and well-being, support diverse learners, provide crisis prevention and intervention and connect families to community service providers when necessary. 

 

 I really enjoy working with the students, and I am dedicated to improving outcomes for all students.  Most importantly, it is always my goal to partner with staff and families to create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school and the community.