The following information provides information on  counseling support services available to military families located in RISD and the community.

• LHHS Counseling Services
  • Shameka Brackens, MS,  LPC
    Shameka.Brackens@risd.org
    (469) 593-1428
     
• Counseling Support Groups
  • Because children experience a variety of concerns at different ages Richardson Independent School District offers school counseling services to all children in grades Kindergarten through 12. The purpose of school counseling is to help children make maximum use of their educational experience. Schools offer different kinds of groups to help children with the following topics: self-esteem, decision-making skills, coping and life skills, peer pressure resistance strategies, and social relationships. 
• Clubs
  • Junior ROTC is well established in RISD high schools with many military children. The focus is on providing military children and their families an opportunity to socialize with other students/families with similar concerns.
• Counselor Training
  • The Richardson ISD Guidance Department offers additional training opportunities for counselors about the specific needs that military children face. This counselor training also teaches specific strategies/techniques that can be used when working with military children.

• Curriculum
  • The RISD Guidance and Counseling Department developed a book bag filled with children’s books and curriculum specifically designed to target handling change (i.e., deployment, moves, loss, and coping). Counselors use this book bag as a resource to develop guidance lessons, small group sessions, and individual sessions.
• Parenting Sessions
  • Richardson provides many parent education opportunities throughout the district.
• Events
  • Many Richardson schools sponsor military events such as Wreaths Across America, Veterans Day Assemblies, Dallas Scottish Rites, Greater Dallas Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony at Fair Park, and the Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow 
• Service Projects
  • Richardson service projects supporting military causes include Wreaths Across America, and Wounded Warriors.

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program provides free, confidential, non-medical counseling to service members, their families, and survivors on or near installations. Trained to work with the military community, military and family life counselors deliver valuable counseling services, briefings, and presentations to the military community. Counselors help service members and their families navigate issues such as improving relationships at home and work, stress management, adjustment difficulties, parenting, and grief or loss. Adult, child, and youth behavioral MFLCs are assigned to units, schools, child development centers, and other locations worldwide.