The National School Chaplain Association has announced its NSCA-certified school chaplain partnership program.
With the public education system facing major staff shortages and teacher resignations at an all-time high, the organization’s recently announced chaplain program aims to improve teacher retention and create a more supportive school culture. Schools that have hired an NSCA-certified chaplain have reported up to a 37% increase in graduation rates, higher teacher retention, and a decrease in the need for disciplinary action due to bullying, violence, and substance abuse.
Interested parties can learn more at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/schools/
The organization’s program offers schools the opportunity to hire a chaplain certified to provide counseling, spiritual care, and practical community support to Pre-K through 12th-grade students and teachers. As part of their comprehensive training, NSCA chaplains learn how to provide nonjudgemental emotional support without interfering in the important work of teachers and staff.
NSCA uses its “5-Point Proved Process” for incorporating a new chaplain into a school. This involves an initial meeting where staff and faculty can learn about the benefits available to them through the chaplain.
More details can be found at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/chaplains/
Participating schools get 24/7 access to their NSCA chaplain as needed and each chaplain is supervised by a Senior Chaplain Board to ensure quality service. NSCA chaplains will also host voluntary one-on-one, confidential counseling sessions for interested staff and faculty members.
About National School Chaplain Association
The NSCA’s mission is “to give teachers and students the tools they need to make quality life decisions to succeed in every area of life.” The organization has certified over 27,000 school chaplains in 23 countries, with more than 4,000 certifications achieved in just the last year. NSCA is dedicated to improving spiritual, emotional, and mental health in schools and communities around the world with the hope of decreasing violence, psychological distress, and suicide.
“With teen suicide at an all-time high, chaplaincy is a non-threatening solution,” said one spokesperson for the organization. “Chaplains exist at the complex intersection of spirituality and mental health, where the line between a spiritual crisis and a mental health crisis is not always clear even to the person experiencing it. They are a nonjudgmental confidant easy to talk to without fear of harassment, and guided by their training, help decide when to refer someone to a licensed therapist.”
Interested parties can learn more and contact the National School Chaplain Association by visiting https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/