School Chaplains To Promote Spiritual Care & Well-Being In Education Announced
The National School Chaplain Association (NSCA) has been the most longstanding advocate for school chaplains and spiritual care and guidance in America and the leading governing body responsible for professional chaplain training and certifications. Now, they are proud to also be at the forefront of mental health care and well-being promotion in schools, and have equipped their new generation of chaplains to function similarly to counsellors who can support children and adolescents through these complex times.
More information is available at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/
Although public schools in the United States have tended to be become less denominational, reflecting the fact that schools in the US today also house a very diverse student body, the NSCA affirms that their chaplains–although coming from and being well-versed in the Christian faith–are here to support every student.
As the NSCA’s new mission statement states, “We are a Christian chaplain ministry that provides spiritual care, counseling, and practical community support to Pre-K through 12th-grade students, teachers, and their families regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or socioeconomic status.”
More information on the inclusivity that underscores the NSCA’s mission in schools can be accessed at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/chaplains/
All school chaplains accredited by the NSCA have now also been trained to offer both pastoral care and support for the many mental health issues facing today’s student body. As such, their school chaplains have proven results in improving school attendance and reducing absenteeism, improving school safety by identifying and supporting students that are at risk for violent behavior, and fostering a positive student culture that reduces bullying and mental illness; all of which are some of the starkest issues facing schools.
Chaplains trained by the NSCA are also equipped with the child and adolescent psychology tools they need to work effectively in elementary, middle, and high schools. As the association explains, 87% of their chaplains are also experienced teachers.
The NSCA is currently serving over 22,000 schools both across the United States and beyond, but they are constantly seeking to better school communities worldwide and they look forward to forging new partnerships.
A spokesperson for the chaplaincy advocacy association said, “Discover the mental health support, added safety, and teacher retention benefits of placing a chaplain in your school district.”
More details can be found at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/schools/
National School Chaplain Association
PO Box 720746
United States
COMTEX_436364402/2764/2023-07-03T16:56:41