Lesson Plan
Navigating Support Together
Guide 5th-grade parents through local mental health services and school collaboration by exploring options, addressing questions, and practicing referral role-play.
This workshop builds strong home–school partnerships and community trust by empowering parents to navigate mental health resources and advocate for their children.
Audience
5th Grade Parents Group
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive slide overview, discussion, and role-play.
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the slide deck: Family First: Service Options
- Preview the journal prompts in My Family’s Questions
- Familiarize yourself with instructions for Role-Play a Referral
- Examine the participation rubric: Participation Guidelines
Step 1
Welcome and Introductions
10 minutes
- Greet participants and share session objectives
- Establish group norms using Participation Guidelines
- Quick icebreaker: Parents share what support they currently use
Step 2
Service Options Overview
15 minutes
- Present slide deck: Family First: Service Options
- Highlight local mental health services, referral processes, and school supports
- Invite questions after each section
Step 3
Guided Discussion
10 minutes
- Distribute My Family’s Questions
- In small groups, parents discuss prompts about their needs and concerns
- Facilitator circulates to clarify resource details
Step 4
Role-Play Activity
15 minutes
- Organize pairs and assign scenarios from Role-Play a Referral
- Parents practice initiating a referral conversation with a school staff member
- Provide feedback using Participation Guidelines
Step 5
Q&A and Next Steps
10 minutes
- Open floor for final questions and reflections
- Use Participation Guidelines to note engagement strengths
- Share contact list for local services and school liaison information
- Encourage setting a follow-up meeting for progress check-ins
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Family First: Service Options
60-minute workshop to explore local mental health services and strengthen home–school collaboration.
Welcome participants and introduce the workshop purpose. Outline the session flow and set a positive tone.
Objectives
• Understand available mental health service categories
• Learn the referral process step by step
• Explore ways to collaborate effectively with schools
Review the three learning objectives and explain why each is important for family engagement.
Service Categories
• School-Based Counseling
• Community Mental Health Clinics
• Telehealth and Virtual Therapy
• Peer and Family Support Groups
Define each service category and invite parents to share if they’ve used similar supports.
Local Mental Health Providers
• City Youth Counseling Center
• Downtown Community Clinic
• Happy Minds Telehealth Services
• Family Strength Support Group
Highlight key local providers. Distribute a printed resource sheet with contact details.
Referral Process Steps
- Identify your child’s needs
- Contact the school counselor or psychologist
- Complete and submit the referral form
- Attend the assessment meeting
- Connect with the assigned provider
Walk through each referral step and show a sample form. Encourage questions.
Collaborating with Schools
• Build relationships with teachers and counselors
• Share observations and concerns early
• Participate in meetings (IEP, 504, support team)
• Request regular progress updates
Discuss best practices for partnering with school staff and maintaining communication.
Case Example: The Smith Family
The Smiths noticed anxiety signs in their 5th grader. They referred through the school counselor and connected with a community clinic. Regular meetings improved the support plan.
Present a real-life scenario. Ask parents to identify which supports and steps were used.
Your Role at Home
• Maintain open dialogue with your child
• Encourage and normalize professional help
• Follow up on referrals and appointments
• Provide feedback to the school team
Emphasize the parent’s ongoing role and suggest practical communication tips.
Resource Summary
• Service categories and local provider list
• Referral steps checklist
• School collaboration tips
• Contact details for school liaison and community services
Summarize all key resources. Remind parents of handouts and digital links.
Q&A and Next Steps
• What questions do you have?
• Schedule a follow-up meeting for progress check-ins
• Contact info: School counselor, community clinic liaison, workshop facilitator
Open the floor for questions. Share next steps and contact information for follow-up.
Journal
My Family’s Questions
1. What are your main concerns regarding your child’s emotional or behavioral well-being at home or at school?
2. Reflect on any mental health or support services you have tried. What helped you most, and what challenges did you face?
3. How can you work together with teachers, counselors, or other school staff to address your child’s needs? List steps or ideas.
4. After reviewing Family First: Service Options, which service option seems most helpful for your child’s situation and why?
Activity
Role-Play a Referral
Overview
In this activity, parents will work in pairs to practice initiating a referral conversation with school staff. Through two realistic scenarios, participants will build confidence in discussing concerns, asking questions, and understanding next steps.
Instructions for Facilitator
- Divide participants into pairs.
- Assign each pair one scenario (see below).
- Provide 5 minutes for each role-play (parent and school staff).
- After both roles have been practiced, bring everyone back together for debrief.
Scenarios
Scenario 1: New Anxiety Concerns
• Context: Your 5th grader has started complaining of stomachaches and avoiding school. You’ve noticed tense mornings and difficulty sleeping.
• Parent’s goal: Express your observations, ask about available counseling support, and request a formal referral.
• Staff’s role: Act as the school counselor or psychologist, clarify the referral process, and outline next steps.
Scenario 2: Increasing Behavioral Changes
• Context: Your child’s teacher reports sudden outbursts and trouble focusing in class. You’re worried there may be an underlying issue.
• Parent’s goal: Share the teacher’s feedback, ask what supports are available at school, and find out how to connect with outside services.
• Staff’s role: Act as the teacher or support team member, recommend school-based interventions, and help complete a referral form.
Debrief Questions
- What communication strategies helped you feel heard and understood?
- Which questions or phrases gave you the most clarity about next steps?
- What felt most challenging, and how might you prepare differently next time?
- How can you apply these skills when speaking with community providers?
Use Participation Guidelines to offer constructive feedback during each pair’s role-play.
Rubric
Participation Guidelines rubric
This rubric outlines expectations for parents’ participation during the workshop. Use it to provide consistent, constructive feedback.
| Criteria | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement | Actively participates throughout, contributes insightful ideas, and listens attentively to others. | Participates consistently, shares relevant thoughts, and generally listens. | Occasionally participates; contributions may be limited or off-topic, and listens intermittently. | Rarely participates; little to no contribution; may be distracted or disengaged. |
| Communication Clarity | Articulates thoughts clearly, asks precise questions, and responds thoughtfully. | Communicates ideas clearly most of the time, with questions that aid understanding. | Attempts to communicate but may lack clarity or organization. | Struggles to express ideas; questions are unclear; responses may be confusing. |
| Empathy | Demonstrates strong empathy by acknowledging others’ perspectives and responding supportively. | Shows empathy by considering others’ feelings and offering supportive comments. | Occasionally shows understanding but often focuses on own perspective. | Shows little awareness of others’ feelings or perspectives. |
| Action Planning | Proposes clear, realistic next steps and commits to follow-up plans. | Suggests feasible next steps aligned with workshop goals. | Identifies some next steps but lacks detail or realism. | Does not propose next steps or plans are unclear and unfeasible. |
Scoring:
4 – Exceeds expectations
3 – Meets expectations
2 – Approaching expectations
1 – Needs significant support
Use these guidelines during discussions, role-plays, and reflections to recognize strengths and coach areas for growth.