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PRIEST RIVER — Through a collaboration between Idaho Hill Elementary School and local agency Raising Resilience, qualified social workers visit the school weekly to provide emotional, social and behavioral support to students.
“Our goal has always been to support the whole child,” Raising Resilience director Navara Reardon said in a news release. “This partnership allows us to meet students where they are and give them the tools they need to thrive.”
The partnership was formed with the goal of ensuring students receive the support they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom, according to the news release. Though Idaho Hill teachers work to meet students’ academic needs, it became increasingly clear that some required additional support with managing emotions, building healthy peer relationships and developing positive coping skills.
That is where Raising Resilience stepped in.
Social workers meet with such students during the school day, providing individualized support, teaching self-regulation strategies, helping students navigate peer conflicts and building skills in problem-solving and communication.
Staff and faculty have seen the impact across classrooms.
Idaho Hill principal Loretta Glazier reports improvements in student behavior, such as increased focus during instruction and stronger peer instruction. According to the news release, students who struggled with emotional outbursts now demonstrate improved coping skills and greater confidence.
“Students often wanted to take breaks, a sign of avoidant behavior,” Glazier said in the news release. “But they’re now able to stay in the classroom and handle some of the academic challenges.”
Furthermore, the partnership extends beyond school walls. After establishing relationships with students, social workers begin to work more directly with families, offering resources, guidance and ongoing support, ensuring consistency between school and home and reinforcing the strategies students learn.
Parents have expressed gratitude for the additional support, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with professionals who understand both child development and family dynamics.
Raising Resilience’s approach is founded on Trust-Based Relational Intervention and emphasizes teamwork, where educators, parents and social workers work together to create a supportive environment.
As the program continues to grow, Idaho Hill remains committed to strengthening its partnership with Raising Resilience and expanding opportunities for students and families.
