Kingston High School in Ulster County put a plan into place three years ago that surrounds high school students with a scaffolding of support.

Students needing help are assigned one consistent team of caregivers who monitor, challenge and assist them all four years.

The mental health/support teams were formed after the number of ninth-graders who failed to move on to 10th grade increased from 47 to 140 in a single year.

"They're the neediest group, and the largest group coming in," said Naomi Stevens, school nurse. "Their coping mechanisms are the least mature. It's very stressful for them."

Each team is assigned 600 students based on alphabetical groupings, which covers the high school's entire student population. However, not all students require the team's services.

Lauri Naccarato, high school English teacher and president of the Kingston Teachers Federation, said teachers support the team approach.

"By the time I get the kids, a lot of their behavior and attendance issues have been resolved," said Naccarato, who teaches 10th grade.

Here's a sample team: Jackie Kaplan, psychologist; Mary McClellan, counselor; Edie Schwimmer, social worker; Stevens, school nurse; and Mike Coffey, attendance teacher; all members of the Kingston TF.

Vincent DeCicco, assistant principal, is also a member, and Principal Marie Anderson oversees all four teams.

McClellan believes support staff within teams can be more responsive to parents. When they call, for example, any one of a half dozen people can speak to their child's current situation.

Team charts and notes track a student's issues and the strategy to deal with them. Weekly team meetings and e-mails keep everyone informed, including parents and teachers.

"I always look at teachers as first responders," said Schwimmer.

Psychologist Kaplan provides counseling and testing to determine special education needs.

As a school counselor, McClellan focuses on ensuring that students succeed academically. "Usually after report cards come out I'm very busy for about two weeks," she said.

DeCicco's role is disciplinarian: "I'm always the bad cop," he jokes. "There are 3,000 people here. It's like a little city."

DeCicco may be called on to work with the courts on probation, or on a Person In Need of Supervision petition.

Schwimmer, the social worker, shares some of the mandated counseling duties with Kaplan, and helps students with coping skills and emotional concerns.

She may have students do beading or artwork to help them relax.

She handles substance abuse assessment, anger management and depression issues.

"They can turn up at your door at 7:45 a.m., sobbing because their life changed overnight, because of how lightning fast gossip spreads (with computers and cell phones)," Schwimmer said. "There's no refuge."

Then there is today's tough economy.

"Kids are afraid their house is going to be foreclosed on," said Kaplan.

Teachers here started a discreet, in-house food pantry for students in need.

School nurse Stevens deals with medical and physical problems. Her duties sometimes include calling Child Protective Services.

Because of her role on the team, she often knows when a student who shows up in her office with a headache has other, deeper concerns.

"There's always someone available" for students, said counselor McClellan.