2024 was a year of success for our small, but mighty team. We worked with 68 clients from around the United States (WOW!), with 26 of those as retained clients from previous years. I asked each of our staff to sum up this past year in 1-2 words and this is what our team came up with: Gaige: Synergic Opportunities Samantha: Monumental Teamwork Brittany: Sustainable progress Sterling: Growth Mentality Jess: Exceeded Goals In 2025, we hope to continue to do more of the Read ▸ about Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from the Cairn Team!
Happy Birthday to our New Chief Operating Officer!
In October of 2016, I hired Samantha Lowe. She had recently graduated from Morehead State University with a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology. She was, in fact, the only candidate that seemed very comfortable with the idea of some of our work- sexual health education, substance use prevention, suicide, adolescent risk behaviors and many other health needs. Sam started as an executive assistant. Her tasks included creating binders for training events, organizing materials in the Read ▸ about Happy Birthday to our New Chief Operating Officer!
Pelion Middle School Empowerment Club- Girls with Goals
Written by Allison Sabb-Glenn, Shine Light on Depression Ambassador, South Carolina Girls with Goals is a small group that meets every Tuesday during Advocacy time at Pelion Middle School (PMS) in Pelion South Carolina. Advisory is a daily block of time (30 minutes) that allows students to participate in clubs or make up any missing work. The club's mission is simple yet profound—to empower young girls and break free from the shackles of mental health stereotypes. Students in Pelion, Read ▸ about Pelion Middle School Empowerment Club- Girls with Goals
Girls Empowerment Group
Written by Allison Sabb-Glenn, Shine Light on Depression Ambassador, School Counselor, South Carolina This past school year, I met with my girl's group in South Carolina and we began the curriculum for Erika's Lighthouse on Mental Health. I met with 20 6th-grade girls to discuss the topic of Mental health and depression. We began by bringing in the school's Mental Health Counselor to discuss her role here at the school and the services she provides to the students. We then began with Read ▸ about Girls Empowerment Group
A new Skills-Based Health Ed Product… Skills On a Ring™!
By Jess Lawrence, Director of Cairn Guidance About ten years ago, I came up with the idea to create cards that students use in health class engaging them using the health skills in variety of ways. Initially, my idea came to me when I was thinking how to create and active student audience when they observe a role play of other students. My idea was that students hold up the card when they see or hear a communication technique. I thought it might look something like: “I feel angry Read ▸ about A new Skills-Based Health Ed Product… Skills On a Ring™!
Sterling Ta’Bon, Healthy Schools Manager
My name is Sterling Ta’Bon, and I am the Healthy Schools Manager at Cairn Guidance. I live in Sumter, South Carolina. As a student, I was interested in how building relationships lead to more perspective and outcomes. While growing up in this small military town, I was given opportunities to experiment with the ideas of community cohesiveness and the promotion of self-efficacy. As a son of a public-school principal and grandson of a faith leader, I saw how all sectors of our community should be Read ▸ about Sterling Ta’Bon, Healthy Schools Manager
CDC Healthy Schools Funding Opportunity
During my time at the Oregon Department of Education during the years of 2003-2006, I was funded by and became very acquainted with the amazing support and funding opportunities that both the Division of Adolescent and School Health and the Healthy Schools Branch at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer and provide partnership to the school health community. I know as a potential grantee, thoughts of writing a 5-year application can feel enormous and overwhelming, Read ▸ about CDC Healthy Schools Funding Opportunity
This is NOT an April Fools’ Day Joke!
Follow us on social media and win an hour-long virtual professional development workshop for yourself, school, district or organization! We will select one follower per social media platform (chances increase for each social media platform you follow) to receive a one-hour professional development workshop on the school health or health education topic of your choice. Deadline is Sunday May 1. Winners will be announced by May 15. Read ▸ about This is NOT an April Fools’ Day Joke!