Sofia Lopez, Director of At-Risk and Responsive Services

"I have access to the data...it shows what a great benefit this app has been to our students."

Sofia Lopez, Director of At-Risk and Responsive Services in Irving ISD shares how the app helps both students and staff...

"A lot of our students don't have insurance or don't have transportation because their parents are working full-time, so they don't have the opportunity to go to a counselor for therapy sessions. So Alongside has really helped those students that are in need of somebody to talk to, a professional person to talk to, to get support in their mental health. The Alongside app has helped those students that have those barriers, for them to have access to get tools, coping skills, things that they need in order to continue being successful in the classroom and in their daily life. So we are really thankful to have partnered with Alongside because you know, they are helping that population that does not have access to a counselor. And this app is great because it's available to our students 24/7.

This app is helping my job because I see the success. I have access to the data from all the other campuses, from the campuses that are actually using it. And I can see, those numbers are really, it shows what a great benefit this app has been to our students. And then while talking to the counselors, they are telling me that,  the students are, instead of coming to them,  they are reaching out to the app. And then if they notice that they need further support based on the responses that they are putting on this app, then they are able to reach out to the students.

Another thing that the counselors have noticed is, students that would normally not come and talk to them due to whatever reason, maybe they are too shy or they're not ready to talk to somebody in person because it's just conflicting to them, they don't want anybody to know what's going on. They've noticed that those students that were hesitant to reach out are now reaching out to the app. So that is amazing and we're really looking forward to working with them next year as well."

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