Lake Forest’s Dana Carey named behavioral health pro 2023

Dana Carey, a counselor at Lake Forest School District, is Delaware’s 2023 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year

Dana Carey – counselor at Lake Forest North Elementary School – is this year’s behavioral health pro of the year.

“I would like to first thank my Lake Forest family,” she said. “Thank you so much for being here to support me and love me. 

School behavioral specialists are typically psychologists, counselors, social workers or nurses. 

They assist teachers by working one-on-one with students who might be disruptive, students who are disengaged due to something like ADHD, or any other behavioral interferences to a child’s learning. 

Lake Forest School District – the Felton, Kent County district servicing  3,600 children – is small, she said, but mighty. 

“I am very proud to be a Spartan,” she said, “I would also like to thank my family, my mom, my husband and my three beautiful children, Emma, Mason and Luke.”

THIS YEAR’S CANDIDATES: State behavioral health worker of year to be named June 8

She won over nominees from 18 other districts and one charter school.

Carey gets a $10,000 award– $5,000 to pocket and $5,000 for the educational benefit of their students.

The other 19 finalists receive $2,000.

Eligible candidates have worked at least three years as a behavioral health professional and hold a certification or licensure credential through the Department of Education and/or the Professional Regulation Board.

Jarek Rutz

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.

Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.