Welcome to my website!

SAC counseling services are a confidential support for students- primarily focused on drug/alcohol prevention and mental/behavioral health issues.  Students are referred to the SAC by the school counselors, educators, administrators, parents, peers and/or student self-referrals.     

I offer confidential individual and group counseling services and my groups are topic-specific. Groups topics are as follows:  

I am also responsible for universal and targeted prevention programming and interventions throughout the school year - such as prevention assemblies and guest speakers, social awareness weeks, boys/girls leadership clubs, class visits, and more.                                                                         

This website will be updated with current community workshops, resources, and supports.  I will have links for topic-specific referral information (grief, addiction, mental/behavioral health, domestic violence, etc.) and community service resources (food pantries, health care resources and more). If you or someone you care for has a need not listed, please reach out to me and I will assist you in finding the appropriate supports.  I can be reached at 609-267-4226 ext 8173 or ccech@burlcoschools.org

My door is always open! Do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to assist YOU!

“Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help." The truth is that we are both. We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” 




Colleen Cech, LCSW

Student Assistant Counselor


I'd like to introduce myself to the BCIT community.  My name is Colleen Cech and I am the Student Assistant Counselor (SAC) here at BCIT - Westampton Campus.  Although I joined the BCIT family in May 2019, I am not new to the SAC role or to working with youth and their families.  Just to share with you a little about myself professionally,  I am a clinical social worker by trade and have spent most of my career in the individual and family therapy world.  I received my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Syracuse University, where I was also a member to the SU field hockey team for four years.  I received my Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers-Camden and subsequently became a NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), practicing in the south Jersey region. I went on to obtain my SAC certification from TCNJ and transitioned from the mental-behavioral health sector to the public education system.  Through my work in the school system, I am able to bring valuable mental-health experience, knowledge of community supports for appropriate referrals and linkage, and also provide direct counseling services to students. I am continuing my education further through UPenn's Applied Positive Psychology certification program and hope to incorporate further strength-based supports for the WestTech community.

I'd also like to share a little about myself personally, as well. In my free time, I love spending time with my three daughters and two dogs, they keep me very busy outside of the school day.  I also enjoy getting out and about, by exploring fun, community activities with my girls (parks, theater, library, and more), and coaching their sports teams.  Besides my three daughters, three other things I enjoy the most are music, food and fitness.  My free time is spent attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and staying physically active.  I fully believe in the power of the mind-body connection, that physical fitness is a vital component to staying happy, healthy and motivated to live your best life.  

I am incredibly grateful to merge my professional and personal passions to assist you or your loved one on their journey to wellness. We all have the potential to live productive and joyful lives.  If you do not know where to start, it is ok.  We will start the process together, as I am here to assist you. One day at a time. Because each day is a gift and we will unwrap it so.  

I am so glad you are here! 

~Colleen Cech 




Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

In addition to my role as the SAC, I am also WesTech's Anti-bullying Specialist.  Please see the link below if you need to report an incident of harassment, intimidation or bullying. 

HIB report form 

BCIT HIB Policy 


Bullying Prevention Resources


NJDOE: Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) 

Pacer: National Bullying Prevention Center 

Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act 



Mental Health Matters newsletters

2023-2024 newsletters:

Mental Health Matters - Winter 2024 Edition - Semester 2 

October 2023 - Vol. 2 - Prevention Education and Awareness Month - Student Edition 

October 2023 - Vol. 1 - Mental Health Matters - Prevention Education and Awareness Month 

September 2023 - Mental Health Matters 


2022-2023 newsletters:


October 2022 - Prevention Education and Awareness Month - Volume 1 

September 2022 - Suicide Prevention Month 



2021-2022 archived newsletters:


May 2022 - Mental Health Awareness Month 


Feb/March 2022 - The essential roles of SELF-CARE and COMPASSION 


January 2022 - Finding Your Motivation 


December 2021 - Coping and Resilience 


November 2021 - Stigma, Myths, Empathy and what to do about it 


September 2021 - Building Relationships 


















Community Resources/

Referral information

(Click on underlined words to access websites directly)

Mental and Behavioral Health 

Counseling Resources

SCIP (Screening and Crisis Intervention Program)

@ Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County

218 Sunset Road

Willingboro, NJ 08046

Burlington County

 (609) 261-8000 or (609) 835-6180 (home out-reach)

In-Home out-reach and support: 

Request Perform Care to schedule appointment or request Mobile Response for immediate services.

Perform Care/Mobile Response 

1-877-652-7624 (24 hours a day/7 days a week)


Local Burlington County Resources

Oaks Integrated Care 

Center for Family Services 

Center for Family Guidance 

Family Support Organization of Burlington County 

Family Support Organization programs/workshops:

Feb, March, April 2021 

Penn Medicine - Princeton House Behavioral Health 

Harmony Bay Wellness 

Hampton Behavioral Health Center 

Victory Bay 


State Mental Health Resource Guide

State-wide mental health guide 

NJ Department of Human Services Resource Guide 

NJ 211 resource guide 

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI Burlington County 

Programs offered:   Free 6 Week Program.  (856) 222-9400.  NAMI Basics is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. Please email us at  namibasicsburlingtoncounty@yahoo.com

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention: YOU ARE NOT ALONE

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

NJ Youth Suicide Prevention 


NJ Youth Helplines

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

Call:   988 

2nd Floor 

Text or call:  1-888-222-2228 

NJ Suicide Prevention Hope line 

1-855-654-6735

Crisis Text Line 

Text HOME to 741741


Addiction Support and Recovery

Center for Family Services: Addiction and Recovery 

Enlightened Solutions: Holistic Addiction Treatment Center and Rehab Facility 

Solstice Counseling & Wellness Center 

Partnership to End Addiction 

SAMSHA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) 

SODAT (Services to Overcome Drug Abuse Among Teenagers) 

Starting Point - 12 Steps to a Better Future

(Coordinate and facilitate many programs including appropriate referrals to counseling and psychotherapy, workshops, forums, Twelve-Step meetings, and weekend programs) 

NJ Tobacco Quit Options 

New Jersey residents have access to 11 Quit Centers across the state. Each Quit Center offers individual and group counseling, resources and support to stop or reduce the use of all tobacco products. 

Prevention Plus of Burlington County 

Promoting healthy, safe and drug-free lifestyles

The Grace Project 

Want to get involved and give back to help individuals and families impacted by addiction?  Check out The Grace Project website to learn about volunteering or donating.

Grief Support

Autumn 2022 Weekend Grief Camps (Ages 7-17) 


Community Grief Support Groups and Individual Grief Counseling 

Grief Counseling (dates & times) - groups & individual 


Online Grief Resources 

(podcasts, videos, articles, books and more)

Grief Support Resources 


NJ Grief and Loss/COVID-19 supports

Guiding the Education Community Through the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Good Grief

Good Grief is a program that builds resilience in children, strengthens families, and empowers communities to grow from loss and adversity. 

(Individual, group and family counseling; camps; and more)

Good Grief 

A Better Tomorrow Counseling Services 

P:856-266-4983 | F:856-637-2274 | info@abettertomorrowcounselingservices.com 

Grief Relief 

hillarybilek@griefreliefcenter.com

609-379-3024


Developmental Disabilities / 

Special Education Resources


SPAN Parent Advocacy - Empowered Parents: Educated, Engaged, Effective  


NJ.gov Special Needs Education 


NJ DOE Legal Protections and Responsibilities: New Jersey Public College-Operated Schools for Students with Disabilities   


A brief from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) 


Pacer Center: Champions for Children with Disabilities 


Eating Disorders Treatment & Recovery

The Renfrew Center 

Princeton Center for Eating Disorders 

National Institute of Mental Health - Eating Disorders 

Hidden River 

Residential eating disorder treatment for girls and women ages 11 to 20 utilizing an expert, compassionate treatment team emphasizing family involvement. We offer a beautifully designed facility in a peaceful, natural environment conducive to recovery and healing. 


Violence Prevention and Support Resources

NJ DCF (Department of Children and Families) state DV resources 

CONTACT Burlington County 

NJCEDV (New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence) (contacts/resources/hotlines/shelter)


NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline:

Call 1-800-572-SAFE (7233)


National Domestic Violence Videophone

for Deaf survivors:

Call 1-855-812-1001, or Text LOVEIS to 22522


SERV (Services Empowering the Rights of Victims) 

SERV: Safety Plan 

SERV: Teen Dating Violence Facts/Data 


New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault 

1-800-601-7200

http://www.njcasa.org/


National Human Trafficking Hotline


Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline

Phone 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Chat now on their website: Rainn.org


Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:

All survivors in NJ have the right to the speak with a prosecutor after filing a report to learn about their options in reporting.

609-265-5035


Planned Parenthood (Delran, NJ)

Reproductive Healthcare, Sex Education, STI/STD Testing

609-788-3195


Nationalities Service Center 

Provides services to meet the needs of newly arriving refugees, victims of human trafficking and unaccompanied children. Provides English classes, health and wellness information, legal representation to low-income individuals in relation to immigration law.

215-893-8400 

www.nscphila.org


Burlington County Child Advocacy Center 

A child friendly atmosphere for victims being introduced to the criminal justice process. Juvenile victims are interviewed here.

http://www.burlpros.org/units-departments/child-advocacy-center/

609-265-5881


Burlington County Adult Protective Services

For vulnerable adults living in Burlington County that is experiencing abusive living situations.

609-518-4793


Burlington County Board of Social Services

Board of Social Services helps with services such as emergency assistance, housing, child support, health coverage and more.

609-261-1000


Division of Child Protection and Permanency

1-877-NJABUSE (652 2873)

To report suspicions or allegations of child abuse

Housing Assistance/Homeless resources

Housing Hub 

609-265-5185

Local Homeless/Emergency Housing contacts 

Rental Assistance Application - Burlington County 

Mortgage and Utility Assistance - Burlington County 


LGBTQ

The Safe Zone Project

The Safe Zone Project is a free online resource for powerful, effective LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops.

The Safe Zone Project 

Kaleidoscope Teen Center

Youth-centric LGBTQ program providing support and guidance to South Jersey teens. 

The Trevor Project 

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. 


GLSEN 

Championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 education since 1990

GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.



PFLAG 

Our priorities: proud people, loving families, safe communities, and a diverse and inclusive world.


The PFLAG Chapter Network--with over 400 chapters across the country--provides confidential peer support, education, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies. PFLAG chapters are in communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. With 200,000+ members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas, PFLAG has been saving lives, strengthening families, and changing hearts, minds and laws since 1972.


Chapter Name: PFLAG Collingswood

State: NJ

Phone Number: (856) 834-6355

Email: pflagcollingswood@gmail.com



GSE (Garden State Equality)


New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ advocacy and education organization with over 150,000 members.

GSE mission is to provide quality, innovative community programs, educate and train service providers, and pass pro-equality policies to protect and meet the needs of LGBTQ New Jerseyans.


Burlington County Gay & Lesbian Alliance

2605 Saxony Drive

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

(609)802-0394


Mazzoni Center 

We provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals we serve. 

Mental Health Apps

Insight Timer  - mental health app with over 90,000 FREE meditations

Headspace  - live a healthier, happier, more well-rested life in just a few minutes a day with the Headspace app. 

Calm - mental health app for meditation and sleep.


Mental Health Online Resources

Black Mental Wellness 

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)