TIES is an early education assessment and intervention program designed to create trauma-informed schools. The program focuses on early elementary grades pre-k through first.
Kids living in chaotic home environments or experiencing trauma, as known as chronic stress, have a higher chance to struggle at school, with developmental impairments, poor academic performance, and behavior issues. TIES works with teachers, students, and parents to help little kids be ready to learn.
TIES Liaisons providing assessment and intervention for children; support for families; and training for teachers and schools staff. Teachers and TIES staff meet regularly to address the needs of children and to find ways to build resilience in students.
Currently, the TIES program partners with Ohio County and Hancock County elementary schools. Since 2015, TIES has served hundreds of students in 16 elementary schools.
TIES has been studied by researchers at the WVU School of Social Work, with positive outcome results. Click the button below to read the article.
TIES is funded in part by the West Virginia Bureau of Behavioral Health.
Parent Resources
Meet the Team
Melissa Keylor
Director of Educational Services
I am the Director of Educational Services. I have a Masters in Social Work with a dual Bachelors in Health Services Administration and Child & Family Services. When not working , I enjoy spending time with my 9-year-old son, being outdoors and attending sporting events.
“Miss Jenn” Tucker
TIES Community Liaison
(Ohio County)
I graduated from West Liberty State College with a BS degree. I have been employed at Crittenton Services for 2 years as a TIES Liaison assigned to Middle Creek and Steenrod Elementary. I work closely with school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success. I reside in Wheeling with my husband, Paul. We have two children Marissa and Logan. I enjoy traveling and spending time with family.
Carmen Hill
TIES Community Liaison
(Ohio County)
I am a master level social worker. I currently work with pre-1st grade age students educating them on social and emotional aspects as well as assisting them in utilizing and developing these social emotional skills. I hope to service more schools, students, and families as the year progresses.
Julia Chaplin
TIES Community Liaison
(Ohio County)
Julia Chaplin was born in Wheeling, WV and graduated from WVU with a Multidisciplinary Studies degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy in 2020. She is a mother of a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son. She loves that in today’s school system a program centered around Social Emotional learning and teaching skills that will help children’s mental health and wellbeing lifelong is being introduced. She hopes this position will eventually span every grade level, teaching all grade levels and giving individualized support when necessary to aid the health of our youth and work towards a more preventative mental health approach which will benefit our community and society’s future.
Shelby Hlad
TIES Outreach Worker (Ohio & Hancock Counties)
My name is Shelby. I was born and raised in Wheeling, WV, and I love our rolling hill. I’m a wife and a mother; when I’m not doing that, I enjoy working with the animals on our hobby farm. My background is in early childhood development and care, with six-plus years of experience working with children and families. I enjoy providing children and families with the tools that they need to be successful in all aspects, and I consider it my lifelong passion.