The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the trauma experienced by our youth by increasing their feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. According to students in our schools (see youthtruthsurvey.org), social, emotional, and mental health issues have become the number one barrier to their educational success. Further, according to the most recent centers on disease control Youth Risk and Behavior Survey Data, our female students, students of color, and LGBQ+ students are more likely to experience suicidal ideation, mental health issues, or other health disparities. School counselors often work across many systems and cultures to create connections and relationships necessary to foster effective systemic change, which, along with interventions, can buffer the impacts of trauma. This presentation will provide school counselors with practical evidence-based school counseling approaches for creating systemic change, with approaches for collaborating with families, and with strategies for creating multi-tiered interventions that enhance Protective Factors, such as Hope and School Belonging, which buffer the impact of the pandemic and other childhood adversity.