Child Mind Institute Partners with the New York City Department of Education to Provide A Helpline and Other Critical Supports for School-Based Staff This Fall

Webinars, workshops, and other resources are part of the City’s “Bridge to School” initiative focused on the social and emotional well-being of students, teachers, and school staff

NEW YORK, NY – The Child Mind Institute announced that it is partnering with the New York City Department of Education to provide a suite of tools for teachers and other school-based staff, including webinars, workshops, videos and print materials to support social-emotional learning in the classroom, as well as a helpline for educators to receive additional guidance and support, as part of the City’s new “Bridge to School” initiative. These efforts are all focused on addressing trauma associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and giving communities the resources they need to provide safe, supportive schools.

“Kids, teachers, school staff, and parents are all about to embark on a school year of tremendous uncertainty and unprecedented stress and anxiety. It’s essential that we do everything we can to give them the tools and resources they need to navigate all that lies ahead ,” said Child Mind Institute President Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz. “Our ongoing work in the City’s public school system has prepared us to jump in and help at this moment of acute need, when both the physical and mental well-being of our communities is at risk every day.”

“Bridge to School” is a Citywide initiative for the 2020-21 school year focused on the social and emotional well-being of students and adults in order to create a safe, supportive learning environment that confronts the trauma caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Schools will be equipped to integrate trauma-informed practices into school reopening, and build off of previous expansion of mental health supports in New York City public schools.

The Child Mind Institute’s helpline for school staff, which will be available Monday through Friday, 8am to 8pm, beginning September 21, and the additional resources will remain available to educators through the end of 2020. The partnership between the Child Mind Institute and the NYC DOE was made possible by the Fund for Public Schools, which secured philanthropic funding from the Robin Hood, Gray, and Tiger foundations.

The Child Mind Institute provides school-based services to New York City schools and other districts across the country, including teacher training workshops and a trauma and resilience programs for students.