NNews January 2025

5 January 2025 (continued from page 4) are identified as being at risk, and referrals to community resources, as explained in DCF’s NJ4S concept paper. Tier 3 includes assessment and brief individualized clinical interventions while youth await placement in behavioral healthcare programs to which they are referred for further evaluation and, if needed, ongoing counseling. Students access services fromSBYS andNJ4S before, during and after school, and some offer programming during the weekends. NJ4S staff are also deployed to schools and other community settings, as needed. “SBYS programs foster strong connections with our youth through the multitude of services we provide. Our accessibility, in addition to the breadth of our services students see us deliver, make it seamless to create connections,” explained Janel Gonzales, MEd, Site Coordinator, Pineland Regional SBYSP. “Kids come in just to talk. We learn a lot about what’s going on in their lives. We build relationships so they’re comfortable talking about anything,” said Michael Watson, MAHS, CRAS, Program Supervisor at The Hive, Legacy Treatment Services’ SBYSP at Pemberton Township High School. The Hive and other SBYSPs provide social activities, which “fill amajor gap even if there are no mental health challenges per se,” according toWatson. “Students come to school to socialize. Some get in trouble, so the activities help.” During the school year, The Hive also facilitates peer mediation. “We help students come to a common ground and resolve problems, whereas previously, they were getting suspended,” explained Nehemia Claude, Youth Development Specialist. In addition, the staff helps students with social-emotional learning, including anger management, and their school work. “Nehemia holds students to the fire, and we saw grades go from F’s to B’s. Students were excited when their grades went up,” Watson said. Claude also assists students with developing resumes and conducting job searches. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s (CCT’s) NJ4S implemented a different type of academic support program. In collaboration with the Trenton Free Public Library and the Learning Center in Hamilton, CCT developed a nine-week class for students with a third-grade reading level to get to their actual grade levels. “Mental health andwellbeing include students feeling good about themselves in the classroom,” stated Michael Lovaglio, Hub Director, Student Support Services – Mercer County. “If this program is successful, we will expand it. We listen to what communities/ organizations say they need and get it for them either directly or through partnerships,” he added. Complementary, Collaborative Programs “Staff at an SBYSPmay recognize a certain trend and then request their county’s NJ4S to provide a larger scale, Tier 1 event,” Richardson from Legacy Treatment Services shared as one specific example of how the programs collaborate. The programs also coordinate with other providers, DCF and its 2nd Floor helpline, PerformCare, Children’s Interagency Coordinating Councils and other local partners to ensure youth get all of their needsmet. Such collaboration results in creation of social activities, as well as effective development of new services. (continued on page 6) “ The staff’s energy is palpable at both NJ4S and SBYSP. It doesn’t falter though students’ acuity levels are high. They leave no stone unturned. They connect youth to food pantries, arrange for primary care, and do so much more. ” Sandra Grebel, LCSW Vice President, Children and Family Services Preferred Behavioral Health Group