School Based Programs
The Guidance Center offers several programs designed specifically to meet the emotional, social and behavioral needs of elementary, middle, high school and college students. By teaching students support and coping skills, social and academic goals are achieved. Our School Based Programs helped more than 700 students in 2006. Programs are available in Port Chester (Edison and Park Avenue elementary schools, Port Chester Middle and High School), New Rochelle and at Purchase College.
Port Chester
Project Get Together
Hispanic immigrant elementary, middle and high school students receive group counseling services through Project Get Together. The goal is to help these students combat isolation while fostering friendships that will hasten acculturation. Many of these students go on to our S.T.A.R.T. program for more intensive individual and group counseling.
Start Today And Reach for Tomorrow (S.T.A.R.T.)
The START Program serves middle school and high school students and provides individual and group counseling services in a school environment. The goal is to reduce the risks of school failure for adolescents, especially recently those from immigrant families, while addressing issues to improve behavior at school, home and other social settings. START is available to students at Port Chester Middle School and High School, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Edison Cares
Edison Cares offers preventative case management services to all parents in the Edison Community School, especially new immigrants. Support groups and parenting classes help with discipline strategies and understanding the school system as well as providing strategies for addressing other social, emotional and behavioral issues. Edison Cares is available at Edison Community School (Port Chester), Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
School Based Mental Health Centers
Our School Based Mental Health Centers provide counseling sessions (group or individual) to elementary school students who exhibit behavior problems, adjustment disorders or any mental health issue. The goal is to decrease the absentee rate and keep the children motivated and excited about attending school. At Edison School, the program is offered in conjunction with the Open Door Clinic, which provides medial and dental services. School Based Mental Health Centers are available to students in Edison Community School and Park Avenue School (both in Port Chester), Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
New Rochelle
Project CREATE
At-risk and disabled students who are not meeting the credit requirements for high school graduation have the opportunity to earn a GED and receive transitional services through Project CREATE (Careers, Recreation, Education and Transitional Effectiveness), a collaborative program with New Rochelle High School. Classes are held at Iona College, Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Supported Education for College Students
Any Westchester County student who enters college with a diagnosed mental illness can receive special coaching and support, regardless of where he or she attends college. This helps ease the adjustment to college life, as well as relieve academic and social pressures. Our counselor closely monitors each student enrolled in the program to help ensure that students stay on track to complete all courses and graduate. While the Supported Education Program is available to students enrolled in any college or university, it is housed at SUNY Purchase, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.