Children and Adolescents

Program in schools, communities and the home that address the needs of children and youth

Programs across the spectrum of WJCS services address the mental health, educational support and developmental needs of children and teens from pre-school through late adolescence. Based in school, community and clinical settings, services aim to be approachable and available to children and families and to offer access to other supports of WJCS when necessary. Interaction with families also seeks to enhance the parenting and communication skills of parents.   Bilingual Spanish-English staff is available in some programs.

SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMING
School districts county-wide contract with WJCS to provide high quality services for their communities. Our professionals work with school personnel, parents and community resources to provide on-site mental health counseling for children and their families and guidance for teachers. After-school programming engages children in recreational, skill development and enrichment activities that supplement academic goals and encourage positive social development.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - In partnership with school districts and NYS OMH, therapeutic and related preventive, early identification and intervention services for children with social, behavioral and emotional issues and supports for families are offered at:

• K.I.C.S. (Kids in Community Schools) School-Based Mental Health Program at Martin Luther King School, Yonkers - providing comprehensive, integrated, wrap around mental health and related services to children and their families
• HOSTOS comprehensive school-based mental health program at HOSTOS Microsociety Elementary School, Yonkers
• SCOPES at Woodside Elementary School, Peekskill (Supporting Children's Opp'ties & Parent Empowerment in Schools) (Eng/Sp) designed to improve educational, social and emotional outcomes for children experiencing social-emotional difficulties at school or home.  SmartStart at SCOPES tackles the various roadblocks to school success.   

EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS

• THE HARRY & JEANETTE WEINBERG LEARNING CENTER in-school and after-school learning specialists for children with learning problems
• HARDY GIRLS/HEALTHY WOMEN curriculum bringing strength and coalition-builidng focuses to school-based programs
• MARGARET'S PLACE, a partnership with the Joe Torre Safe-At-Home Foundation and Safe Horizon, to help young people affected by abuse in families, relationships or communities.
• YOUNG PEOPLE ACHIEVE!/YCL, fostering positive youth development through supportive programming for at-risk youth, Latino students, pregnant and parenting teens and families in various school districts (Eng/Sp).

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

• 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Programs at Martin Luther King Elementary School, Yonkers through the KICS program
• AMAZING AFTERNOONS at the Edward Williams Elementary School, Mt. Vernon
• "OFF THE STREET" involving teens as tutors and mentors at Hamilton Elementary School, Mt. Vernon

MENTORING & TUTORING

• "OFF THE STREET" involving teens as tutors and mentors at Hamilton Elementary School, Mt. Vernon    

HOME & COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES - offering conveniently situated services that bring supports, strength-building and community resources to young people and families across the county

MENTAL HEALTH

• CLINIC SERVICES - services in clinics and community based settings that help children and
  families address mental health, behavioral and emotional issues. Specialty services include
  Programs of the Treatment Center for Trauma and Abuse:
       •Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Center, assisting children affected by sexual violence
       •Juveniles Starting Over (formerly the Juvenile Sexual Offender Treatment Program)
• Emotional Wellness Screenings -- free, confidential, early recognition and intervention screenings for youngsters age 3 - 18.  
• FAMILY MATTERS / FAMILY MATTERS CASE MANAGEMENT / FAMILY MATTERS WAIVER / SAFETY NET-intensive mobile services for at-risk youth with serious emotional and behavioral issues
• EARLY STEP FORWARD - BUILDING BETTER BEGINNINGS, an early childhood, mental health project in Yonkers and Mt. Vernon providing on-site and in-home mental health and related supports and early intervention services for children from infancy through age 4 who are attending eligible Head Start or early childhood programs.

EDUCATIONAL & SOCIAL SUPPORTS

• ACHIEVING MILESTONES Early Intervention services for young children with developmental delay
• AUTISM SERVICES - resources and supports for children on the Autism Spectrum and their families
• CENTER LANE - a vibrant community center for LGBTQ youth
• FAMILY ADVOCACY for youth with developmental disabilities
• GPS (Guiding Parents through Services) - providing consultation and referrals to resources related to child or adolescent behavioral, emotional or adjustment issues for families in the Jewish community
• JUVENILE FIRE INTERVENTION PROGRAM
• THE HARRY & JEANETTE WEINBERG LEARNING CENTER learning specialists for children with learning problems
• MARY J. BLIGE CENTER FOR WOMEN enhancing academic and parenting skills for single mothers and providing youth development programming for girls grades 7-12
• PARENT CHILD HOME PROGRAM early learning and parenting programs including the Child Care Home Program, Parent Child Center and Early Childhood Matters!
• SERVICE COORDINATION for children with developmental disabilities
• THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT SERVICES for Children on the Autism Spectrum
• YOUTH SUCCESS pre-employment skill-building for court-involved youth.

JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES working with the judicial system to reduce problematic behaviors and create positive alternatives for young people

• LINKAGES New Rochelle Juvenile Justice System/Department of Probation program serving youth in New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon and Pelham
• JUVENILES STARTING OVER (formerly the Juvenile Sexual Offender Treatment Program)

Click here for a brochure of WJCS' Children's and Adolescent services

For Information regarding WJCS Programs for Children and Adolescents, contact:

Megan Flynn, PhD, Director, Assistant Executive Director, Child and Youth Services 
Phone: 914-761-0600 ext. 137 E-mail:  mflynn@wjcs.com

Patricia Lemp, LCSW, Assistant Executive Director, Clinic-Based Services
Phone: 914-761-0600 ext. 207 E-mail:  plemp@wjcs.com