Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Developing Resiliency with Engaging Approaches to Maximize Success (DREAMS) Program
The DREAMS Program was created in response to the overwhelming need for youth support programming to empower our students to better manage the anxiety, stress, and fear that ensued as a result of the recent pandemic. First piloted in the 2021-2022 school year, the DREAMS Program has received additional funding to continue this important work throughout our state.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) plays a supportive role to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJ DCF), in offering a limited number of school districts a no-cost opportunity to receive training and education in trauma-informed and healing-centered practices through the DREAMS Program. This program aims to promote healthy and healing school environments and will provide educators with resources and supports to aid in both their job satisfaction as well as in building positive connections with students and classrooms conducive to student learning.
School district staff involved in the DREAMS program will:
- Receive training in the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) and a Trauma Foundational Series.
- Identify up to two staff members per district to become NHA certified trainers.
- Have online access to related resources and training materials.
- Be connected to the NHA Community through a Nurtured Heart Approach mentor who will aid in the implementation planning of NHA within the school/district.
For a snapshot into the DREAMS Program, take a look through the following DREAMS Flyer.
If interested in receiving information to join a future DREAMS Cohort, please provide your contact information on the following DREAMS Interest Form.
Should you have any questions regarding the DREAMS Program, you may email:
NJ DCF CSOC: stacy.reh@dcf.nj.gov
NJDOE: SafeSupportiveSchools@doe.nj.gov
Please visit our Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered Practices webpage for related resources as well as information on Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACES).
DREAMS Program Reach
Graphic 1 - Statewide Service Provision for DREAMS Program (Cohorts 1 and 2)
DREAMS Program Spotlights
A "Cool Down" bulletin board where students are welcome to color as a self-regulation strategy.
A guide created for students based off of the reset component of the Nurtured Heart ApproachTM.
An elementary class created a book with entries from each student sharing what having a nurtured heart means to them.