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“Vernon Township School District has experienced the growing need for mental health support due to an increase in students presenting with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, crisis situations and other significant social-emotional and behavioral concerns.  

“The partnership between Vernon Township School District and NJ4S has significantly expanded our ability to meet the growing mental health needs of our students. 

“NJ4S has also benefited families by offering parent education, connecting them with community resources and improving access to ongoing mental health services outside of school. Staff have gained valuable consultation, training and support regarding student mental health concerns, contributing to a more coordinated, proactive approach.” 

—Leia Fontana, LCSW, District Clinician, Vernon Township School District 

“NJ4S staff facilitated a six-week Tier 2 small group focused on emotional regulation, coping strategies, stress management, communication skills, problem solving, and peer support. Students participated in weekly interactive activities, discussions, skill-building exercises, and role plays designed to increase resilience and self-awareness. NJ4S also shared strategies and resources with school staff and parents / caregivers to help reinforce the skills students were learning across school and home settings. 

“NJ4S was always on time and dependable. The program was well organized and the best part about it was it was FREE!  I cannot say enough good things about this program and how much our district and my school personally benefited from the services provided!” 

—Valerie DeTetta, School Counselor, Sgt. Dominick Pilla Middle School, Vineland 

“I wanted to personally say thank you to Partners in Prevention/ NJ4S for providing PS 24, 38 & 33 with workshops during our Summer Sparks Camp. 

“As a result of the workshops provided to our scholars, we have noticed that not only did the presenters establish a positive classroom environment, but the lessons were well structured, and our scholars enjoyed the classroom discussions and activities. 

“Our scholars were engaged and attentive while participating in some sensitive and realistic topics of challenges they face in their day-to-day living. Students took away skills that will help to keep them safe both physically and mentally. 

“Honestly, you guys make our lives at the school easier, and we definitely appreciate all of you.” 

—April Lewis, Jersey City Student Assistance Counselor 

“These programs are a great blessing for me and for the church and especially for the community to have these types of programs that are focused on the needs of the community and families. 

“These programs have helped me and my family so much to learn how to lead in some areas of our lives. I am very grateful and very satisfied with the work team they have, very professional and very passionate about their work. I give them 100% credit for quality, and I congratulate them for their hard work. Thank you and a million blessings. Keep it up.” 

—A Union City Parent 

“The school requested Tier 3 support for a student experiencing significant anxiety, and absenteeism contributed by her anxiety challenges. 

“NJ4S Clinician met with referring school staff to better understand the concerns, the student and family’s scholastic history, and what supports had already been attempted. Through this discussion, the school and NJ4S identified a need for an individual counseling initial evaluation, to better explore and identity presenting challenges, gauge student’s interest in Tier 3 services with NJ4S Clinician, and to provide follow-up with student’s caregiver if student was indeed interested in engaging with services. 

“Student demonstrated improved emotional regulation, utilization of healthy coping skills, improved interpersonal relationships, improved meaningful participation and attendance to school, decreased anxiety symptomology, and improved self-esteem. School staff reported improved classroom participation and consistent attendance.  

“Caregiver also reported having observed meaningful changes related to the discussed individual counseling strategies. The collaboration between the school, NJ4S, and caregiver helped promote greater consistency across settings and strengthened support for student success. 

“The school valued NJ4S Clinician as a responsive partner that could help identify student needs, provide individual counseling, and collaborate between school, student and family to best support the student in need of support.” 

—A Counselor from Manchester Township High School 

“An NJ4S provider facilitated an eight week-week Tier 2 small group focused on emotional regulation, coping strategies, stress management, communication skills, problem solving, and peer support. Students participated in weekly interactive activities, discussions, skill-building exercises, and role plays designed to increase resilience and self-awareness. 

“Students demonstrated an improved attitude towards school and were excited for each group session. School staff reported improved classroom participation, more foresight and consideration of others’ feelings and opinions. 

“NJ4S helped the school address student needs early, while also strengthening the school’s capacity to support social-emotional well-being. The NJ4S provider had a great rapport with the students, and they looked forward to his visits weekly.” 

— Stella Siciliano, School Counselor and Social Worker, Hillside Avenue School 

“After 2 years of utilizing NJ4S, there has been an increase in awareness within the students. Students have been observed utilizing skills learned specifically in their communication skills when it comes to managing conflict alongside staff. Students can mediate with staff supervision more calmly and successfully. Staff have been even more mindful of potential bullying as well as mental health concerns within our student population. 

“I strongly believe NJ4S was helpful for our students. Staff have also shared gratitude and teachers in which their period was used for the lesson have shared enjoyment in watching the presentations. NJ4S is a valuable tool for our community and this year I will look to extend its support to our parents. Our community in its entirety can benefit from NJ4S.” 

—A Counselor from Community Charter School in Paterson