Personal-Social Development

Guidance personnel ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop their social-emotional competencies, make positive contributions to the school and their communities, and become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to support a healthy and productive future.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Thursdays, March 1 - May 3, 2012, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - DayOne Youth Group for Survivors of Intimate Partner Abuse provides a safe environment for young adults to talk, listen, share, and support each other as survivors of intimate partner violence. DayOne services are free and confidential. For additional information view flyer here or visit DayOne website at www.dayoneny.org
• The Mayor's Fund is fundraising for efforts to help U.S. southern states affected by recent tornados and those affected in Japan by the earthquake and tsunami.  Access donation information here.  School staff may visit the Office of School and Youth Development webpage for additional resources.
• View complete list of upcoming opportunities at our Guidance Portal main page   

Key Information

• The Interactive Voice Reporting System (IVR) and Frequently Asked Questions about related and support services and SETSS and ESL attendance for additional support
• Child Abuse and Educational Neglect Requirements - Chancellor's Regulation A-750, as well as resources to support compliance with State laws regarding child abuse prevention and intervention
• Students Living in Temporary Housing Requirements - Chancellor's Regulation A-780, as well as resources to support students in temporary housing
• Student Planning Interview Process (High Schools) - Updated attendance resources available to DOE personnel through the Principals' Portal.
• Student-to-Student Harassment, Intimidation, and/or Bullying - Chancellor's Regulation A-832 and Respect for All brochures (including translated versions)
• Suicide Prevention/Intervention- Chancellor's Regulation A-755-Additional Resources:
  • Access here the updated version of the NYC DOE Mental Health Resources- an attachment document to Chancellor's Regulation A-755.
  • After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools- Find this helpful toolkit among key resources provided by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• 2010 Discipline Code - Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures, and Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities K-12 (includes translated versions)

School Climate and Safety Resources

• Best Practices Standards for creating and maintaining a safe and supportive school climate

Respect For All Resources

The importance of promoting respect for diversity in our daily practice is vital to creating and sustaining an inclusive school climate and culture in each of our schools so that all students feel valued, supported and safe. Resources, including websites that offer free curricular, video and other classroom resources, professional development opportunities, fact sheets, research and other materials are available at Respect For All Resources

Mental Health & Community Resources

• AAFSC – the Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) launched their domestic violence program, Beit Amal or “House of Hope” in January 2010 to address the critical need for culturally competent services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the Arab American community. Services provided by Beit Amal include direct services to victims and survivors of violence, counseling, school-based workshops for teens, staff trainings, support and empowerment groups for girls and women, referrals, and community outreach and education.  For additional information about Beit Amal services, please contact Sara Elghobashy at (347) 560-6577 or sara@aafscny.org. For all other social services provided by AAFSC, please contact the main office at (718) 643-8000 or visit the AAFSC website. 

• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) - a clearinghouse of materials relating to Social Emotional Learning, including Safe and Sound: An Educator's Guide to Social Emotional Learning Programs
• Crisis Management Institute (Free Resources Section)  - Guidance Counselors, teachers, administrators and other school personnel may access suggestions for strategic practices in crisis management
• Dating Matters: Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention is a 60-minute, web-based training designed to help educators, youth-serving organizations, and others working with teens understand the risk factors and warning signs associated with teen dating violence. Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with Liz Claiborne Inc., Dating Matters is an interactive experience based in a virtual school setting, complete with navigation through school hallways and classrooms.  Email DatingMatters@cdc.gov or click here to learn more about teen dating violence prevention. 
• New! Health Information Tools for Empowerment (HITE) http://www.hitesite.org/ is a resource for medical, mental health and related services in New York. Click on Search for Programs and Resources for the School, Youth and Family “button” which provides a wealth of resources in areas such as: after-school programs/youth groups, child car/day care, counseling for children, domestic abuse/victims’ services, early childhood education, family financial and welfare services, home-based family support, LGBTQ services, mentoring, parenting support, psychological testing for youth, summer youth programs, and tutoring.
• New York State Student Support Services Center Newsletter "Making Connections" – includes current and past issues
• NYCDOE School-Based Mental Health Programs - an at-a-glance overview
• New! Office of Adolescent Health - A division of the US Department of Health & Human Services providing a wide range of resources on the topic of adolescent health. View here information posted Feb 8, 2012 addressing the topic of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention.
• The Citywide Mental Health Youth Resource Flyer - resources available to students and families
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City Metro, Inc. (NAMI-NYC Metro) Flyer - this group provides support for families and individuals who live with mental illness. Their free programs and services are designed to help meet the mental health needs of all New Yorkers
• The Nurse-Family Partnership program provides free nurse-home visiting services to low-income first-time moms to help them develop strong parenting and life management skills starting when the client is pregnant up until her child turns two years old.

Support Resources for Natural Disasters:

• School staff should visit the Office of School and Youth Development webpage for a complete list of resources
• Review Coping with Disasters and Traumatic Events, a resource from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• If you feel that your school community would benefit from having a crisis counselor on site, please contact your CFN Youth Development liaison, or Anthony Orzo in the Office of School and Youth Development
• For additional information on supporting students and families in crisis, you can share the Crisis Management Institute’s guidelines
• Facts for Families: Helping Children after a Disaster - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

Student Activities - A Sampling of Resources 

• The Alliance for Student Activities -a network of professionals promoting programs and resources to improve education through the use of student activities. Sample resources for Coordinators of Students Activities (COSAS): Suggested Reading list & video clip with tips on preparing for Freshman Student Activities
• Getting to Know You - A document highlighting beginning of the school year activities provided by Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility.