Partnership with Children NYC
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Open Heart - Open Mind

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OPEN HEART - OPEN MIND: FAQ
Q: How is a student's social and emotional well-being related to his or her achievement in school?
A: Many of the children we serve are dealing with a lot of social and economic pressures such as living in temporary housing, having family members who have died of AIDS, living with parents suffering from drug or alcohol problems, and witnessing or being the brunt of violence in the home or in the community. These pressures impact the child emotionally, socially and cognitively. When a child has to spend most of his energy on holding himself together, he doesn't have any energy left over to focus on school work and instruction. Instead, he or she often exhibits disruptive behavior and acts out. We provide individual counseling and other services to help children experiencing these stresses to free up their cognitive energy so that they concentrate in class and learn.

Q: Besides individual counseling, what other services does Open Heart-Open Mind provide for children?
A: We provide small group counseling, full classroom counseling and crisis counseling for the children in the schools in which we work. Our small group counseling program integrates various activities in order to provide a creative outlet for students to explore their interests and talents while developing socialization skills. Partnership with Children's small groups include a Peer Mediation group, Newspaper group, and Environmental group.

Q: How is Partnership with Children's Open Heart-Open Mind program different from other community-based organizations that provide counseling?
A: Lots of programs come into schools one day per week and don't seem to fully meet the needs of the school. Partnership with Children's staff is a presence in the schools five days per week from September through June. Our social workers integrate into the school community and thus are able to build trusting relationships with children, parents and teachers and provide services to promote the success of all the children in a school.

Q: What are the ages of the children served by Open Heart-Open Mind?
A: Open Heart-Open Mind serves students in elementary,  middle, and high school.

Q: What sort of impact does Open Heart - Open Mind have on the students it works with?
A: Annual independent evaluations of Open Heart -Open Mind illustrate that the program results in improved behavior and academic performance in the students it serves. Read more about Open Heart -Open Mind's RESULTS.

Q: How can my child's school become involved in the Open Heart-Open Mind program?
A: Partnership with Children's Open Heart-Open Mind program operates in schools across New York City. Open Heart-Open Mind can only enter a new district and school with the support of the respective regional superintendent and principal. If you are interested in Open Heart-Open Mind coming to your school, contact your principal, PTA, School Leadership Team, or call us.
 
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