A new outreach model aims to help students stay safe, find emotional support and focus on learning.
The city of Rochester Tuesday said its Pathways to Peace initiative will launch a proactive case-management approach through its school-based team. The team will designate a small number of students in each school who exhibit the greatest need for support and provide services both in and out of school, officials say.
These services include ensuring regular school attendance by monitoring attendance records and offering support to encourage attendance, home visits to connect with families and address barriers to academic success, and workshops that use evidence-based programs. In addition, the team will advocate for students at school meetings and in other settings, connect with parents, and collaborate with school staff to develop comprehensive support plans for students.
“The vast majority of Rochester’s children and people are going to have a great school year and show up on the first day of school with smiles on their faces and excitement in their hearts,” says Rochester Mayor Malik Evans. “But far too many are still experiencing the aftershocks of the pandemic and are calling out for help by making bad decisions. This new outreach model is the next step in our ongoing progress to answer that call.”
The city has a few programs through its Department of Recreation and Human Services, in addition to Pathways to Peace, that work with youth and families. Its R-Centers, for instance, cater to a mix of interests and activities, including sports and athletic programs, to keep young people active and engaged after school.
On the social-emotional health and wellness front, certified mental health counselors are available at the R-Centers. The Office of Crisis Intervention Services, including the person in crisis mobile response team, helps families and youth cope with trauma.
Nonprofit restorative wellness agency BreatheDeep, a city contractor, will offer counseling services to DRHS staff. It is expected to not only improve employee health but also help staff identify and respond to signs of trauma among clients.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].
All of it, a rescue program. Why does one need to be rescued? Because there was a problem, an issue, a misstep, an INITIAL failure. You know what that initial failure is…..I have written about it hundreds of times over the last 17 years……it’s a failing RCSD, a failing RCSB and a failing Adam Urbanski lead teachers union. That’s it. That’s all it is. If something fails over and over and over for decades…..address the failure and fix it. But we don’t want to step on any political toes. Those political toes are attached to the individuals who even gain from this initial educational failure. It’s there for all to see but no one has the guts to address it, to face it, to possibly have to work for a solution. As leaders of this community, educational and political, they are cowards in accepting the blame and just keep marching lockstep in the same failing direction. Welcome to Rochester’s Urban Education system. Semper Fi.