Anxiety and Depression Association of America

This website provides helpful information for caregivers for the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety and mood disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It also provides helpful information on school avoidance and many other related topics.

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute contains a wide variety of useful information resources for families and educators. The site explores concerns and challenges faced by parents, family members and educators. Learn how to effectively respond to emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. This website also contains many personal story videos.

Th Child Mind Institute is available online or in person (in New York City), offering evaluations, treatment and neuropsychological testing for children, teens and young adults.

Early Childhood Family and Community Engagement Centers (EC FACE Centers)

There are 14 Early Childhood Family and Community Engagement Centers (EC FACE Centers) in New York State. EC FACE Centers are part of the regional teams that use an intensive team approach. The Regional Teams, which include Regional Partnership Centers (RPC), Early Childhood Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Centers and School-age FACE Centers, provide technical assistance and professional development. Families, approved preschool and school-age programs, public schools and districts, and community partners are encouraged to contact the RPC and Early Childhood and School-age FACE Centers in their region of the State for assistance and training.

Please use the MS Navigator Mapping Tool to locate the Early Childhood FACE Center contact information for your location.

Education and Child Abuse and Neglect

This website provides a guide for mandated reporters in New York State; information on educational neglect; information on a Child Abuse and Maltreatment Workshop; information on child abuse in an educational setting; and a form to report child abuse in an educational setting.

Every Student Present Website

This website provides a multitude of information to help children succeed in schools. It addresses topics like:

• Children refuse to go to school
• Signs of stress and worry
• Dealing with shyness
• Reducing stress
• Vision and learning difficulties
• Building Resilience
• Ways to prevent bullying

and MUCH more!

Every Student Present is a public awareness intended to help families, school leaders and communities understand the importance of consistent school attendance and the impact of absences of children's learning, especially young students. The goals of the campaign are to promote awareness of chronic absence and to build capacity among schools, families and communities to reduce it.

There is also an entire section of the website with information and resources for educators and community coalitions.

Getting Help for Struggling Students

This tip sheet highlights a variety of resources available to students who need help with school. It includes information on Supplemental Educational Services (SES); Academic Intervention Services (AIS); P-3 Letters; and private tutoring programs.

Interagency Case Resolution Unit

The Interagency Case Resolution Unit works to assist caregivers and individuals in receiving the most appropriate community-based or residential services; minimize delays in arranging services or placements, and resolves barriers that impede timely service delivery or placement. 

The Interagency Case Resolution Unit becomes involved ONLY after all program options and dispute resolution procedures have been exhausted at the local and regional levels, or if a caregiver feels their child's needs are not being met by existing systems. 

How to Make a Referral

The agent making a referral on behalf of a child must provide the Council with the following:

• a completed Intake Form and a signed Release of Information Form;
• a description of the barriers encountered in attempting to provide appropriate services or placement;
• a record of the efforts that have been made by the referral source or others to secure services and/or placements for the child; and
• background information on the child's special needs.

A referral containing all of the information mentioned above may be submitted to:

Jill Chaifetz Education Helpline

Advocates for Children of New York (AFC)’s Jill Chaifetz Education Helpline is your resource for information and guidance on all education-related matters in New York City.
 
Parents can spend an enormous amount of time researching different programs or simply trying to understand their child’s education-related rights. If your child is struggling in school or experiencing school discrimination of any kind, our education specialists will assess your problem and provide you with free assistance, ranging from information you can use to advocate successfully on your own to assigning an education specialist or attorney to work with you directly.

Know Bullying: Bullying Prevention App

KnowBullying provides information and guidance to parents, teacher, and caregivers on ways to prevent bullying and build resilience in children. App features:

• Conversation Starters: Start easy, meaningful conversations with your children.
• Tips: Learn strategies to prevent bullying for ages 3—6, 7—13, and teens.
• Warning Signs: Recognize if your child is engaging in bullying, being bullied, or witnessing bullying.
• Reminders: Talk with your child when the time feels right: a quiet moment on the way to school or a game, during dinner, or relaxing outside.
• Social Media: Share successful strategies and useful advice via Facebook, Twitter, email, and text messages.
• Section for Educators: Prevent bullying in the classroom and support children who are being bullied.

NYS Parent Portal

Use the NYS Parent Portal to find caregiving tips and resources to enhance your role as a parent. The portal contains links to following websites:

• NYS Parent Guide - A guide to the first five years of your parenting journey.
• NYS Child Care and After School Locator - Find child care and after school programs near you.
• Every Student Present - Learn about the impact of chronic absence and tips to help your child attend school every day.
• NYS Multiple Systems Navigator - Learn to easily navigate multiple health, education and human service systems.