Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) and the Somers Point School District developed a partnership program to tackle the increase in cases of mental health issues, specifically with children and pre-teenagers, according to a release.
The district now offers on-site individual and family therapy sessions at the Dawes Avenue and Jordan Road schools.
“Even more so since the onset of the pandemic, mental health issues have come to the forefront, especially in children who lacked social interaction due to the upheaval of their daily routine,” said Naomi Jones, JFS senior director of Outpatient Services. “Being able to partner with the Dawes Avenue and Jordan Road schools will allow JFS to provide on-site counseling sessions to those in need.”
JFS Therapists Jessica Imperatore and Victoria Sinagria are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the elementary and middle schools. All sessions are confidential. In addition, the JFS Resource Center, located in the Jordan Road school, will be open Monday through Friday for group sessions.
Financial support for the program has been provided by the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder said. “Our students will have a variety of support groups available during the day along with individual counseling opportunities. In addition, counseling groups will also be available to students and their families. We are looking forward to a collaborative relationship with JFS to strengthen our school community.”
For more information about JFS programs and services, including Outpatient Counseling Services, contact 609-822-1108 or visit jfsatlantic.org.
