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

School Climate and Safety Resources

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
  • 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:

    Student Activities - A Sampling of Resources