Services
School-Based and Prevention Programs
Children growing up today face many pressures, perhaps more than at any other time. Whether these stem from society’s problems or within the immediate family, the results can be profound.
Perhaps emotional turmoil is caused by the break-up of a family through separation, divorce, or death of a parent. Maybe the stress resulting from single parenting or immigrating to a new country becomes too much for a family. Violence, drug and alcohol abuse, AIDS, and coping with sexuality also add to the confusion.
These situations affect children in different ways. Some react by becoming depressed or anxious. Others are fidgety or overly active, having problems with learning and concentration. Many become angry and impulsive.
Whatever the reason, most of these problems are first apparent when children enter school. If untreated, the problems become more severe, having an impact on their adjustment to school and within the family itself. There may be instances where a recommendation is made for placement in Special Education classes. However, this is not always the answer for children who demonstrate improper behavior or poor work habits.
In these situations, mental health services must be provided as quickly and easily as possible. To help these children, Brooklyn CareWorks offers school-based therapeutic programs—the Rose Gelormino STAR Program, WIN On-site School Program, and Central Brooklyn Initiative Program—that provide counseling services to children within several of the borough’s public schools.
STAR Program
Patricia Reid, LCSW, Director of the Louis E. Reinhold Downtown
Mental Health Clinic and Rose Gelormino STAR Program
189 Montague Street, Suite 436
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: (718) 875-7510
Fax: (718) 643-3455
Through its Rose Gelormino STAR Program, Brooklyn CareWorks provides therapeutic services to elementary and middle school children and adolescentsattending PS 32, PS 38, PS 261, PS 230, and MS 88 who as a result of emotional or social difficulties are at risk for Special Education placement.
The goal of the program is to help children overcome the emotional problems affecting their ability to learn while maintaining them in regular educational classes. Counseling services initiated promptly may prevent future problems from becoming more serious. These services include individual, family, or group therapy as well as crisis intervention.
Initially, a guidance counselor recommends to parents that counseling for their child is needed. After parents have authorized a referral to the STAR Program, a counselor evaluates the child and makes a recommendation. Parents also are asked to participate and sign a consent form to initiate counseling.
In addition, children referred to the program have a psychiatric evaluation. Parents will be notified of the date and time of the psychiatric evaluation and asked to attend the meeting. Parental participation in a child’s treatment is important to ensure that it will be effective. Therefore, the STAR Program urges parents to meet with the child’s counselor regularly and attend the psychiatric consultation. A counselor also is available to help parents with any personal problems they are experiencing.
Any information revealed in a counseling session is strictly confidential except in cases of emergency. There is no reference to the STAR Program in the child’s school record.
Participating Schools
PS 32
317 Hoyt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11233
(718) 852-8153
PS 38
450 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 243-2308
PS 261
314 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 643-6659
PS 230
1 Albemarle Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11218
(718) 436-4095
MS 88
544 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 832-2966
Fee Structure
Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, private insurance.
WIN Program
Helga Abel, LCSW, Assistant Director of the Williamsburg-Greenpoint
Mental Health Clinic and Director of the WIN Program
819 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Tel: (718) 388-5176
Fax: (718) 388-6159
Through its WIN Program, Brooklyn CareWorks provides therapeutic services to children and adolescents attending IS 49, the William Gaynor Intermediate School, who as a result of emotional or social difficulties are at risk for Special Education placement. Parental participation in counseling is a major component of these programs.
Participating School
IS 49, William Gaynor Intermediate School
233 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Fee Structure
Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, private insurance.
Central Brooklyn Initiative Program
Nixon Charles, LCSW-R, Director
2146 Beverley Road
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Tel: (718) 282-1641
Fax: (718) 282-5168
For teens, the transition from middle school to high school is often a difficult one. The Central Brooklyn Initiative Program is made up of a team of counselors and case managers who help students make successful personal and academic transitions and complete their high school education.
Failing grades, cutting class, truancy, and behavioral problems often signal difficulties in adjustment. Emotional stress may also result from unrecognized learning problems or peer conflicts. Central Brooklyn Initiative Program staff members meet with students, parents, and teachers to design a plan of action that will help the struggling student succeed. The service is free and confidential.
Students enrolled in the program meet with their counselor individually or in peer groups regularly. Family counseling is available, as well as referrals for tutoring and educational youth centers.
The program also can provide information on alternative schools, night school, job training services, and G.E.D. classes.
Participating Schools
Erasmus Campus High School
911 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Wingate Campus High School
600 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
ACORN Community High School
561 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Fee Structure
No fee.
Community Demographics
Erasmus Campus High School
911 Flatbush Avenue
Map and 2000 demographics cover a 1-mile radius surrounding school.
City Council Member: Dr. Mathieu Eugene
| Total Population: | 186,419 |
| Black: | 72.7 % (135,474) |
| Hispanic: | 12.5 % (23,386) |
| White: | 6.4 % (11,996) |
| Asian: | 3.2 % (5,886) |
| Unemployment rate: | 13.2 % |
| Income under $10,000 | 18.4 % |
| $10,000-20,000 | 14.5 % |
| $20,000-30,000 | 15.4 % |
| $30,000-40,000 | 12.6 % |
| $40,000-50,000 | 9.9 % |
| $50,000-60,000 | 8.0 % |
| $60,000-75,000 | 8.1 % |
| $75,000-100,000 | 6.6 % |
| $100,000-150,000 | 4.6 % |
| $150,000-200,000 | 1.1 % |
| Over $200,000 | 0.8 % |
Source: BEDC
Wingate Campus High School
600 Kingston Avenue
Map and 2000 demographics cover a 1-mile radius surrounding school.
City Council Member: Dr. Mathieu Eugene
| Total Population: | 190,252 |
| Black: | 80.4 % (152,971) |
| Hispanic: | 7.8 % (14,873) |
| White: | 6.9 % (13,158) |
| Asian: | 1.1 % (2,090) |
| Unemployment rate: | 13.9 % |
| Income under $10,000 | 18.7 % |
| $10,000-20,000 | 14.4 % |
| $20,000-30,000 | 15.7 % |
| $30,000-40,000 | 13.1 % |
| $40,000-50,000 | 9.9 % |
| $50,000-60,000 | 7.9 % |
| $60,000-75,000 | 8.2 % |
| $75,000-100,000 | 6.2 % |
| $100,000-150,000 | 4.2 % |
| $150,000-200,000 | 0.9 % |
| Over $200,000 | 0.9 % |
Source: BEDC
ACORN Community High School
561 Grand Avenue
Map and 2000 demographics cover a 1-mile radius surrounding school.
City Council Member: Letitia James
| Total Population: | 163,266 |
| Black: | 65.2 % (106,442) |
| Hispanic: | 11.3 % (18,496) |
| White: | 16.7 % (27,266) |
| Asian: | 2.8 % (4,647) |
| Unemployment rate: | 11.1 % |
| Income under $10,000 | 17.3 % |
| $10,000-20,000 | 11.4 % |
| $20,000-30,000 | 12.7 % |
| $30,000-40,000 | 12.2 % |
| $40,000-50,000 | 9.6 % |
| $50,000-60,000 | 7.6 % |
| $60,000-75,000 | 8.7 % |
| $75,000-100,000 | 8.7 % |
| $100,000-150,000 | 7.0 % |
| $150,000-200,000 | 2.0 % |
| Over $200,000 | 2.8 % |
Source: BEDC
Children’s ACT Team
Scott S. Opper, LCSW, Director
2150 Beverley Road
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Tel: (718) 693-7899
Fax: (718) 693-7729
Brooklyn CareWorks’ Children’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) TEAM, the first ACT Team in the northeast region of the United States, provides psychiatry, nursing, social work, psycho-education, case management, and advocacy services to seriously emotionally disturbed children ages 5 to 17 by supporting and strengthening their families and preventing out-of-home therapeutic placement. Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services are offered in the family’s home environment.
Services Provided
- Intensive psychotherapeutic intervention.
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management services.
- Nursing services for healthcare needs.
- Information coordination and advocacy for services such as entitlements.
- 24-hour crisis intervention and availability.
ACT Team Members
- Administrator
- Health coordinator
- Psychiatrist
- Social Worker
- Case Manager
- Parent Advocate
- Peer Counselor
- Secretary
- Driver
Children who are eligible include those who are:
- Emotionally disturbed.
- Between the ages of 5 and 17.
- Have an Axis I and DSM IV diagnosis (precluding substance abuse as primary).
- Have been either in a psychiatric emergency room, had a psychiatric hospitalization, or a mobile crisis team visit, at least once during the past year.
Neighborhoods Covered
- Crown Heights, CDs 8 and 9.
- Flatbush/Midwood, CD 14.
- East Flatbush, CD 17.
- Canarsie.
- East New York.
Fee Structure
No fee.