Bridges Program
Brooklyn, New York
About our project:
The Bridges program is a prevention program that aims to enhance the well-being of young children attending NYC public schools by providing consultation to teachers and a workshop series to parents of students in first grade. Consultation includes education on cultural competence, ethnic socialization, and common mental health problems exhibited by young children. For more information, view our poster.
Demographic data:
New York: Migration Policy Institute Links
Our work:
Consultation and training is provided in 5 schools in Brooklyn, NY, a community where the majority of the residents are immigrants from Afro-Caribbean countries Consultants, a team made up of NYU Child Study Center Clinicians and community representatives, help teachers implement proactive behavior management
techniques, incorporate cultural activities in the classroom, and effectively engage
families. Parent workshops focus on ethnic and racial socialization by encouraging the use of strategies that teach children about the unique values and behaviors of their culture of origin and instill pride in their cultural background. In our first year we provided 105 hours of training to 116 school staff, 250 hours of consultation to 34 teachers and guidance counselors, and 30 hours of parent workshops to 122
parents across the five schools. In total, 504 and 526 1st grade students received prevention services in years 1 and 2, respectively.
Our Partners:
•
NYU Child Study Center•
PS 66, PS 114, PS 135, PS 167, MS 394
• High Times Christian Church, CAMBA, & New Hope Church
What we are learning:
• Curriculum for teacher training and consultation (SEE ATTACHEMENT)
• Manual to assist parents in the utilization of ethnic socialization practices (SEE ATTACHEMENT)
• Examples of surveys to increase our understanding of the experiences professionals have working with a diverse group of young students. One survey is designed for mental health providers (SEE ATTACHMENT) and another for teachers (SEE ATTACHMENT)
• Sample guidelines and corresponding materials to track and refer students for mental health services. (SEE ATTACHMENT)
For more information about this project contact the project director, Esther Calzada, at esther.calzada@nyumc.org