Promoting well-being in schools

JFS’s school-based mental health program, KidSuccess, has been on the front lines for 32 years, welcoming children and adolescents, making a difference, and providing the resources they need to heal. While we provide services in school during the academic day, our hands-on approach creates a supportive environment both inside and outside of school that fosters achievement, self-esteem, resilience, and personal responsibility. 

Our KidSuccess team joins each school’s staff to support teachers, youth, and their families. They use modalities including but not limited to play therapy, art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (more commonly known as EMDR) therapy to help students address trauma at varying levels. 

This year, we are expanding KidSuccess to four new schools across two school districts (Denver Public Schools and Adams 12 Five Star School District), serving a total of 23 elementary, middle, and high schools with higher needs. Our team now includes 22 staff members and six interns. 

Due to education funding cuts, reduced services and resources, and upcoming Medicaid changes, we anticipate significant impacts on our clients. Although we may see the same therapeutic needs, the added layer of stress families will face is expected to prompt even more counseling demands both with existing and new clients. 

“In addition to having new partnerships this year, we’ll be working with schools to try and offer wellness groups to caregivers on the topic around creating routines, caregiver wellness groups, as well as understanding the role social media plays with today’s youth,” shared JFS KidSuccess Program Manager, Amanda Carter. “We know that kids have easy and available access to social media, and they see and talk about everything. It’s important that caregivers are aware of the exposure and associated risks.” 

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and is essential to overall health. KidSuccess addresses prioritizes students’ mental health and reduces barriers to support their success.