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NYC Education Dept. to introduce mental health screenings, new community schools in hard-hit neighborhoods

The New York Daily News
Dec 21, 2020

City students in the neighborhoods hardest-hit by COVID-19 will get regular checkups on their mental health in the same way they do for their physical health, city officials said Monday.

City officials will begin administering mental health screenings starting next fall at public schools in 27 neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by the virus, Mayor de Blasio and first lady Chirlane McCray said.

“If you’re a parent who sends your child to a pediatrician every year for a physical, you know the preventive measures that are taken and peace of mind that comes with a regular checkup,” said McCray. “But our nation has never put that emphasis on ... prevention when it comes to mental health.”

The first lady added: “Think of these screenings as an expanded health checkup for students, to learn how they are feeling, how they are getting along with friends and at home.”

Screenings will consist of short questionnaires that can be administered by school staff who are comfortable with students.

If the screening suggests a student needs more support, they will be referred to health clinics, social workers or hospitals, according to officials. The Education Department’s partnership with the Health and Hospitals system will also grow as part of the new initiative, officials said.

Officials also plan to open 27 new community schools — which offer additional services like counseling and medical care to families through community-based organizations — and hire an additional 150 social workers in the hard-hit neighborhoods.

The community schools program — a major component of Mayor de Blasio’s approach to improving struggling schools — sustained a $3 million budget cut in October.

But Hizzoner said officials would find room in the budget for the new services.

“Whatever it takes, we will make it a budget priority, even if we have to reduce spending in other areas,” de Blasio said.

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