Effective Schools Solutions Mental Health Awareness Month Resources 
Research, Guidance, Tips & Resources for Educators, Parents and Caregivers May 2021 

Effective Schools Solutions Back to School Message:
We have heard from many of our district partners this year that they would like to have a video resource that can be shared with students and with parents/caregivers on how to navigate the social-emotional challenges of returning to school.

 With this in mind, ESS has created a video series for students and their parents/caregivers that focuses on ways to best foster emotional regulation (including stress management) to assist students in adjusting to in-person learning. The series contains 4 videos as well as the attached worksheets. The videos can be accessed by clicking on the links below:

• Elementary/Middle School student videos:

  • ES/MS English Student Video

  • ES/MS Spanish Student Video

  Elementary/Middle School parent videos:

  • ES/MS English Parent Video

  • ES/MS Spanish Parent Video

• High School student videos:

  • HS English Student Video

  • HS Spanish Student Video

• High School parent videos:

  • HS English Parent Video

  • HS Spanish Parent Video

 I hope you find these helpful and would encourage you to share these with your teachers and parents!

Parent Academy

Thursday, 5/13/21 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm -
"Sensory Processing Disorders: Navigating an Overwhelming World" -- Sensory Processing Disorder describes a difference in the way that some people’s senses are processed by the brain. This workshop provides an in-depth understanding of the condition, including the symptoms & behaviors associated with it, diagnosis, prevalence, history, therapies, and interventions, as well as how an educator can provide effective support.

*The Lead ESS PD Presenter for this presentation will be Christine Mohle, LCSW. 
Click here for the link to the Parent Academy presentation

 "Christine Mohle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specializes in working with children & adolescents. She has worked as a clinical therapist in a variety of milieus, including residential, school, and outpatient settings. Christine currently works in private practice treating children & families, and as a Mental Health Consultant & Trainer for camps, schools, and companies. As a former ESS employee, she is dedicated to helping organizations meet the mental and behavioral health goals of their stakeholders through training, strategic planning, and case consultation. Her areas of clinical expertise are in childhood trauma, anxiety disorders, and attachment."   

Click below to view the Special Education Town Hall 2/16/21 
Powerpoint Presentation
Special Education Town Hall 2 16 21
Watch the recorded meeting by Effective Schools Solutions:
Supporting Stress, Excessive Worry and Mental Health During COVID-19 for Parents and Caregivers

Meeting Recording link: 

This weblink will expire at the end of this school year, June 30th, 2021

Resource Links:

• Why and How to Read Your Child's IEP

• Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)

• New Jersey SPAN

• National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education

• Transition from School to Adult Life

• Advocates for Children of New Jersey

• Children's Legal Resource Center

• Creating a Home Where Your Child Can Thrive with a Disability

• Teacher Resources for Students with Special Needs

• Credit Scores

• Resources from the Department of Labor

• Project Lifesaver - The mission of Project Lifesaver is to use state of the art technology to find people with Alzheimer's disease, other memory disorders (such as dementia), or Autistic children who may be prone to wander. A wandering person with Alzheimer's disease, other memory disorders, or an Autistic child represents a critical emergency. They are often unaware of their situation. They may not call out for help and sometimes do not respond to people calling out to them. Click this Link or the title above to find out more information about Project Lifesaver.

• The Monmouth County Special Needs Registry is a voluntary service open to all citizens with disabilities who reside, attend school or are employed in Monmouth County. The registry was created to help police officers and other emergency service personnel to better assist residents with special needs in the event of an emergency by providing those first responders with vital information regarding a registrant's disability, emergency contact information, a physical description and current photograph of the registrant. Click this link for more information on the registry.

• NJ Public College-Operated Schools for Students with Disabilities.

• How to be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities (children's version)

• How to be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities

• Renters Rights and Housing Assistance for People with Disabilities
  Managing Your Child's Transition to Adulthood
  Home Modifications for Adults with Special Needs
  Special Needs Checklist: How Disability-Friendly is Your City?
  Vocational Training for Adults with Special Needs

• Tips for Inclusion web site

• Autism Services Network - Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology

• Parents' Academy - Helping Kids Cope with Anxiety - June 2, 2020

• Crisis Counseling for those Impacted by COVID-19

• Helping Kids Cope with Anxiety

• 2020-2021 Career Center Virtual Learning Guide for Parents/Guardians