Supportive Services
The primary focus of Familia is to build strong relationships among staff and students while developing important social emotional skills. The curriculum is developed in partnership with the student support team and teachers and includes themes such as healthy relationships, dealing with grief and loss, coping strategies, goal setting, and community building. Each student is part of a Familia with 15 students and their madrina/padrino advisor.
Social and Emotional Counseling
All staff are here to support our students and are available to discuss any home, school or social concerns. In addition, our Social Worker and Compass Counselor can provide students services as well as refer students to outside agencies for clinical support when needed. We have partnerships with Mt. Sinai's Under the Rainbow program, New Life violence prevention mentors, YMCA/RISE, and more! Our Gads Hill clinicians also provide clinical therapy on site three days a week.
CPS commits to promote, provide, and develop a robust continuum of care through the convergence of policy creation, behavioral health services, multi-tiered systems of social and emotional support, restorative practices, and community partnerships to advance an equitable culture of mental health and wellness across the district. For More information please visit Mental Health (cps.edu)
Career and Academic Counseling
Career counseling is made available to all students. The College and Career Pathway Coordinator ensures our students are exposed to post-secondary options through workshops, summer enrichment programs, paid work-based learning positions, internship opportunities, guest speakers, and college campus visits. Through the WIOA and IYIP programs, we offer 30+ students paid work experiences each year at local businesses, organizations, and non profits. We also offer summer work based learning opportunities through One Summer Chicago, After School Matters, You're Not Alone (YANA) and the Center for New Horizons.
