Reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month gave us the chance to highlight what drives our work every day: supporting children and families to heal and thrive after trauma. Through our free programs, which include weekly therapy sessions, art and mindfulness groups, parenting coaching sessions, educational resources, and more, we work to provide a holistic mental health support network for children and families.

During May, we expanded our ongoing mindfulness programs, engaged in timely conversations on responding to trauma and building resilience, and worked nationwide to train and equip caregivers on best practices to support children. As we look ahead, we remain committed to finding more ways to uplift the mental wellbeing of children and families in New York City and beyond.

NYSPCC President & CEO Delivers Opening Keynote at Florida Institute for Child Welfare's Annual Symposium

NYSPCC President and CEO Aysha E. Schomburg joined Krista Del Gallo of the National Center to Advance Peace for Children, Youth, and Families (NCAP) for the opening keynote at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare's annual symposium.

The conversation, “Nurturing Partnerships with Survivors of Domestic Violence,” explored the critical role child welfare workers and community partners play in protecting and supporting families experiencing domestic violence. The discussion emphasized how strengthening partnerships with survivors and family serving organizations can help mitigate risks for children and families experiencing domestic violence.

NYSPCC Connects with Families to Strengthen Services and Programs

The unique perspectives of children and families are at the heart of everything we do. Their experiences help shape the services we offer and guide the continued growth and improvement of our programs.

As part of our strategic planning process, the NYSPCC is partnering with Casey Family Programs to conduct a series of focus groups with parents in our programs. Their insights will help us better understand what’s working, what’s needed, and how we can continue to strengthen our support for families across New York City.

Director of Clinical Services presents at ACS’s annual convening on Mental Health Awareness

Trauma doesn’t only affect children. It touches the lives of those who care for them too.

In May, our Director of Clinical Services, Samantha Alvarez Benowitz, LCSW, presented on managing Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) at ACS’s Division of Child Protection and Child Welfare Support Service’s annual convening on Mental Health Awareness.

The session highlighted the impact that trauma work can have on the individuals that provide this care. Participants learned how to identify STS, and discussed ways that they can build resilience and take care of their own mental health.

Training Institute Staff Travel to Los Angeles to Train Friends of the Children

In May, our Training Institute brought their expertise to Los Angeles, where they led a powerful two-day workshop with Friends of the Children on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.

Friends of the Children is a national organization and its LA chapter pairs professional mentors (“Friends”) with children whose family have a history of child welfare involvement. Friends provide weekly support to children and their caregivers from kindergarten through high school graduation.

It is crucial that professionals who work with children have a foundational knowledge of child sexual abuse so they can understand the warning signs, know how to maintain appropriate boundaries, and feel confident engaging in conversations about safety with youth and caregivers.

Young Professionals Host Trivia at Grey Lady!

The NYSPCC Young Professionals Committee brought the energy to Grey Lady in Lower Manhattan for their latest quarterly “fun-raiser!” Guests came ready to mingle, make new connections, and flex their 2020s trivia knowledge—all for a great cause.

The night’s big winners walked away with a $50 Grey Lady gift card and bragging rights. Want in on the fun? Join our Young Professionals Committee and be part of the next one! Email Lea Shave for more information.

Thank You for your support!

In partnership,

The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

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