School Based Services

The School Based Counseling Program works collaboratively with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). By partnering with the Office of Specialized Education and Supports and the Office Safety and Security, WES has provided behavioral health services to six high schools and seven elementary schools. WES has also partnered with the Woodlawn Childrens’ Promise Community and the University of Chicago. WES has assessed and served over 500 students.

WES has rendered Evidenced Based / Informed interventions within CPS. These interventions are based on a Three-Tier Framework, specifically designed for schools. Services develop student’s psycho-social and emotional growth and empowerment.

Students between ages 5-19 have received these tiered services.

Services provide universal support to the school, which is created specifically for the culture of the school, based on the individual school’s needs. Services encompass Anger Coping / Think First Evidenced Based Interventions and CBITS (Cogitative Behavior Intervention for Trauma in Schools). Services include individual counseling, group counseling, and community referrals.

WES programs support the socio-emotional growth and development of students through: programming that help youth work out problems and develop non physical means for resolving conflict. The goal is to improve the quality of the family, social, school and interpersonal relationships of the students we serve.

WES clinicians are trained in Anger Coping, Think First, and CBITS (Cogitative Behavior Intervention for Trauma in Schools). Groups meet once per week, in school, typically during non-instructional time. Groups typically have 6-9 students. Groups meet for 10-15 weeks, based on the intervention.

Students are referred via, school staff, parents or self referral. Parents sign consent for services. The appropriate intervention is chosen. Pre and Post data is collected from parents and school staff. All information collected is stored in a data base which allows for the information to be assessed.

The groups are designed to assist students who have been impacted by trauma, and /or students who are verbally and/or physically aggressive towards peers and school staff. The strategies in the groups help the students to implement learned problem solving and coping skills which minimize negative consequences. As a result of participating in the services students should improve, academically, emotionally and psycho-socially.

For Additional Information Please Call 312-566-0700