School-based Therapy: JFS KidSuccess

Photos courtesy of Jewish Family Service

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Like most of the country, Colorado is experiencing a mental health crisis, particularly when it comes to children’s mental health. While multiple reasons are driving the crisis—lack of funding, increasing demand, and limited resources, to name a few—it’s vital that the trend is reversed, and youth mental health is prioritized. For the past 30 years, JFS’s school-based mental health program, KidSuccess, has been helping to combat this growing and concerning trend throughout the metro Denver area.

KidSuccess is an innovative program that places trained JFS therapists and graduate program interns in schools, providing youth with access to free, quality mental health counseling services. KidSuccess’ unique hands-on approach promotes a supportive school environment for students that fosters achievement, high self-esteem, resiliency, and personal responsibility. This academic year, KidSuccess has therapists in 21 schools, an increase from 16 schools last year.

JFS therapists join each school’s staff to support teachers, children, and their families. They use different modalities, such as play therapy, art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (more commonly known as EMDR) therapy, to help students address varying levels of traumatic experiences. It’s not an exaggeration to say that KidSuccess therapists are on the front lines, making a difference and providing the necessary resources for kids to heal!

“When we started therapy, this little girl struggled with trauma symptoms (anxiety, fear, nightmares, flashbacks),” shared one JFS therapist. “I had the privilege of working with her for two years, and at the end of treatment, I asked how she knew she was better. Her response was, ‘I no longer have nightmares, and I am not scared all the time.’”

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and is integral to overall health. The KidSuccess program addresses this need and prioritizes students’ overall mental health while reducing barriers to give them the best chance for success.

Learn more about JFS’s mental health programs at jewishfamilyservice.org/services/mental-health-services

About Jewish Family Service of Colorado

JFS is a nonprofit human services organization that serves anyone in need – regardless of their circumstances or religious beliefs. We believe in a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community. Founded 153 years ago, we currently offer more than 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, refugee resettlement, chaplaincy and Jewish Life, disability services, and aeroponic farming. JFS takes a holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family and provides the appropriate services all from one organization.