School-based Behavioral Health Program

At Franciscan Children’s, we strongly believe in providing children and adolescents with convenient access to top-notch and accessible care for their behavioral health issues.

Our school-based behavioral health program, known as the Children's Wellness Initiative (CWI), offers behavioral health services directly to children within certain schools in the Boston area. Our CWI clinicians are fully embedded in each school, working alongside the school community. This approach helps to reduce the stigma some people apply to mental health challenges.

The CWI program's school-based behavioral health services prioritize overall wellness by delivering personalized care that involves families, teachers, pediatricians, and other important caregivers.

Related Links

Services

School-Based and Summer Counseling Services

We understand that each student has unique needs that encompass a range of emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. To address these needs, we create personalized treatment plans for each student, which may involve individual or group counseling, family therapy, and guidance for parents.

During the summer months, our clinicians arrange to meet with students at their homes or camp locations to ensure continuity of services.

A distinctive aspect of our program is the inclusion of a child psychiatrist, who can conduct further evaluations of a student’s emotional and behavioral issues. When necessary, the psychiatrist and parents or caregivers can discuss the potential benefits of psychiatric treatment and medications. Ongoing follow-up treatment at the school is provided as part of the service and is covered by insurance.

There may be instances where a student experiences an emotional or mental health crisis requiring additional interventions. In such cases, our CWI staff are available to assist the students, their families, and the schools. Our staff manages immediate crises by teaching coping strategies and identifying supports to prevent future crisis situations.

Each student’s teacher receives continuous consultation to help them understand and address emotional, social, and family-related factors that may impact their students. This partnership connects academic achievements to the emotional well-being of each student, supporting students, school staff, and families.

To participate in the CWI program, students must attend one of our participating schools. Parents, caregivers, or teachers can refer a student for counseling services if they exhibit concerning emotional or social behaviors. The parent, caregiver, or teacher can contact the school’s site manager to schedule an intake session, with parent or guardian consent. Following the session, a diagnosis and counseling plan are determined.

Payment for services is managed through the student’s health insurance plan. Our CWI therapists work to obtain insurance authorization before beginning treatment. Depending on the insurance, a co-payment may be necessary. All services are provided regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Staff Qualifications

Overview

In every school program, there is a designated site manager who is a licensed clinician. This site manager acts as a bridge between the students, parents or caregivers, and the school. These clinicians have experience in working with children and teenagers to identify their needs and create effective plans to address them. Additionally, a child psychiatrist collaborates with students and their families within the school environment to conduct medication evaluations when necessary.

Our team is dedicated to offering culturally sensitive services, and we provide interpreter services at no charge to ensure effective communication.

Schools We Serve

All Schools

  • Melvin H. King South End Academy (3 sites) | Gr. K-12 | Boston
  • Sarah Greenwood School | Gr. K-8 | Dorchester
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt School | Gr. K-8 | Hyde Park
  • Mildred Avenue School | Gr. K-8 | Mattapan
  • Higginson-Lewis School | Gr. 3-8 | Roxbury
  • Jeremiah Burke High School | Gr. 7-12 | Dorchester
  • F. Lyman Winship Elementary School | Gr. K-5 | Brighton
  • Thomas Edison School | Gr. K-8 | Brighton
  • Boston Green Academy | Gr. 6-12 | Brighton
  • Brighton High School | Gr. 7-12 | Brighton
  • Blackstone Elementary School | Gr. K-5 | South End
  • Rafael Hernandez School | Gr. K-8 | Roxbury
  • Young Achievers of Math and Science | Gr. K-8 | Mattapan
  • Joseph Lee | Gr. K-8 | Dorchester
  • Dr. William W. Henderson | Gr. K-12 | Dorchester
  • St. John Paul | Gr. Pre-K-8 | Dorchester
  • St. Columbkille | Gr. Pre-K-8 | Brighton

For more information, please contact

Kristan Bagley Jones
LICSW, Senior Director of Community Programs at 617-254-3800, ext. 3040 or
KBagley-Jones@franciscanchildrens.org

Get In Touch

Visit Us

We are here to help. Visit us at 30 Warren Street, Brighton, MA, minutes from the Mass Pike, Commonwealth Avenue, and the Longwood Medical Area.

Contact Us

We want to hear from you! Reach us by calling 617-254-3800 or fill out our contact form. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911.

Support Us

Your support can change a child’s life. Learn ways you can make an impact the lives of our patients and students today.