Behavioral Pre-School Education Services
Staten Island Mental Health (SIMH), a division of Richmond University Medical Center, provides enhanced services to children at all four of our Head Start locations. All of our sties are licensed by OPWDD as Article 16 clinic locations and by OMH as Article 31 clinic sites, and are under the auspices of SIMH’s Pouch Center. Through our Article 16 license, our clinical staff provides developmental speech, PT and OT screenings, as well as follow-up therapies to children identified as in need of these services. If indicated, we can complete CPSE evaluations and/or a full array of psychological testing services. Our professional social workers provide ongoing counseling to children, including trauma focused services when needed. Our developmental services receive supplemental support from the Robin Hood Foundation and from NYC DOHMH Thrive for early childhood mental health and consultation services. Our social workers have been trained in evidence based treatments and practices such as CPP (Child Parent Psychotherapy), Triple P Parenting, Trauma Focused CBT and the Georgetown Model of Early Childhood Consultation for pre-schools. Under the Georgetown Model, staff work directly with teachers in the classrooms to develop strategies that promote positive learning/behavioral environments. By offering these enhanced services, we have seen positive social/emotional as well as developmental outcomes needed for kindergarten readiness.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event of a psychiatric emergency, call 9-1-1.
Preschool Services / Early Head Start/ Head Start
Preschool programs are available for children ages 2 to 4 from families that meet mandated income guidelines. Children will develop intellectual and social skills guided by a nationally recognized curriculum, further enriched by cultural and technological resources. Children also receive mental health, medical, and social services, while parents are offered a wide range of support services.
Head Start – The First Head Start Program on Staten Island
Staten Island’s first Head Start program is also the first Head Start program in the country provided through the support and administration of a full-service hospital. Head Start promotes school readiness for children ages two to five from low-income families.
About the Curriculum
Head Start begins preparing children for kindergarten from the time they enter the program until graduation day. Head Start uses a research-based curriculum called High Scope. High Scope’s active learning model provides inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities, allowing children at all levels to succeed.
Along with the High Scope curriculum, Head Start utilizes an ongoing assessment tool called the Child Observation Record, or COR. This COR data is analyzed three times per year by our School Readiness Team to assess the trends in our schools. This approach allows the team to review the data to ensure the Common Core standards and key developmental indicators, along with the Head Start framework, are met in the classrooms.
Family Engagement
Our program takes great pride in its ability to connect with parents by engaging them with their child’s education as well as empowering them to be the best advocates possible for themselves and their children. It is done through the unique way of forming a partnership with the entire family, including:
- Group work with a focus on parenting skills, stress management, and crisis intervention
- A dedicated women’s empowerment group
- A dedicated men’s group
- Workshops with speakers on mental health, special educational needs, nutrition, housing, immigration, legal issues, and child abuse prevention
- The opportunity to enroll in ESL and/or GED classes
We know that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. School Readiness Teams are also formed comprising parents and program staff who review educational outcomes and implement strategies to assure that the highest quality of services is provided.
How to Get Started
The Head Start program is offered at four locations in Staten Island:
| Dongan Hills Center 44 Dongan Hills Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306 (718)-987-7755 | Kingsley Center 10 Kingsley Pl, Staten Island, NY 10301 (718)-442-6680 |
| Osgood Center 16 Osgood Ave, Staten Island, NY 10304 718-420-6138 | Port Richmond Day Nursery Center 166 Lockman Ave, Staten Island, NY 10303 (718)-494-0400 |
