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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Leslie Goldman, MA, Joanne De Simone Eichel, MA, and Freya Kaufman, MA, CHES. Office of School Health Programs, The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 2128227265, lgoldman@nyam.org

New realities following the traumatic events of September 11, 2001 coupled with the ongoing mental and emotional health needs of youth in the New York City public schools call for long-range school-based preventive efforts to enhance children's ability to cope with stress and change, manage strong feelings, and be resilient in adversity. In response, the New York Academy of Medicine is implementing Moving from Crisis to Hope and Well-Being, a proactive, multidimensional approach to strengthening the well-being of school communities. The program addresses mental and emotional health promotion at school in support of literacy and academic achievement. The program supports the empowerment and resilience of school staff, students and families and emphasizes essential emotional health skills needed to cope with a wide range of life situations.

Assessments of Moving from Crisis to Hope and Well-Being by Teachers College, Columbia University indicate that multidimensional school-based activities and distinguishing features of the program that promote local ownership, encourage sustainable methods, focus on relatively simple objectives, and provide on-going technical and social support contributed to program success. The New York Academy of Medicine Office of School Health Programs has a demonstrated history of providing a wide array of comprehensive health education programs to the New York City public schools and was uniquely positioned to provide an effective, long-term program in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The Academy maintains a coalition of public and private funders to support comprehensive health education programs in New York City public schools.

Learning Objectives: