COVID Response

As together we face these challenging times, Counseling In Schools (CIS) is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our students and staff. We are continuing to provide emotional and social support to children, families and caregivers in need.

The severe impact of COVID-19 amplifies the need for our services to all members of the school community. With students confined to their homes and parents struggling to maintain an income, support from our trusted counselors is vital.

With only a matter of days to prepare, we have joined all of our school partners to create plans for the continuity of our essential services for thousands of students and families as they adjust to the City’s remote schooling program.

What We Are Doing

  • Our staff have received training in the educational platforms New York City public schools will be using to remotely teach and stay in contact with students.
  • We are conducting outreach and counseling sessions remotely to help children in schools and homeless shelters during this crisis.
  • Our youth workers, despite risk to their own health are in place at New York City Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) where families of essential City workers and first responders can drop off their children.
  • We are starting a new program to get food to children in need. While the City has been providing take-away meals at schools, many families are not getting this food because they are being told to stay inside. We are organizing and paying local grocery stores to deliver the food that families choose for themselves.

In this time of crisis and global uncertainty it has become more important than ever to help us support children in need. Counseling In Schools and our staff  are continuing to be on the frontlines, helping children and families during this difficult time, so that they can thrive in school and succeed in the future.

We will update this page periodically as the situation evolves.