Guest guest Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Fred,I think that's a good point, as mental health models and counseling models do not always seek to address the same problems, symptoms, etc. Even though I draw upon my experience working with children in outpatient psychiatry, there are many times I can not really address the mental health issues that are evident with the students I see purely because I am in a school setting instead of a clinic. As this discussion continues, I think it's amazing just how many different types of programs provide services to students in the city in some capacity or another. I also find it interesting that you describe a mental health clinic inside a school, as I usually think of the small schools that exist to serve children in hospitals on inpatient units, the reverse situation I suppose. -Jonathon Borah Jonathon, I wonder if we can provide better services to children in schools if we are NOT employed by the school system. I am a drama therapist working in a hospital-run mental health clinic that is located inside of a middle school. One of the benefits of working for a hospital in a School Support Program is that I can serve the mental health needs of the children rather than the agenda of the school administration. Another benefit is that I get supervision and support from the other hospital staff with whom I work in the school. Since I am working for a hospital, my CAT license is fully recognized. I suggest that CATs who want to help children in New York City schools get themselves hired by School Support Programs/School-Based Health Centers that hospitals run inside of schools. Fred Landers Re: Art Therapy within school system > >I think that part of the issue is about wanting to work in a school setting >with students, in which case there seem to be a lot of programs that are >contracted by the Board of Ed to provide services in schools and which >certainly provide opportunities for art therapists. The other part is >wanting the job security and excellant benefits that comes from working >directly for the Board of Ed and the fact that social workers and counselors >are eligible for those jobs but we are not, despite the level of training >and competence that goes along with our credentials. At least I mean that >with respect to the professionals providing clinical services because I am >not trying to imply that I am qualified to help with programming students' >schedules and the more specialized functions of guidance staff. >-Jonathon > > >> >> I just wanted to offer some of my experience in regards to the above. >> I have been working at PS 188 as a creative arts therapist since 2002. >> I came in through Project Liberty (Post 9/11 funds) and then was kept >> on through the Sports and Arts Foundation and still currently am >> funded by them. The reason I am there at all is because the principal >> is very motivated to have great programs at the school. (We also have >> a professional drummer/psychologist who does drumming with the kids >> weekly.) She's been in the system for over 35 years and knows the >> ropes. That said, she she wants me to come in as a substitute teacher >> (though that is not exactly what I do), but so the funds do come from >> Board of Ed. >> All of this to say that you need to think out of the box. If you are >> really motivated to come into the schools you can either work for >> Counseling in the Schools or I would suggest to write up a proposal to >> your desired school and perhaps inquire with the powers that be as to >> possible funding sources. >> The downside is that I do not get onsite supervision which is really a >> huge issue. I do lots of informal " peer supervision " with colleagues, >> but that is not enough. I also, through the years, have less and less >> space. (I went from having a huge art room to now having a " roaming " >> art supply closet that I bring to other spaces.) >> It would be amazing to have something like Counseling in the Schools >> but for creative arts therapies. >> Anyway, I hope this is useful. >> Peace, >> Tara Mooney, MA >> (LCAT Pending) >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Up here in the Hudson Valley (Duchess and Ulster Counties) there are many 'mental health clinics' within the schools. These are branches of the local mental health centers and are put in the schools because it is often the only way these children can be served. There is very poor public transportation outside NYC and parents often have a hard time getting their kids to appointments when they are in free standing clinics outside of the schools. At this point CATs do not get positions as clinicians inside these programs. It is all social workers and psychologists. Walters Re: Art Therapy within school system>>I think that part of the issue is about wanting to work in a school setting>with students, in which case there seem to be a lot of programs that are>contracted by the Board of Ed to provide services in schools and which>certainly provide opportunities for art therapists. The other part is>wanting the job security and excellant benefits that comes from working>directly for the Board of Ed and the fact that social workers and counselors>are eligible for those jobs but we are not, despite the level of training>and competence that goes along with our credentials. At least I mean that>with respect to the professionals providing clinical services because I am>not trying to imply that I am qualified to help with programming students'>schedules and the more specialized functions of guidance staff.>-Jonathon>>On 2/29/08, Tara Mooney <yayamoon9> wrote:>>>> I just wanted to offer some of my experience in regards to the above.>> I have been working at PS 188 as a creative arts therapist since 2002.>> I came in through Project Liberty (Post 9/11 funds) and then was kept>> on through the Sports and Arts Foundation and still currently am>> funded by them. The reason I am there at all is because the principal>> is very motivated to have great programs at the school. (We also have>> a professional drummer/psychologist who does drumming with the kids>> weekly.) She's been in the system for over 35 years and knows the>> ropes. That said, she she wants me to come in as a substitute teacher>> (though that is not exactly what I do), but so the funds do come from>> Board of Ed.>> All of this to say that you need to think out of the box. If you are>> really motivated to come into the schools you can either work for>> Counseling in the Schools or I would suggest to write up a proposal to>> your desired school and perhaps inquire with the powers that be as to>> possible funding sources.>> The downside is that I do not get onsite supervision which is really a>> huge issue. I do lots of informal "peer supervision" with colleagues,>> but that is not enough. I also, through the years, have less and less>> space. (I went from having a huge art room to now having a "roaming">> art supply closet that I bring to other spaces.)>> It would be amazing to have something like Counseling in the Schools>> but for creative arts therapies.>> Anyway, I hope this is useful.>> Peace,>> Tara Mooney, MA>> (LCAT Pending)>>>> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Hey Fred, This is great advice. Do you know where I could look for these programs? Cheers, Rees, MA Drama Therapist > >> > >> I just wanted to offer some of my experience in regards to the above. > >> I have been working at PS 188 as a creative arts therapist since 2002. > >> I came in through Project Liberty (Post 9/11 funds) and then was kept > >> on through the Sports and Arts Foundation and still currently am > >> funded by them. The reason I am there at all is because the principal > >> is very motivated to have great programs at the school. (We also have > >> a professional drummer/psychologist who does drumming with the kids > >> weekly.) She's been in the system for over 35 years and knows the > >> ropes. That said, she she wants me to come in as a substitute teacher > >> (though that is not exactly what I do), but so the funds do come from > >> Board of Ed. > >> All of this to say that you need to think out of the box. If you are > >> really motivated to come into the schools you can either work for > >> Counseling in the Schools or I would suggest to write up a proposal to > >> your desired school and perhaps inquire with the powers that be as to > >> possible funding sources. > >> The downside is that I do not get onsite supervision which is really a > >> huge issue. I do lots of informal " peer supervision " with colleagues, > >> but that is not enough. I also, through the years, have less and less > >> space. (I went from having a huge art room to now having a " roaming " > >> art supply closet that I bring to other spaces.) > >> It would be amazing to have something like Counseling in the Schools > >> but for creative arts therapies. > >> Anyway, I hope this is useful. > >> Peace, > >> Tara Mooney, MA > >> (LCAT Pending) > >> > >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 This sounds fabulous...a very intelligent and effective idea! I've never heard of having this hospital-school set-up. I hope that this becomes more common in NYC schools as I would be interested in this type of position. It seems like a difficult proposition to set up and coordinate in a school, considering how bureaucratic hospitals tend to be. Just a side note~ nne Jonathon,I wonder if we can provide better services to children in schools if we are NOT employed by the school system. I am a drama therapist working in a hospital-run mental health clinic that is located inside of a middle school. One of the benefits of working for a hospital in a School Support Program is that I can serve the mental health needs of the children rather than the agenda of the school administration. Another benefit is that I get supervision and support from the other hospital staff with whom I work in the school. Since I am working for a hospital, my CAT license is fully recognized. I suggest that CATs who want to help children in New York City schools get themselves hired by School Support Programs/School-Based Health Centers that hospitals run inside of schools. Fred Landers Re: Art Therapy within school system>>I think that part of the issue is about wanting to work in a school setting>with students, in which case there seem to be a lot of programs that are >contracted by the Board of Ed to provide services in schools and which>certainly provide opportunities for art therapists. The other part is>wanting the job security and excellant benefits that comes from working >directly for the Board of Ed and the fact that social workers and counselors>are eligible for those jobs but we are not, despite the level of training>and competence that goes along with our credentials. At least I mean that >with respect to the professionals providing clinical services because I am>not trying to imply that I am qualified to help with programming students'>schedules and the more specialized functions of guidance staff. >-Jonathon>>>>>> I just wanted to offer some of my experience in regards to the above. >> I have been working at PS 188 as a creative arts therapist since 2002.>> I came in through Project Liberty (Post 9/11 funds) and then was kept>> on through the Sports and Arts Foundation and still currently am >> funded by them. The reason I am there at all is because the principal>> is very motivated to have great programs at the school. (We also have>> a professional drummer/psychologist who does drumming with the kids >> weekly.) She's been in the system for over 35 years and knows the>> ropes. That said, she she wants me to come in as a substitute teacher>> (though that is not exactly what I do), but so the funds do come from >> Board of Ed.>> All of this to say that you need to think out of the box. If you are>> really motivated to come into the schools you can either work for>> Counseling in the Schools or I would suggest to write up a proposal to >> your desired school and perhaps inquire with the powers that be as to>> possible funding sources.>> The downside is that I do not get onsite supervision which is really a>> huge issue. I do lots of informal " peer supervision " with colleagues, >> but that is not enough. I also, through the years, have less and less>> space. (I went from having a huge art room to now having a " roaming " >> art supply closet that I bring to other spaces.) >> It would be amazing to have something like Counseling in the Schools>> but for creative arts therapies.>> Anyway, I hope this is useful.>> Peace,>> Tara Mooney, MA>> (LCAT Pending) >>>> >> -- nne BSW, Prospective MPS of Creative Arts TherapyPratt Institute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Hello all, To add to the CATs in schools discussion, I thought I would relate my experience as a CAT working in a public school. I work for Graham Windham, a non profit, in their School Based Mental Health Program housed in PS 30, an elementary school. It is funded by the state Office of Mental Health and exists in that school in part because of the principal's desire and donation of space. There are a number of School Based programs funded by OMH through different organizations in the city which are using or moving toward a clinic model. These organizations can hire CATS and provide job security and benefits. I agree with other posters about the advantage of NOT being hired by the board of ed. Social workers counseling students through the board of ed only work with students who are designated special ed (with IEPs, Individualized education plans). We work with whatever students have been referred and have consent. It is also worth noting that the board of ed hiring is limited by the IDEA program which is a national policy for special ed support. AATA has been active in lobbying for inclusion in support services for special ed students (without success so far). Gibbons ATR-BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Hi , Thanks so much for your input as I would very much love to work in a school. I hope you don't mind if I ask you a few other questions. Did you have to take civil service exam? Would you mind telling me what your job title or job line is? Lastly, besides the OMH website do you know another resource for finding school-based jobs? Thanks, Rees, MA > > Hello all, > To add to the CATs in schools discussion, I thought I would relate my > experience as a CAT working in a public school. I work for Graham > Windham, a non profit, in their School Based Mental Health Program > housed in PS 30, an elementary school. It is funded by the state > Office of Mental Health and exists in that school in part because of > the principal's desire and donation of space. > There are a number of School Based programs funded by OMH through > different organizations in the city which are using or moving toward a > clinic model. These organizations can hire CATS and provide job > security and benefits. > I agree with other posters about the advantage of NOT being hired by > the board of ed. Social workers counseling students through the board > of ed only work with students who are designated special ed (with > IEPs, Individualized education plans). We work with whatever students > have been referred and have consent. It is also worth noting that the > board of ed hiring is limited by the IDEA program which is a national > policy for special ed support. AATA has been active in lobbying for > inclusion in support services for special ed students (without success > so far). > Gibbons ATR-BC > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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