(May 6, 2025) The Rochester City School District is proud to be recognized during Mental Health Awareness Month for its innovative approach to student wellness and support. As part of the What’s Great in Our State celebration, an annual event honoring outstanding efforts to promote children’s mental health, the RCSD will present its model, The Village Approach, today in Albany.
In collaboration with the University of Rochester Medical Center, The Village Approach has been developed to redefine how schools support the comprehensive needs of students. Leveraging funding from the Extended School Day Violence Prevention and NYS Office of Mental Health grants, this model brings school staff, families, and community organizations together on school campuses to provide wraparound services that address students’ academic, personal, and social-emotional needs, all in one place.
This collaborative framework removes barriers that often hinder student progress by ensuring that support is easily accessible and tailored to each learner. By building strong partnerships with families and community organizations, the District is actively cultivating more inclusive, equitable school environments where every student can thrive.
During today’s event, Crystal Clark, RCSD’s Executive Director of Student Support Services, and Dr. Melissa Heatley from the University of Rochester Medical Center, will share how the District’s tiered approach provides targeted resources to meet students where they are. Attendees will walk away with real-world strategies for implementing similar wraparound services, forming strong partnerships, and building a more inclusive, equitable school culture.
The event will also feature keynote speaker Dr. Ross Greene, a renowned clinical psychologist and former Harvard Medical School faculty member. His evidence-based model focuses on helping behaviorally challenged children through empathy and collaboration.
The District’s participation in this statewide celebration reflects its leadership in rethinking how schools support the whole child. As communities nationwide observe Mental Health Awareness Month, the District is proud to be at the forefront of this vital conversation.
