Kathy & Rebecca

Kathy, a mom whose daughter, Rebecca, attends a New York City public school in Queens, first learned about the School-Based Early Support program (SBES) while attending a community health workshop.

Since our founding in 1953, The Child Center of NY has recognized a simple truth: Children do not grow in isolation. They thrive when their families are supported and their communities are strong. That belief has guided our work for more than seven decades—and it is the foundation of SBES, funded by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services and NYC Public Schools.

Today, The Child Center proudly serves students and families at 12 elementary and middle schools through SBES. Kathy and Rebecca’s family is one of them.

Concerned that Rebecca was struggling with anxiety, Kathy was glad to learn about SBES at the community health workshop and reached out to see if our team could help. Family Coordinator Maira Sinchi connected the family to the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center Jackson Heights Clinic (NYPCC), where Rebecca began weekly outpatient therapy. Just four months later, Rebecca's anxiety had improved so significantly that she was discharged from treatment.

At the same time, Ms. Maira met with the family at home and at school twice monthly, helping Kathy strengthen her relationship with Rebecca through parenting strategies and motivational interviewing techniques. Together, they built new ways to communicate, solve problems, and support Rebecca's emotional well-being.

Nearly a year later, the changes continue to benefit them both. Rebecca has learned to manage her emotions more effectively with skills that she can use in the future. Kathy says she has developed healthier communication and a stronger relationship with her daughter through therapy and Ms. Maira's guidance.

The support extended beyond mental health. The family continues to receive assistance through The Child Center's food pantry in Corona, along with seasonal clothing and other essentials. Ms. Maira also connected the family with Learn To Be tutoring services to enhance her academics and keep her active during the summer.

Equally important, SBES gave Kathy and Rebecca something less tangible but no less meaningful: a sense of community. One of their favorite memories is an SBES family trip to Coney Island, where they enjoyed rides and spent time with other families walking similar paths.

Although the family's formal participation in SBES has ended, Kathy appreciates the program’s open-door policy. She continues to see The Child Center as a trusted place to turn whenever her family needs support.

“Kathy and Rebecca will always hold a special place in my heart,” says Ms. Maira. "As a family coordinator, I enjoy working with families because I can support them through the many challenges they face. Connecting this family to resources that included mental health, virtual tutoring, food security, and seasonally appropriate clothing improved their lives tremendously—especially Rebecca’s. She was able to build healthy coping mechanisms through therapy, which made a positive difference in her life and the family’s lives as a whole. Paying attention to children’s mental health and overall well-being helped them to have a better chance of reaching their goals. Knowing that I can help families connect to the support they need and make a positive difference in their lives is why I enjoy the work that I do.”