As part of the Voorheesville Central School District’s mission to provide a safe and supportive learning environment, the district will add the Second Step program to its grades K-8 curriculum during the 2023-24 school year.
Voorheesville will use funds provided by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to pay for the program. VCSD applied for and received approval for a grant expressly set aside for training and curriculum to enhance the capacity to be trauma-responsive. One option available through OMH is the Second Step program.
The Second Step program is professionally designed to help educators teach students about behavioral self-management skills and problem-solving while also improving their self-confidence.
“Second Step programs are designed to help children thrive and be more successful in school—ultimately setting them up to be thoughtful and productive adults,” according to the Second Step website.
Second Step resources for families and caregivers: