Jewish Family Service
INTERNATIONAL KIDSUCCESS PROGRAM Over the last decade the number of refugee children attending Denver metro area schools has grown tremendously. While newcomers bring new languages, cultures, and valuable perspectives to their schools, they often face challenges related to their adjustment to a new culture and school system. For many years International KidSuccess Program has addressed the needs of refugee children through a successful collaboration with local schools. IKS has partnered with Merrill Middle School for more than 6 years. An over-arching goal of the program is to provide refugee children with support through the major life transition of immigration so that, ideally, they are better able to focus on and succeed in school. Last academic year IKS provided services to more than 140 ELA students. Cultural adjustment groups were provided for about 100 ELA students (6th and 8th grade). Newcomer Center Groups were provided for about 20 students. 13 students were outreached though our Leadership Group. 14 students received individual counseling. IKS SCHOOL BASED SERVICES AT MERRILL MIDDLE SCHOOLINCLUDE:
Group Interventions
Adjustment Groups for 6th grade ELA students conducted by IKS interns. Adjustment groups consist of psycho-educational as well as psychotherapeutic activities and interventions geared towards facilitating students’ adjustment to life in the United States. Overall goals of the adjustment groups include: enhancing social support systems and building effective coping skills. Newcomer Center Groups are conducted by IKS staff and interns. They provide a safe space for Newcomer students to express themselves and to explore their feelings and experiences through non verbal activities and art projects. . Leadership Group for 8th grade ELA students is conducted by IKS interns. The Leadership Group is comprised of refugee, immigrant, and American students. The goal of the group is to help students enhance their communication and problem solving skills, constructively express their thoughts and feelings, make responsible decisions and build leadership skills within culturally diverse peer group. Peer Helpers Program for 7th grade ELA students has been developed by International KidSuccess this academic year and will be implemented by Ralitsa Ranova, IKS staff and Judith Lev, Merrill Middle School Social Worker. Peer Helpers group consist of culturally and linguistically diverse middle school students who are trained to help newcomers from different cultures. Peer Helpers act as “buddies” to the new students and provide a tour of the school, explain expectations, rules and welcome new students to the school. Individual Interventions IKS staff also provides Individual Counseling to refugee students. Referrals for students in need of individual counseling originate from teachers, school counselors, social workers and administrative staff, as well as the mental health therapist leading Adjustment Groups.
SERVICES AT MERRILL MIDDLE SCHOOL ARE PROVIDED BY: Ralitsa Ranova, LCSW, Ph.D. Elizabeth Bogetveit, MA Candidate Smrity Maskey, MA Candidate |