STRONG
Newcomer Behavioral Health Program

NY School-Based Health Foundation is pleased to announce funding granted by the New York Community Trust for a 2-year program to support School-Based Health Centers in serving newcomer students in the downstate region.

The program provides training and site-specific coaching for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other student-support roles in the use of an evidence-informed modality known as STRONG (Supporting Transition Resilience in Newcomer Groups). STRONG is a school-based intervention that focuses on building resilience and connection for immigrants and refugee students as they navigate adversity and trauma caused by migration and resettlement.

A video about STRONG and additional information is available here.

Training sessions for STRONG began in mid-September of 2024. Our school partners are currently inviting students to their first groups and moving forward with support from our coaches, program manager, and Subject Matter Expert. While we are not currently recruiting new providers, please let us know if your organization is interested in participating in future STRONG cohorts by contacting Sarah Miles, Program Manager, at Miles.Sarah@NYSBHFoundation.org.

On May 14th, 2024 we held an educational webinar focused on learning more about the STRONG program and the discussing the application process. You can download the webinar slideshow here.

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Program Staff

Program Manager

Sarah Miles, LMSW, MDes

Sarah is a social worker and designer with experience across the health, mental health, and community services fields — with a special focus on care for youth and their families. She now consults with professionals across New York, Michigan, and Illinois to design and implement programs in health and social services, using community-centered approaches to reimagine how care is provided in our society.

Sarah started her career in grassroots program development in international and local contexts, helping implement programs with communities across various health and social topics. She then moved to New York to attend Columbia University’s School of Social Work and specialized in mental health programs for youth and families. After years as a case manager, therapist, and school mental health consultant and trainer, she decided to focus on building stronger health systems and studied design at the University of Michigan focused on trauma-informed and community-based approaches to program design. Since 2020 she has consulted with government, nonprofit, and technology sectors, finding new ways to address some of the most urgent needs within our communities. She currently also works with the University of Michigan to inform health research and policy.

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Subject Matter Expert

Scott Bloom, LCSW-R

Scott Bloom, LCSW, will be advising the STRONG program and providing training and technical assistance as our subject matter expert. Our NYC members know Scott as the founding Director of School Mental Health Services for the New York City Department of Education where he served for 15 years, facilitating partnerships with non-profit organizations and implementing mental health initiatives in over 1,800 city schools. Currently, Scott serves as the Director of Special Projects and Initiatives at the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center (NYPCC).

Mr. Bloom has spent his 34-year career at the intersection of mental health, communities, and schools working to improve access to social-emotional services and resources by integrating these programs, creating opportunities for children and youth to overcome emotional and behavioral barriers to academic achievement. In addition, Scott lends his expertise by serving on advisory boards for cities, state, and
national mental health initiatives around the
country.

STRONG Newcomer Behavioral Health Program

Program Staff

STRONG
Newcomer Behavioral Health Program