Counseling & Social-Emotional Learning [SEL] Resources

CRS Social Emotional Learning Library Titles - The counseling office at CRS is home to a large and ever-growing Social Emotional Learning Library, thanks to the CRS PTA and FLEF over the years.  The library houses mostly children's books, but I also have several resource texts for teachers and parents.  You are welcome to borrow any of these titles at any time throughout the year.

Coping Skills Toolbox - a HUGE assortment of techniques and resources for coping with ANYTHING 

Learning for Justice - Learning for Justice is a wonderful website and resource for Character Education lessons and ideas on how to increase acceptance and celebration of everyone's differences.

Class Dojo - This site offers short, funny videos related to topics such as Growth Mindset, Mindfulness, Empathy and more.  They are appropriate and educational for students in grades K-5 and beyond.  Mrs. Ballas herself enjoys them very much! :)

Digital Citizenship - Common Sense Media - Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Zones of Regulation - Zones is a systematic, cognitive behavioral approach used to teach self-regulation by categorizing all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete colored zones.  The Zones framework provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, manage their sensory needs, and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts.  

Mindfulness Resources

• GoNoodle - Videos to get you into the "right" state of mind for you!  Move with purpose:  Boost productivity.  Improve behavior. Build community.

• Mindful.org - mindful: healthy mind, healthy life

• Simply type in "Mindfulness for Kids" and you will have adorable guided meditations to do at home!

Positive Communication - Using an I-Message to express how you are feeling will typically get the job done!  Be sure to maintain eye contact, use the person's name and speak in an assertive (not aggressive or passive) tone of voice.  If you hear someone using an I-Message, be sure to listen and respect their feelings. 

Community Resources

PerformCare - NJ Children's System of Care 1-877-652-7624 This is the main point of contact for all systems of care for children and families in NJ.  All services are voluntary.  A care coordinator will speak with you to assess what services can be best utilized by your family.  

Psychology Today - Find a therapist that is right for you, your child and your family.

Family Support Organization of Bergen County - 201-796-6209

Department of Children and Families - Hotlines/Helplines 1-877-NJABUSE

West Bergen Mental Health - West Bergen is committed to meeting the psychological needs of our clients with sensitivity and responsive, innovative services at the highest possible standard. We strive to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve… one life at a time.

CarePlus - Provides comprehensive, recovery-focused integrated primary and mental health care and substance abuse rehabilitation services. Our outpatient services are offered on a voluntary outpatient basis to adults and children at a total of 49 sites, including three outpatient centers (Paramus, Fair Lawn, and Hasbrouck Heights), ten residential facilities, offices at three local hospitals, and seven community offices, all located throughout Northern New Jersey.

Division of Family Guidance - The Bergen County Division of Family Guidance provides clinical, residential, educational, correctional, case management, and monitoring services to at-risk children, adolescents, and families, particularly those who are otherwise unable to receive needed services. It is Bergen County's resource for youth and families in need.

Bergen Resource Net - BergenResourceNet is an on-line directory of Bergen County’s many valuable resources. It is for all community members to use as a way to locate local resources (events, programs, webinars, services, professional development, industry news) geared toward family wellbeing.  

Bergen's Promise - Bergen County's community-based care management services for children with serious behavioral health, substance abuse, or developmental issues and their families.

Child Mind Institute — An independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Under their "For Families" tab, you will find a Symptom Checker to use should you become worried about your child's mental health.  There are also interesting and informative articles about a variety of child development topics.  Definitely worth a look for all parents! 

Help Yourself Help Others — A quick and simple way to take an anonymous mental health screening.

Parenting Resources

How to Raise an Upstander

Experts share how parents can teach their children to stand up for others, especially bullied kids.

30 Little Things That Mean a Lot to Kids

Parents.com