JFS KidSuccess: making sure youth have the support they need

May 9

We are currently in the middle of a mental health crisis, and it’s hitting youth hard. In the past year, 40% of youth experienced depression, and more than half reported feeling increased daily stress today compared to 2019. Colorado’s youth are 37% more likely to use drugs and 15% more likely to use alcohol than the average American youth. These statistics are alarming, and during National Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to share how JFS’s school-based mental health program, KidSuccess, is helping to combat this growing and concerning trend.

KidSuccess is an innovative program that places trained JFS therapists and graduate program interns in schools, providing children and adolescents with access to free quality mental health counseling services. KidSuccess’ unique hands-on approach promotes a supportive school environment for students that fosters achievement, high self-esteem, resiliency, and personal responsibility. Currently, we have therapists in 15 Denver Public Schools and one private school, and our therapists join each school’s staff to provide valuable support to teachers, children, and their families. JFS also has one psychiatrist who works between our partner schools.

Therapists use different modalities, such as play therapy, art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (more commonly known as EMDR) therapy, to help students address varying levels of traumatic experiences, including:

High-conflict divorce situations.
Peer relationships.
Suicidal ideation.
Depression.

With a waitlist in schools and needs continuing to increase, plans are in place to grow our internship program from three to six next academic year. Interns are enrolled in social work or various counseling programs and apply to participate in KidSuccess from schools across the metro area, such as Denver Seminary, University of Denver, and Regis University. During the academic year, each intern is assigned to a school, works 16 to 20 hours weekly, and has a caseload of five to 12 student clients each week. Upon graduation, most interns join the JFS team as full-time therapists. Because they are already familiar with the program, the transition is seamless, continuing the benefit for students.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and is integral to overall health. The KidSuccess program addresses the need and prioritizes students’ overall mental health while reducing barriers around mental health to give them the best chance for success.

Learn more about JFS’s mental health programs today.