10/08/2026
Schools may be the first places where we see a young person struggling, but they should not be the only place where we respond.
In a new op-ed for New York Amsterdam News, Deborah Giordano, VP of our Inwood House division, and Warren Kent , SVP for community-based services, make the case for mental health support that doesn't end at the school bell. They see a clear gap. Three-quarters of New York City public schools do not meet the recommended staffing ratio for social workers.
Their answer? A continuum of care that reaches youth in their schools, homes, families and communities. At The Children's Village, Inwood House staff work in more than 34 NYC middle and high schools, combining classroom education, small-group conversations and individual counseling so that youth are surrounded by adults who know them and can connect them to help early.
The authors also call on city and state leaders to:
Invest in more school-based clinicians
Fund community-based organizations that embed staff in schools and sustain relationships beyond school
Provide sustained support for prevention, early intervention and family engagement
For Deb and Warren, the question isn't whether schools or community organizations are responsible. "The answer, actually, is both."
Read the full op-ed:
Children need mental healthcare beyond school hours. New York must expand support systems for youth wellbeing.
