Summertime, when most schools are on break or a reduced schedule, is an important time to rest, restore and rejuvenate for students as well as teachers and support staff. But amidst the need to take a break exists the reality that support is still needed. Struggles, trauma and emotional challenges don't take time off. In many ways, summertime is for healing. In today's episode, we're doing by Wenimo Okoya, Ed.D., MPH, Founder of Healing Schools Project, to explore how connection, care and celebration with educators, school leaders and students remain vital all the time. Building and bridging opportunities for the entire school community will always be a year-round priority.

When it comes to ideas on counseling, it's important to understand and distinguish its meaning from different perspectives. Western or European ideas of counseling that connect to mental wellness, help and advice, insights and whole-self well-being, can be different from other cultures and communities that see emotional, social and mental development differently. In today's conversation, Executive Director Kevin Dahill-Fuchel helps explore this issue in-depth. Generational characteristics, cultural norms and community behaviors and expectations can shape how people perceive counseling and to what extent barriers exist in its application. As diverse as New York City school communities are, this is an important conversation to create stronger community connections.

When New York City schools shut down during the pandemic, it impacted well-being of students, families, schools and their communities. Counseling In Schools, already comfortable with expecting the unexpected, stayed connected to these relationships even while supporting its own people and productivity. Today Kevin Dahill-Fuchel explores the lessons and learnings this "pivot" manifested as Counseling In Schools prioritized people over problems - yet those problems became acute. Digital citizenry became essential. Safety, security and routine that are safe harbors for many during the school day were suddenly recalibrated. Even activities that help students grow, like movement, dance or music, required new outlets. And parents, caregivers and school staff required new levels of care and attention. Counseling In Schools remained among the partners in their lives that were constant and predictable. Learn how these experiences have helped shape our commitment to relationship building and community connections.