Say Yes Buffalo School-Based Preventive Program

“This grant provides Say Yes Buffalo with one year in gap funding to support the School-Based Preventive Program. Say Yes currently has Family Support Specialists (FSS) in all 55 Buffalo Public School buildings. The FSS provide 1:1 casework for students at risk of entering child welfare or juvenile justice systems and for students that require basic needs assistance. The overall intent of this program is to make sure that students with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges are identified early and connected to appropriate services. Students with chronically poor school attendance are most likely to be referred to the FSS program. Say Yes has increased access to service by bringing mental health clinics into 52 of 55 school buildings. These clinics address issues such as family conflict, anger or aggression, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and self-harming behaviors. The FSS serves as the primary point of referral to the mental health clinics in the school buildings.”