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United Way Kicks Off New Program to Help Teachers Help Troubled Preschoolers
October 20, 2006

Kicking.  Throwing chairs.  Screaming.  Biting. According to several of United Way's partner child care centers, these are the kinds of disturbing behaviors that a growing number of preschoolers are exhibiting. These behaviors are not just children acting out; they are often signs of more serious issues.  Left unaddressed, developmental issues can occur, leading to continued problems for the child, as well as those around them in the school systems.

Child care staff often attempt to help troubled preschoolers during their stressful outbursts, but find that they cannot reach them with traditional methods of empathy and discipline.  Local child care centers have turned to United Way to help them serve troubled preschoolers, whose behavior often leads to termination from centers, a negative self-image, and a label of "difficult" before they even reach kindergarten.

In response, United Way has developed a new program in partnership with Youth Consultation Service (YCS) to address the needs of troubled preschoolers in Morris County. The Preschool Mental Health Initiative provides intensive staff training and skill-building in early childhood development and mental health for 25 select child care staff.  In addition, it will provide on-site mental health intervention support at child care centers for children with disruptive behaviors.

The Preschool Mental Health Initiative offered its first training series to 25 preschool teachers from United Way partner child care centers on Friday, October 13, 2006.  During the training series, which will continue through December 2006, YCS will offer invaluable information and training for teachers to help them better manage children with severe behavioral issues.

For more information on the Preschool Mental Health Initiative, email Kathy Kwasnik or call 973.993.1160, x130.