The Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), the professional learning division of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), has announced the 26 schools that will be a part of its Healing-Centered Engagement initiative. Funded by grants in excess of $580,000, lead partners FEA and NJEA will create free programs, including training and coaching, to help teachers, administrators, staff, families and community groups in this diverse cohort of 26 schools to introduce a Healing-Centered Engagement model to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma.
ACEs are stressful or traumatic events, including abuse, neglect, household substance use, and parental separation, which affect children’s brain architecture and can have negative, lifelong effects on health and well-being. In addition to stressful or traumatic events, some children also face exposure to chronic, toxic stress from historical and ongoing traumas due to systemic racism and poverty. ACEs and trauma can inhibit a child’s ability to learn, develop language skills, create healthy attachments, and form relationships.
Below is a list of each of the schools that will participate in this healing-centered program:
HCE Schools |
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County |
District |
School |
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Burlington |
Delran |
Delran Middle School |
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BCSS |
Burlington County Special Services SD |
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Camden |
Bellmawr |
Bellmawr Early Childhood Center |
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Cumberland |
Bridgeton |
Dr. Geraldine Foster Early Childhood Center |
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West Avenue School |
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Fairfield Township |
Fairfield School |
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Millville |
Millville Child Family Center |
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Essex |
East Orange |
Patrick F. Healy Middle School |
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Newark |
Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School |
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Arts High School |
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Hudson |
Jersey City |
Anthony Infante Early Childhood Center PS #31 |
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Dr. Maya Angelou School PS #20 |
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Mercer |
Hamilton |
George E Wilson Elementary School |
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Trenton |
Trenton 9th Grade Academy |
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Robbins Elementary School |
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Hedgepeth/Williams Middle School of the Arts |
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Middlesex |
Carteret |
Columbus School |
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Monmouth |
Freehold Twp |
Early Childhood Learning Center |
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Morris |
Pequannock |
Pequannock High School |
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Ocean |
Ocean Gate |
Ocean Gate School |
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Passaic |
Passaic |
Roosevelt School #10 |
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Passaic High School |
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Paterson |
Full Service Community School. PS #2 |
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Alonzo Tambua Moody Academy |
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Somerset |
North Plainfield |
Somerset Intermediate School |
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Sussex |
Vernon |
Vernon High School |
In addition, the NJ Health Initiatives will provide $75,000 that will directly fund the Mental Health First Aid component of the project. As the lead agency and convener for the initiative, NJPSA/FEA will partner with NJEA, the Mental Health Association in NJ, the NJ Department of Education, the Office of Resilience in the NJ Department of the Children and Families, the Burke Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Princeton Area Community Foundation, and New Jersey Health Initiatives. Support and collaboration from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund will bolster our schools in these uniquely challenging times, and provide a foundation to strengthen our education system.
“We are eager to begin to work with school leaders from such a diverse group of schools on this critical initiative,” said Mary Reece, FEA’s Director of Special Projects. “Together, we look forward to identifying and assisting students and adults who are experiencing ACES and other mental health issues.”
Founded in 1985, FEA is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and the professional learning division of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), which has over 8,800 members statewide. FEA provides quality professional learning and coaching to educators to improve student achievement and engagement throughout New Jersey. Its mission is to promote sustained professional growth, support research-based practices, and enhance learning for leaders and teachers for the purposes of equity and continuous school improvement.
For more information, please contact Mary Reece, Director of Special Projects, at mreece@njpsa.org.