Research shows that feeling emotionally safe in school is equally as important as feeling physically safe. Both are strong factors correlated with academic performance.  While there has been a lot of attention on physical safety, especially during Covid-19, more focus is needed on promoting social-emotional safety in the school setting. A child with an undiagnosed and untreated mental illness may not have the social-emotional competency to manage stressful events.

A student’s social-emotional development requires a collaborative effort that starts early in life and includes school staff, community, and parents.  Behavioral & Mental Health professionals are a key component but are inaccessible to too many. The Legal Kid Foundation has teamed up with mental health providers and agencies to bring awareness to behavioral and mental health and its effects on children and their families. The foundation will hold free to low-cost workshops (virtually and in-person) to help children with social-emotional issues at home, school, and in their communities. Location, time, format, and affordability will be considered in order to promote engagement and limit obstacles.