The Extended Day / Year Program is an after-school program for foster children under the auspices of the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services. The program is an alternative for students who would otherwise engage in unsupervised, nonstructured activities. The program is designed to meet the needs of children ages 5-18 who are at risk of dropping out of school, victims of abuse, or involved in criminal activity due to an unstable home environment.
The program is housed at 683 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, New Jersey, operating from 4-6 p.m.Monday through Friday during the school year. In the summer, a six-week recreational program is provided between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Program objectives include: improvement in attendance, increased academic achievement, development of positive self esteem, increased social and self evaluative skills, and the development of life and parenting skills.
Transportation is provided year-round to and from the program.
The Homeless Education Program (HEP) is funded under the Stewart B.McKinney Vento Grants for The Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act. The HEP provides an array of supplemental educational services to address basic cognitive and self-help skills, supportive therapy, visual perceptual skills, and receptive and expressive development. Program services include tutoring, remedial, educational and enrichment opportunities; medical, dental, psychological and nutritional referral services; counseling services and referrals; recreational services; daily living skills; and service learning opportunities.
The program is offered at various times, forms and locations throughout Essex County, such as:
• Supplemental daytime instructional services for homeless pre-school students residing at an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.
• After school and evening programs for school age children residing in two shelters for victims of domestic violence in Belleville and Newark.
• A six week summer program for pre-school and school age children residing at the shelters, as well as for students identified by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.
Funded under the Migrant Education Act, the ERESC operates the Migrant Education Program (MEP) in 12 counties from Monmouth to Sussex. In addition to serving as a resource to the public, key components of the MEP program include:
• Access to a free, appropriate public and preschool education to children of migrant workers.
• The opportunity to meet identical state content and student performance standards as other children.
• Programs designed to help children overcome cultural and language barriers, social isolation, health issues and other problems that inhibit their natural abilities.
• Parent and school personnel involvement; establishment of local advisory councils; transfer of records and information; coordination with related programs and agencies.
• A comprehensive summer program with academic enrichment, recreations, arts and crafts, vision screening, educational and recreational trips.
The ERESC-SES (Supplemental Educational Services) program provides highly effective and research based tutoring services for K-12 students in the home, individual school, community center, or Commission facilities both after school and during summer months. The ERESC staff works with school staff to identify students with special needs (students with disabilities, English language learners, etc.). Interventions are diagnosed and prescribed by identifying student strengths and weaknesses via standardized tests and teacher assessment, Child Study Team evaluation, parent interviews, and environmental factors. ERESC staff develops a learning plan for each student and issues monthly progress reports.
ERESC-SES offers:
• Customized programs
• Flexible scheduling
• Small group instruction
• Highly effective and evidence based teaching methods
• Evidence based curriculum aligned with NJCCCS
• Student motivation system
• Highly qualified teachers
• Professional training
• Program assessment, evaluation and reporting
• Parent and school outreach
The Related Services Program provides rehabilitative services (occupational and physical therapy) to children in public and private schools throughout Northern New Jersey. With an average of 15 years experience, ERESC therapists work full and part-time in public and private schools dispensing occupational and physical therapy. Moreover, ERESC has developed clinical affiliations and relationships with numerous professional organizations and institutions to provide professional development and clinical education support.
Services provided by ERESC therapists include:
• Training school staff in activities and accommodations to be implemented throughout the student’s day.
• Observing and critically analyzing student performance and responses that prevent the student from benefiting from their educational program.
• Identifying, selecting, and adapting special materials and equipment.
• Collaborating and coordinating with teachers and families for necessary changes in instruction and in the learning environment.
• Consulting with students, parents and school staff.