Teaneck
School-Based Youth Services Program
The FORUM…A Step in the Right Direction!
Presented by Nicholas Campestre, MSW, LCSW
FORUM Coordinator
What does F.O.R.U.M. stand
for?
The FORUM stands for:
Forging
 Opportunities for
 Reasoning
 Understanding and

 Maturity
Mission Statement

To inspire the positive emotional,
physical, social and academic
development of Teaneck residents aged
13-19 through comprehensive, easily
accessible services.
Mental Health Counseling
The FORUM offers group, individual and family
counseling. Student mediations and other crisis
intervention services.
All counseling services are free of charge and
confidential.
Mental Health Counseling
Utilization
7/1/12 – 6/05/13
Individual & Family Counseling
275 participants
948 sessions
Group Counseling
201 participants
124 Sessions
Mental Health Program
Outcomes

82 % of the students that participated
in a year long counseling group with
the FORUM showed an improvement
on the Adolescent Social Self Efficacy
Scale, that measures an adolescent’s
capability to deal with social
challenges.
Employment Enrichment
Program



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Employment assistance is available to all Teaneck residents
ages 13-19
Students may obtain jobs in the community.
Workshops on interviewing, resume writing, goal setting, and
other work-related skills are provided.
Vocational training programs are offered including babysitting
certification and lifeguard certification courses.
Employment Utilization

325 Participants

695 Sessions

186 Employment Placements
Clubs


Studio 2B – Grades 9 – 12, Partnership with the Girl Scouts of
Bergen County, a fully functional troop focuses on community
service, leadership development and self esteem building.
Members participated in Habitat for Humanity and Holiday
Food drives.
Animal Appreciation Club - Allows students the opportunity to
learn about both domestic and wild animals and the careers
associated with their care and preservation. The club will
provide students the opportunity to learn about animals by
sponsoring field trips and guest speakers. The importance of
conservation and safety with animals will be stressed.
Interact Club



The Interact Club is a youth service club run in
cooperation with the Teaneck Rotary for youth ages
14-18.
Interact has a membership of over 250,000 youth in
more than 11,000 clubs worldwide. It is one of the
Rotary’s fastest growing programs.
Student members work with the Teaneck Rotary to
carry out at least 2 service projects per year: 1 that
helps a school or community and 1 that promotes
international understanding.
Interact Club – Cont’d
Shelter
Our
Sisters
Feeding
the Needy
Bake
Sales
Leadership
Camp
Leadership Camp
ACE Mentoring Program
The ACE Mentor Program’s mission is to engage, excite and enlighten
high school students to pursue careers in the integrated construction
industry through mentoring; and to support their continued
advancement in the industry through grants and scholarships.
Industry professionals from the fields of architecture, interior design,
landscape architecture, and engineering volunteer to become
mentors to high school students in order to introduce them to their
professions and encourage them to pursue studies and careers in
these fields. Students are assigned to a design team and are guided
through a mock design project by their industry mentors. The
program has received positive feedback from students, parents and
staff members. In the three years the program has been conducted
in Teaneck 4 students have received scholarships through ACE.
Bergen ACES Marina
Floor Plan: First Floor
Site Plan
Academic Support
HOMEWORK CLUB

Held in the Cafeteria from 3:30-5:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays.

Students are given the opportunity to complete their homework
assignments under the supervision of assigned teachers and staff.

Refreshments will be served at the end of each session.

Computer access is available.

Tutoring is available to all Homework Club participants.
Academic Support
Tutoring

Tutoring is available Tuesday Wednesday, and Thursday starting at
3pm.

Tutoring may also be available before school, during lunch, and
during free periods.

Peer tutors receive community service hours.
Summer SAT Prep Program

Is a four week course that offers a family meeting pre and post
tests, and strategies to improve SAT scores.
Academic Support Utilization
363 Participants
513 Sessions
Summer SAT Prep
Outcomes

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
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Thirty four students were enrolled in the program
during July of 2012. Of the 34 students that were
enrolled, two students did not complete the
program (did not take the post test). Twenty six
(26) students showed an increase from their pretest scores to their post test scores. The following is
a breakdown of the score improvements:
10 students improved by 10 to 90 points,
6 students improved by 110 to 170 points
5 students improved by 200 to 270 points,
3 students improved by 330 and 370 points,
2 students improved by 420 and 440 points.
Presentations/Events/Other
Services

Boys to Men Empowerment Conference – Montclair
State University: Students had the opportunity to
participate in a powerful conference that focused on
leadership development, goal setting and empowerment.

Women’s Leadership Forum – Bergen Community
College: Students had the opportunity to participate in a
powerful conference that focused on leadership
development, goal setting and empowerment.
Presentations/Events/Other
Services

Mother Daughter Brunch: Students and their parents
attended a brunch that featured musical performances and
guest speakers. This touching event gave students and parents
a chance to spend quality time with each other and appreciate
the importance of child/parent communication.

Computer Lab: equipped with 11 computers that have internet
access, 2 printers (1 color) and a copy machine.
Recreation
Open Gym

Sponsored by The Teaneck Recreation Department and The
FORUM.

Open Gym is the opportunity for Teaneck High School students and
residents ages 13-19 to participate in basketball games or other
recreational activities.

Open Gym is located at the Cranford Gym at the High School.

Open Gym is offered Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday- 7:00 p.m.
-9:00 p.m.
Recreation
Free Trips offered with the Teaneck Recreation Department:

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New Jersey Nets (4)
Radio City Music Hall
Medieval Times
Great Adventure (2)
Mountain Creek (2)
Hurricane Harbor
New York Mets
FORUM Utilization Summary

1427 students registered for services as of 6/30/13

714 Participants - Report period: 7/1/12- 6/30/13

Event/Recreation Attendance 7/1/12- 6/30/13 11,951*
number is duplicative and reflects attendance at open
gym, FORUM computer lab and other
events/presentations.