This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
by Maiken Scott for NewsWorks
For Philadelphia public school students with behavioral health issues such as depression or ADHD, the first days of school might bring some anxiety and challenges. Ten of the 24 schools that were closed down had in-house therapy programs for kids, who now will receive services in their new schools.
Roxy Woloszyn from the advocacy organization Public Citizens for Children and Youth says students will continue to receive the services despite budget cuts and school closings, but therapists are expecting some difficulties.
"There is always that normal, beginning-of-school-year confusion, even without that whole bunch of children who have gone to new schools," she said. "The providers are pretty well prepared to deal with that, and to adapt quickly, to insure that children get the support that they need."
Some children arriving at new schools will have different provider agencies for their services; others will have the same agencies and, perhaps, the same therapists.