Baldwin, NY – Youth mental health is a crisis nationwide. Many are struggling to manage the stress and complications of everyday life. Studies show that students who are healthy both physically and mentally are more likely to excel in all aspects of academic achievement, including academic performance, education behavior, and cognitive skills and attitudes.
As a part of an ongoing initiative to enhance the health and wellness resources available to its students and families, the Baldwin Union Free School District (UFSD) is proud to launch the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center and to be among the first school districts in the nation to establish such a resource directly on campus at no cost to families.
In partnership with PM Pediatric Care and located at the Baldwin Middle School, the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center provides immediate access to behavioral health care and resources dedicated to mental wellness for students from elementary through high school, with convenient and flexible hours during and after school. This innovative, collaborative approach to connected care is key to supporting students’ whole health needs while optimizing their learning experiences.
“Nurturing the ‘whole child’ continues to be a key focus for the Baldwin School District,” said Dr. Shari L. Camhi, superintendent of schools for Baldwin School District. “We understand that to provide a well-rounded, high-quality education, we must first ensure our student’s emotional wellness. The Baldwin Schools Wellness Center, under a grant from former Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, is a significant step in this direction, benefiting not only our district and therefore, the Baldwin community. Through this new resource, we will foster a positive and nurturing environment that promotes emotional and academic well-being for everyone involved. We are extremely proud to be among the first school districts in the nation to offer such comprehensive services at no cost to our families directly onsite. Thank you to our Board of Education, administrators, the Pupil Services department, all of our staff who helped bring this to fruition, as well as our partners at PM Pediatric Care. We look forward to seeing the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center’s continued success.”
Additional services offered through the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center include:
- On-site, licensed pediatric and adolescent behavioral health professionals offering evidence-based therapeutic care;
- A team of school nurses, counselors, and district personnel to deliver quality mental and behavioral health services;
- Crisis consultation and management, individual and group therapy, creative arts therapy, assessment and behavioral interventions, and professional development for school personnel; and
- Safe and comfortable counseling rooms, mindfulness area, transition room, and academic tutoring space.
“I’m delighted to be part of the opening of the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center,” said Dr. Jeanne Marconi, Vice President of Clinical Integration and School Health at PM Pediatric Care. “Our commitment to bridging the gap in mental and behavioral healthcare between home and school extends beyond the walls of our PM Pediatric Care offices and into the heart of the communities we serve. The Baldwin Schools Wellness Center takes an innovative approach and allows us to help build an ecosystem of connected care between school, therapy, caregivers, community, and pediatricians. We are honored to join hands with the Baldwin School district in providing expert therapeutic interventions for students in a way that meets their personal needs.”
About Baldwin UFSD
The Baldwin Union Free School District (UFSD) is an award-winning K-12 public school district located on Long Island in Baldwin, NY. With a total enrollment of approximately 4500, the district consists of seven schools, a career and technical program, and a universal pre-kindergarten program. Baldwin UFSD has received recognition for its innovative and rigorous academic programs, numerous partnerships, and redesigned classrooms, and prides itself on helping students become future-ready. Some of the district’s innovative initiatives encompass the school-to-career-based programs—e.g., 8th Grade Pre-Academies and 9th–12th Grade Academic Academies—a community college partnership, an extensive catalog of dual credit and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a 6-12 ELA (English Language Arts) and social studies curriculum tied to news literacy, the Senior Experience course, as well as nationally recognized arts and athletics. The district’s graduation rate is currently 99%. Baldwin UFSD embraces its diverse community and school motto, “We are innovative. We are inclusive. We are involved. We are Baldwin.” For more information, visit www.baldwinschools.org or connect on Facebook ( BaldwinSchools), Instagram ( Baldwin_Schools) and LinkedIn ( BaldwinSchools).
PM Pediatric Care School Health
PM Pediatric Care is the nation’s largest provider of specialized pediatric urgent care with nearly 80 locations in more than 15 states. Established as a premier alternative to a children’s emergency department, the organization has since grown into a robust network of world-class pediatric healthcare initiatives, including comprehensive behavioral health services in communities and schools. PM Pediatric Care’s School Health program works with school districts to bridge the gap between school, home, primary care pediatricians, and behavioral health providers. They aim to support students’ whole health needs and optimize learning by offering flexible appointments during and after the school day. The program provides students with access to licensed and credentialed healthcare professionals, improving attendance and supporting academic success. For more information about PM Pediatric Care, visit pmpediatriccare.com.
