Student and staff social emotional and mental health needs have grown exponentially during the Pandemic.  Though needs have always been there, issues have been exacerbated by social isolation, loss, grief, division, and the anxiety around the enormous changes and pressures everyone is experiencing.  In fact, our US Surgeon General has declared a youth mental health crisis and there is a growing call for comprehensive targeted supports that help both students and adults navigate increased pressures and renewed interactions, both in and out of school.  SEL competencies, which are foundational to both pro-social behaviors and academic achievement, are necessary to thrive in school, career, and life. We are committed to supporting this important learning in NYC Schools for students and staff.

Who Created This Content

Connect with Kids Network (CWK) combines the power of media and the promise of education to tell the compelling stores of people, communities, and organizations that are improving important social and emotional issues that define our times: race, gender identity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, and more.

Over two decades ago, CWK began producing and syndicating documentaries and corresponding educational resources on social issues distributed through a network of local school districts and local ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox television station affiliates reaching over 55-million households.

As cable distribution and digital video streaming became more mainstream, CWK focused on creating corresponding evidence-based educational resources, teacher training, and parent programs delivered through custom digital portals to school systems and other child-centered organizations.

CWK is an Effective Producer of Programs on the U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse and resides on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP). CWK’s television documentaries have won over 27 Emmy nominations and awards.

Research shows that schools using Connect with Kids programs experienced:

• A decrease in physical and verbal aggressive behaviors among students.
• A decrease in the likelihood of students using drugs and alcohol.
• An increase in positive social and emotional behaviors among students.
• Improved communication among students, teachers and parents.