Clinical & Related Services

Green Chimneys School offers on-site clinical services and therapeutic support from staff professionals who help students develop a sense of understanding and individual uniqueness, as they gain the ability to apply what they learn at Green Chimneys to daily life.

Comprehensive Support: From Clinical Services to Individual and Group Therapies

Services are determined by Individual Education Plan (IEP) requirements developed by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) teams, incorporating related services into the day of students as stipulated in the IEP. Home school district CSE teams are responsible for making additional arrangements for students who require additional services beyond what Green Chimneys School can accommodate.

Counseling

Individual and/or small group social/emotional counseling is provided to all Green Chimneys students by an assigned social worker (the main point person for families) to address specific social/emotional IEP goals and objectives. Social workers are part of the education team and, together with teachers, related service providers and parents, develop specific interventions to meet individual student’s educational needs and document those interventions in an Individual Crisis Management Plan. They also assist with crisis intervention as needed.

Social workers teach strategies and techniques that enable students to:
  • develop self-confidence
  • make good decisions
  • resolve conflicts peacefully
  • become effective problem solvers
In addition to direct services, social workers support students by addressing topics such as:
  • Social skills
  • School motivation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Stress management

Throughout the year, social workers visit classrooms on a rotating basis to conduct social skills group sessions, and many incorporate animal-assisted ecotherapy and activities into their sessions with the students, as appropriate.

Speech/Language Therapy

Speech/Language intervention addresses the student’s ability to comprehend the information being delivered in the classroom, effectively communicate knowledge gained, and be understood by others. Students who are identified by their districts as requiring language intervention, as indicated by their IEP goals and objectives, are scheduled for services by Green Chimneys clinicians.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy intervention addresses the student’s ability to fully access the learning environment in the areas of written assignment completion (fine motor skills), organization of materials and workspace, and reacting to the surrounding environment (sensory skills). Students who are identified by their districts as requiring occupational therapy intervention receive these services from the Green Chimneys team of clinicians, as authorized by the IEP. New York State Education Department requires parents to provide Green Chimneys with a physician’s prescription for occupational services before services are scheduled.

Behavior Management

The practice of a fair and therapeutic application of behavioral support interventions assures the delivery of a high quality service to our children and their families. Green Chimneys School students are provided with a treatment setting in which all interactions with staff and the environment have a potentially therapeutic value.

Family Counseling

Typically, families seek to improve interactions and communication with their child at home. Social Workers are available to speak with you weekly and as needed to keep you informed of progress at school, give you information about your child’s special needs, and help you manage behaviors at home. This does not take the place of family therapy, which is often something we recommend for you and your family, in your community.

Service Referrals

Our social workers, therapists, and transition coordinators are available to help you navigate and access the often confusing systems of care – Office of People With Developmental Disabilities; Office of Mental Health; ACCES-VR; Medicaid; Supplemental Security Income – as well as assist with referrals for various supportive services in your communities, such as individual and family therapy, case management, psychiatric services, and similar supports. Learn more about Transition Planning and Community Resources