Rochester City School District receives statewide recognition for its innovative approach to supporting student mental health

Rochester, New York – The Rochester City School District (RCSD) is being honored this week for its groundbreaking work in student mental health and wellness. In a strong show of statewide appreciation, the district has been invited to present its innovative support model during the annual What’s Great in Our State celebration, a key event recognizing exceptional efforts to promote children’s mental health in New York.

Held in Albany, the event takes place during Mental Health Awareness Month, making the recognition even more meaningful. RCSD’s presentation will spotlight The Village Approach, a collaborative framework developed in partnership with the University of Rochester Medical Center. This model is designed to provide students with comprehensive, wraparound support that goes far beyond academics.

Built on the belief that schools should serve as community hubs, The Village Approach combines educational, emotional, and social resources right on school campuses. Thanks to funding from the Extended School Day Violence Prevention program and grants from the New York State Office of Mental Health, the district has been able to implement this model across its schools, giving students easier access to the help they need.

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By connecting teachers, families, mental health professionals, and community organizations, RCSD has created an ecosystem of support aimed at removing the obstacles many students face. This structure helps ensure that every child—not just those already identified as needing help—can benefit from resources tailored to their specific needs.

“By building strong partnerships with families and community organizations, the District is actively cultivating more inclusive, equitable school environments where every student can thrive,” according to RCSD.

At the Albany event, RCSD’s Executive Director of Student Support Services, Crystal Clark, and Dr. Melissa Heatley from the University of Rochester Medical Center will present details about how this approach works in real life. Their talk will focus on the model’s tiered structure, which delivers different levels of support depending on a student’s individual situation. Attendees will learn how to bring similar strategies into their own schools and communities.

“During today’s event, Crystal Clark, RCSD’s Executive Director of Student Support Services, and Dr. Melissa Heatley from the University of Rochester Medical Center, will share how the District’s tiered approach provides targeted resources to meet students where they are. Attendees will walk away with real-world strategies for implementing similar wraparound services, forming strong partnerships, and building a more inclusive, equitable school culture.”

Adding further insight to the discussion, keynote speaker Dr. Ross Greene will speak about his well-known approach to working with behaviorally challenged students. A former Harvard Medical School faculty member and a respected psychologist, Dr. Greene emphasizes empathy, communication, and collaboration in helping children overcome challenges in school and beyond.

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“The District’s participation in this statewide celebration reflects its leadership in rethinking how schools support the whole child. As communities nationwide observe Mental Health Awareness Month, the District is proud to be at the forefront of this vital conversation.”

The recognition shines a spotlight not only on RCSD’s innovation but also on the broader movement to rethink how schools address mental health. With rising awareness of student mental health needs nationwide, RCSD’s proactive and inclusive approach stands as a promising model for other districts to follow.

As the conversation around mental health continues to grow, the Rochester City School District is showing what’s possible when communities come together to support their students—not just academically, but as whole individuals with emotional and social needs that matter just as much.