School-Community Partnerships South Brunswick Township Public Schools has established partnerships with other agencies to provide services and programs for all District children. These services include community outreach in times of crisis or when the need arises, providing mental health services to students and their families as well as discussion groups for interested parties.


Community Resource Team (CRT)
The Community Resource Team is an ongoing partnership of organizations and agencies from within the South Brunswick community that is committed to supporting all township residents. The team is responsible for identifying community needs, establishing interagency agreements and providing the necessary training for its members and others within the community. In addition, CRT works to assure clear, accurate and effective communication and helps assess the effectiveness of a response following an event. Future plans include creating and managing a Community Volunteer Service Program and coordinating the development and maintenance of a Community Resource Database.

Members, representing the police department, township government and government services, the township Clergy Association, the school district and other community agencies work together to foster community well-being and provide resources needed for the community to address the four phases of emergency management-mitigation, management, preparedness and response/recovery.


EPIC
Every Parent Influences Children (EPIC) is a program funded by the South Brunswick Board of Education and the South Brunswick Municipal Alliance whose mission is to help parents, teachers and community members raise children to become responsible and capable adults. EPIC offers small discussion group workshops throughout the year for parents and guardians of children from infancy through adolescence, focusing on positive parenting skills, including, but not limited to: discipline, helping your child succeed in school, fostering self-esteem, coping with stress and frustration and conflict resolution.

Workshops are typically offered in a series of four evenings, with groups divided by the age of the children. Workshops are free and childcare is provided at no cost. Sessions are held at various locations throughout the District and are publicized through the schools, as well as local media. Facilitators of the workshops are trained parent volunteers from within the community.

In addition, a newly-created online library of parenting information from The Parent Institute provides substantive, research-based information and support on key issues affecting children today, from the elementary through teenage years. Topics include responsibility, discipline, school success, family time and more. Each of the parent guides is 8-12 pages in length - brief enough for busy parents to read, thorough enough to provide useful ideas parents can put into action immediately to help their children. Parent Guides are available online at www.sbschools.org or by contacting EPIC Coordinator Christine Mariano.

For more information, or to become a workshop facilitator, contact Ms. Mariano at (732)297-7800, Ext. 73009 or E-mail EPIC@sbschools.org.


Parent Academy
Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) and the South Brunswick School District have partnered to offer a series of workshops under the umbrella of the recently-formed, South Brunswick Parent Academy (SBPA).  The Academy was founded on the concept of “Solving the Puzzle of Parenting … One Piece at a Time.”  Returning for its second year, SBPA will offer topics encompassing EPIC parenting workshops, as well as district workshops on curriculum, instruction, technology, character education and safe and caring schools.


Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth Assets Initiative (ASSETS)
The mission of the South Brunswick Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth Assets initiative is to motivate and equip individuals and organizations to join together to nurture competent, caring and responsible children.

This can be accomplished by the entire community actively building assets into daily interactions with our youth.

Developmental assets are positive experiences and personal qualities that are the building blocks of healthy development. The more assets a young person has, the more likely he/she will make positive, healthy choices.

The Initiative is not a program, but a philosophy of community members focusing on the strengths of youth, affirming and increasing their skills and talents.

For additional information, contact healthyyouthassets@sbtnj.net or (732) 329-4000, Ext. 7237.


School Based Youth Services
South Brunswick High School and Crossroads Middle Schools offer a comprehensive School Based Youth Services Program funded primarily by the New Jersey Department of Human Services to help young people finish their education and lead healthy, drug-free lives.

Individual mental health services, employment services, family services and recreational services are offered as part of this program. Freshman transitional counseling services and a mentoring program are offered at the high school. For additional information, contact the program director at (732)329-4044, Ext. 3246.