Guiding Students Toward Healthy Growth

Mental Health and Safety for Orthodox Students

The Yehi Ohr Program provides school-based mental health counseling services to students in Jewish Day Schools across South Florida, serving children from Pre-K through 8th grade. Through partnerships with local schools and synagogues, the program delivers culturally sensitive therapy specifically tailored to meet the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community.

Yehi Ohr: Mental Health Support for Students in Jewish Schools

Yehi Ohr counselors work directly with students, teachers, and administrators to promote emotional well-being and healthy development. Services include:

  • Individual and group counseling
  • Brief, solution-focused therapy sessions
  • Psychoeducational programs and workshops
  • Support for students navigating complex interpersonal or emotional challenges
  • Consultation with school staff to improve student mental health outcomes

JCS Safety Program: Sexual Abuse Prevention in Orthodox Schools

A key component of Yehi Ohr is the JCS Safety Program, which delivers on-site child safety and sexual abuse prevention education to Orthodox children in Jewish Day Schools. The curriculum is:

  • Developmentally appropriate, with five age-specific modules (Pre-K–3rd, 4th–5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th–9th grades)
  • Approved by school counselors and principals at participating institutions
  • Designed to empower children with knowledge in a respectful, culturally aligned manner

In addition to working with students, the Safety Program provides:

  • Teacher training workshops on creating safe school environments
  • Parental education sessions to help caregivers protect their children and recognize warning signs

Through Yehi Ohr and the JCS Safety Program, JCS is proud to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of children in the Orthodox Jewish community.

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How to Get Help

Connect with JCS for comprehensive information, referrals, and support services in Miami, including social, vocational, and healthcare assistance.

Call JCS Access at 305.576.6550 from 8:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday through Friday or fill out the online JCS Access form to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Yehi Ohr Program and who is it for?

The Yehi Ohr Program provides school-based mental health counseling and emotional support for students in Jewish Day Schools across South Florida, from Pre-K through 8th grade. It is designed to meet the unique cultural and emotional needs of Orthodox Jewish children and families, with referrals often coming through schools and synagogues. Services are confidential and provided by licensed, culturally competent mental health professionals.

What kind of counseling services are offered through the Yehi Ohr Program?

Students in the Yehi Ohr Program can receive:

  • One-on-one counseling
  • Brief, solution-focused therapy
  • Group support sessions
  • Psychoeducational workshops
  • Assistance with interpersonal or emotional challenges

JCS counselors work closely with school staff and families to support students’ mental health in a respectful and sensitive manner.

What is the JCS Safety Program and what does it teach?

The JCS Safety Program provides sexual abuse prevention and personal safety education to Orthodox Jewish children in Jewish Day Schools throughout South Florida. The program uses age-appropriate, culturally sensitive curriculum to teach children how to recognize unsafe situations, set boundaries, and seek help. It also includes training for teachers, school administrators, and parents to help create safer school environments.

How is the safety curriculum adapted for different age groups?

The JCS Safety Program offers five separate, developmentally appropriate curriculums for elementary school, middle school and high school.

Each curriculum is carefully reviewed and approved by school counselors and principals, ensuring alignment with school values and student needs.

How can a school or parent get involved with the Yehi Ohr or Safety Program?

Schools, administrators, or parents interested in the Yehi Ohr or the JCS Safety Program can contact JCS directly at 305.576.6550 or by visiting jcsfl.org/contact-us to request more information or schedule a consultation. JCS partners with schools and families to deliver tailored mental health and safety services to children in the Orthodox Jewish community.