Venture restart plan

The Venture Program is designed to address the therapeutic, psychiatric and educational needs of students in grades six through post-secondary, who have recently been discharged from a psychiatric hospital or residential treatment program, or are exhibiting serious psychiatric symptoms. This program is a collaborative effort between Bergen County Special Services and Bergen County Division of Family Guidance (DFG), the latter which provides a full array of psychiatric and therapeutic services.

Psychiatric services include, evaluation, diagnosis, provision of prescriptions and the management and monitoring of psychiatric medications. Therapeutic services include: group therapy largely focused on mindfulness practice to facilitate the self-regulation of emotions and behaviors, individual psychotherapy with LCSW’s and group Art Therapy run by a licensed Art Therapist. Crisis Counselors are available at all times to all students. DFG provides psycho-educational services to staff, students and families. Family therapy is offered in evenings at their main office. Clinical Staff will maintain contact with students’ outside psychiatrist, therapists and agencies when applicable.

Venture has a strong academic program for grades 6 to 12+ to meet Individual Education Plans aligned with NJSLS and LCE. Venture also offers State Testing for those students participating in NJ Ask 8, NJBCT and PARCC. Progress reporting and grades occurs four times a year; parent conferences as needed and IEP annual reviews are part of the academic program. State of the art technology is implemented to enhance the Venture Program’s academic curriculum.

Post-secondary students who have completed all their high school academic requirements for graduation are offered career education and hands on community based instruction. This includes simulated work training opportunities, job training, internships and travel training.

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year!

We are excited to begin another year filled with opportunities to support our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. At Venture, we offer a small-group, therapeutic school setting that fosters personalized support and meaningful connections.

Our long-standing partnership with the Division of Family Guidance (DFG) allows us to provide a range of clinical services to our students and their families. These services include individual and group therapy, crisis counseling, family therapy, and art therapy. For families who are interested, medication management services are also available.

In addition to therapeutic support, Venture offers a comprehensive academic program aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Students participate in supported academic courses and have the opportunity to explore elective subjects such as Music, Art, and World Language. Our state-of-the-art kitchen at the BCSS Garfield House provides hands-on culinary experiences, while the facility also serves as a space for students to develop essential life skills that promote independence.

We remain committed to helping students achieve their transition goals. For those interested in joining the workforce, BCSS Job Coaches begin working with students in their junior year, providing opportunities to explore various job placements through our Job Developer. In their senior year, eligible students may participate in internships to further their career readiness.

For students planning to attend two- or four-year colleges or trade schools, our BCSS Post-Secondary Counselor offers personalized support, including career exploration, school selection, and assistance with the application process.

We look forward to a successful year of collaboration with our families and partner districts as we continue to empower each student on their path to success.