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 back to a wonderful and exiting 2017 -2018 school year! It is our hope that you have all enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable summer. As summer draws to a close we commence into yet another year filled with academic wonder, stimulating lecture and state of the art technology. Our faculties are dedicated and committed in providing our students with supportive and challenging learning environments whereby each student has an opportunity to meet their academic, social and emotional needs.

BCSSSD offers many educational options. Whether self contained schools or working within a host sight in collaboration with other schools, we assure you the highest quality education. We continue to offer an array of special services and itinerant services that would best serve the needs of your child. Progressive and innovative staff continually strives to meet the individualized needs of our students by developing alternative strategies that are geared to personal success and to provide a student with the desire to learn and achieve. Faculty will be working on a number of initiatives including Robotics, integration of technology and emphasize on reading and writing in all content areas with our students.

We are excited to start another year and look forward in keeping in close communication with all of you. Remember the motto, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success.” Let us all have a wonderful, successful, and safe 2017-2018 school year!