Back
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation & Training
For over 60 years, Virginia Frank has provided early childhood mental health consultation and training services to Early Head Start, Head Start, private
childcare and preschools throughout Chicagoland. Our experienced consultants provide:
- Classroom and individual child observations
- Collaboration with directors, teachers, parents and caregivers
- On-site staff training and parent workshops
- Crisis intervention and behavioral support planning
- Implementation support for relationship-based approaches
Professional Development Resources
- Our nationally recognized book, Connections: A Relationship-Based Phase Model, is available on Amazon, and provides early childhood professionals with a comprehensive guide to supporting children's social-emotional development through three relationship phases.
- Connections Online Learning Series is a 5-course program uniquely centered around our relationship-based developmental model that helps young children thrive in classrooms.
Each interactive course is 20-30 minutes long and includes practical tools and classroom management strategies. The series includes:
- Connections: A Relationship-Based Phase Model
- Trauma and Resiliency in the Community: Understanding and Supporting Young Children
- All Behavior Has Meaning
- Collaboratively Engaging with Families - Partnership for Success
- Managing Stress and Self-Care
All five courses can be purchased online at a discounted rate, or purchased individually.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
Specialized Therapeutic Groups for Children and Families
Current Groups
For group details and to register, please check the calendar.
Boys Group (Ages 6-8) meets on Mondays, 4:30-6pm
Creates a space for boys to engage socially through play and structured activities that support communication, problem solving, and emotional regulation. Through individual and joint activities such as story-telling, building, and physical play, boys develop their capacity to interact effectively in their daily lives.
Girls Expressive Arts Therapy Group (Ages 6-8) meets on Thursdays, 4:30-6pm
Provides opportunities for alternative avenues of self-expression and social connection. Girls use art, drama, and play to express themselves and connect with one another while developing skills for emotional regulation, communication, and deepening social relationships.
Preschool Socialization Group (Ages 3-5) meets on Thursdays, 4:15-5:45pm
Offers children additional support in their social interactions with peers. Through small and large group play activities, children learn to identify their feelings in social situations and understand the consequences of their behavior.
No upcoming events found.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
Through a Jewish Lens: Hope and Healing for Suicide Loss Survivors
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day program for Jewish suicide loss survivors, family and friends to find connection, understanding and hope through shared experience.
This online event is sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Co-sponsored by JCFS Chicago, No Shame on U, and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains.
For more information, contact Aliza Becker.
Join us for BINGO!
Join the Services for People with Disabilities team for an evening of community, connection, fun, and games as we BINGO the night away! We welcome adults 18+ with disabilities and not yet disabled to join in the fun. Light refreshments will be provided, and registration is required.
BINGO will be held in the gym where there is a step-free accessible entrance. The gym space includes a slip resistant grey floor; overhead fluorescent lighting and mechanical sounds are present in the space. A microphone will be used to call BINGO. Parking is available onsite, as well as street parking, and is located on the #11 CTA bus route.
Social Skills Class
Occupational Therapist led Class: For ages 5-7 years and 8-10 years
Looking for a fun way to practice social participation skills like turn taking, sharing, self-regulation, social awareness, and engaging with others? Our social skills class is the place for you!
In this occupational therapy-lead class, children will learn to become flexible thinkers, read cues of their peers and build empathy, while they practice interacting and building relationships through fun activities. During the first class, peers will identify interests that will help shape the theme of ongoing activities.
Class Location: Abe and Ida Cooper Center
Class Schedule:
- Mondays (5-7 years) 4-5pm: Dec 1, 8, 15, Jan 5, 12, & 19th
- Register for Monday sessions today!
- Thursdays (8-10 years) 5-6pm: Dec 4, 11, 18, Jan 8th, 15th, 22nd
- Register for Thursday sessions today!
Class Fee: $300/6-week session*
*Classes require at least three participants to run. Payment (cash or card) will be collected when a final census is confirmed. If clinician is absent, makeup sessions or refunds will be offered. If child is absent, there are no refunds.
* Thanks to generous funder support, the class fee is waived for participants new to JCFS Chicago.