Counseling & Wellness Support
Licensed clinicians provide therapeutic support and work closely with students and families.
Back to School Without the Battle
When Back-to-School Anxiety Becomes School Refusal
For some students, anxiety isn't just nerves about the first day. It can make getting to school—and staying there—feel overwhelming or even impossible.
With the right supports, there is a path back.
Based in Cherry Hill, NJ and supporting students in grades 5–12 across Southern New Jersey.
More than first-day nerves. When anxiety or other mental health concerns begin preventing a student from attending school consistently, additional support may be needed.
Recognize
5 Signs It May Be More Than Back-to-School Jitters
Every student is different, and these signs alone don't tell the whole story. They can, however, be a signal that it's worth a closer look.
Frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches or feeling sick
Extreme worry about going to school or being away from home
Avoiding school routines or refusing to get ready
Crying, meltdowns or panic before or during school
Missing school or leaving early frequently
If you're seeing these signs, a student may need more than encouragement—they may need additional support.
What support could look like
Understand
School Refusal Is More Than “Not Wanting to Go”
School refusal can occur when anxiety, emotional distress or other mental health concerns interfere with a student's ability to attend school consistently. It isn't about a student being defiant, and it isn't a failure of a family or a school.
It's often a stress response
Attending school can feel genuinely overwhelming, and avoidance can bring short-term relief that makes the pattern harder to break.
Time away compounds the difficulty
The longer a student is out of school, the more unfamiliar and difficult returning can feel—academically and socially.
No one is to blame
Students, families and school teams are usually all working hard. The challenge is finding the right level of support.
Early recognition helps
Identifying the need for support early can help create a pathway back before absences become long-term.
First Children Services
A Bridge Back to School
The Transitions Program provides a supportive, center-based educational environment for middle and high school students who are unable to attend their public schools consistently because of school refusal, anxiety or other mental health concerns.
The program combines education and therapeutic support while helping students develop the comfort, confidence and coping skills needed to work toward successfully returning to their home districts.
Grades 5–12Full-Day Programming
Let's Talk About a Student
Find Support
Support for the Whole Student
Education and therapeutic support work side by side, so a student isn't asked to choose between learning and getting help.
Small-Group Learning
A smaller educational environment provides students with increased support.
Individualized Learning
Academic programming can be individualized to meet student needs.
Assessment & Intervention Planning
Students receive individualized assessment and intervention planning.
Individual & Group Counseling
Counseling is integrated into the program.
Social Skills Support
Students have opportunities to strengthen social and interpersonal skills.
Transition Planning
Planning focuses on helping students progress toward their next educational step.
Collaboration
Transitions clinicians collaborate with families and students' outside providers.
The program also offers:
Honors-level coursesExtended School Year programmingThe Goal Isn't to Avoid School. It's to Build a Path Back.
Our goal is to help students feel comfortable and confident while developing the coping skills they need to successfully return to their home districts.
- 1
Stabilize
- 2
Reconnect
- 3
Build Skills
- 4
Increase Confidence
- 5
Transition
Preparing for What Comes Next
Supported Education is available for students who require enhanced support as they prepare for college and/or employment following their time in the program.
Explore Transitions
Do You Have a Student Who…
A conversation can help determine whether Transitions may be an appropriate option.
Let's Talk About a StudentIs missing significant amounts of school?
Experiences anxiety or distress related to attending school?
Has difficulty entering or remaining in the school building?
Has mental health concerns interfering with regular attendance?
Needs a smaller, more supportive educational environment?
May benefit from integrated counseling and academics?
Needs a structured plan for eventually returning to their district?
Supporting a Student Who Is Struggling to Return?
If you're a case manager, Child Study Team member, counselor, administrator or other school professional working with a student whose mental health needs are interfering with school attendance, we'd be happy to talk through the situation with you.
Discuss a Student With Our TeamStart a Conversation
Start a Conversation
Tell us a little about what you're looking for and a member of the First Children Services team will follow up.
Questions? Contact:
csummers@firstchildrenservices.com