STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Families across Staten Island gathered Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 at the Pavilion on the Terrace for a NYC Public Schools event created to support caregivers and provide valuable community resources.
The “Caring for Our Caregivers” initiative, part of the district’s NYCPS Cares program, offered families information on college readiness, adult education, wellness resources and free tax consultations.
“Why don’t we just get the community together and raise educational awareness and really get the research to the community in a beautiful space,”said Dr. Hena Ali-Bernard, Supervisor of School Social Workers and member of the Central Crisis Support Team.
The event’s idea originated from a partnership that highlighted the substantial amount of unclaimed tax credits and other financial resources that families in New York City had left on the table. Understanding the importance of increasing awareness about these opportunities, NYCPS and its partners decided to host an educational event that intertwined financial guidance and broader community support.
“It aligns perfectly with Chancellor Aviles-Ramos’s priorities around strategic planning and community and we really wanted to pour into the caregivers”
Introduced in Spring 2025, NYCPS Cares, demonstrates Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos’ dedication to assisting school communities, including staff, students and families. They focus on safety, wellness, and family support through programs such as Every Child and Family is Known, where caring adults are connected with children and families.
The crisis team plays an important role in the district’s social-emotional support system. Dr. Ali-Bernard explained that the team operates across four key areas: crisis deployment, professional learning for counselors and social workers, resource and community development, and providing support through school-based interns.
“On Staten Island specifically, we have an amazing relationship and we have an amazing superintendent,” she said.
Scenes from the NYCPS “Caring for Caregivers” event.Marcia Herrera
Collaboration was a key factor in the creation of the event. The public schools partnered with Staten Island S.T.R.O.N.G, Project Hospitality and the Mayor’s Office to provide families with access to scholarships, FAFSA guidance and resources for tax preparation.
“We got some feedback around FAFSA and the importance of college readiness and unless you’ve been in the process before, it can be super challenging,” said Dr. Ali-Bernard
Public schools plan to continue these efforts, using community surveys to understand the needs of families and stakeholders. This feedback will facilitate future events, ensuring that the district’s support is intentional.
For any additional information about NYCPS Cares and upcoming projects, families are encouraged to visit the agency’s website.
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