Welcome to our
Transitions Program!
The Transitions Program is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and supportive educational pathway for middle and high school students facing mental health challenges that have impacted their traditional school attendance. Beyond immediate educational goals, we aim to equip students with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully transition back to their home districts when ready. Recognizing that each student’s journey is unique, we serve as a steadfast educational partner, potentially throughout the entirety of their academic experience.
About the Program
The Transitions Program is a center based program for students with anxiety, school refusal and other related mental health concerns preventing them from attending school regularly. While traditional home instruction may provide an immediate educational solution, but it will only mask the problem and can socially isolate the child leading to further issues.
First Children’s Transitions Program offers a solution that allows these students to comfortably return to a group learning environment among their peers. The goals of the Transitions Program are to help students with anxiety and/or depression, who are not attending or thriving in a typical school setting, to return to a classroom-like setting, learn coping skills, and ultimately transition back to school.
- Full Day Programming
- Small Group Setting
-
Individualized, supportive
education plans
- A broad range of electives
- Honors level courses
-
Weekly Individual and Group
Counseling
Designed with School
Districts in Mind
The Transitions Program model was designed to meet the needs of sending school districts. First Children is a New Jersey Department of Education Approved Clinic and Agency for counseling and home instruction. Our Transitions Program teachers are New Jersey Department of Education certified. The Transitions curriculum follows the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Students do not need an IEP or 504 to attend the Transitions Program. Transportation to and from our programs is typically the responsibility of the sending school district.
It’s all in the numbers!
Operation
Ratio
Teaching Experience
Served
Attendance
Testimonials
Success Story
The Transitions Program counseling services are provided by our experienced licensed clinical social workers who work closely with each student’s outside treatment provider and family to ensure a smooth continuity of care. Counseling services include but are not limited to, Mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills, and family support.
Student/Client Success Profile
Program: Transitions Program
Cherry Hill, NJ
Interested in learning more
about the Transitions
Program?
For more information on the Transitions Program, please contact Caitlin Summers-Motta, Director of Business Development and Mental Health Services, at csummers@firstchildrenservices.com or you can reach our administrative assistant at 856-250-8737.
Transitions Program is located at 1256 Marlkress Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.
Frequently Asked Questions About the First Children Services Transitions Program
1. What is the First Children Services Transitions Program?
The First Children Services Transitions Program is a specialized, center-based educational program for students in grades 5–12 who struggle to attend traditional school consistently due to school refusal, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. Located in New Jersey, the program combines academic instruction, individualized educational support, and mental health counseling in a structured, small-group environment. Its goal is to help students maintain academic progress, develop emotional and social skills, and work toward successfully returning to their traditional school setting when appropriate.
2. Who can benefit from a school refusal program in New Jersey?
Middle and high school students in grades 5–12 who experience anxiety, depression, school avoidance, chronic absenteeism, or other mental health challenges that interfere with regular school attendance may benefit from a structured school refusal program. The First Children Services Transitions Program provides an alternative educational environment for students who need additional academic and therapeutic support. Students do not need an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan to participate.
3. What educational and mental health services does the Transitions Program provide?
The First Children Services Transitions Program combines full-day academic programming with individualized educational support and counseling. Services include small-group instruction, individualized learning, individual and group counseling, social skills development, assessment and intervention planning, honors-level courses, and Extended School Year programming. Counseling is provided by licensed clinical social workers and may incorporate approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness strategies. This integrated approach helps students address the emotional and academic challenges affecting school attendance.
4. Does the First Children Services Transitions Program help students return to traditional school?
Yes. An important goal of the First Children Services Transitions Program is to help students develop the academic, emotional, and social skills needed to transition back to their home school district when appropriate. Through structured learning, counseling, peer interaction, and individualized transition planning, students work toward rebuilding confidence and improving their ability to participate in a traditional educational environment. The transition process considers each student’s individual needs and progress.
5. Can New Jersey school districts refer students to the First Children Services Transitions Program?
Yes. The First Children Services Transitions Program works with New Jersey sending school districts to provide educational and therapeutic support for students experiencing school refusal and mental health-related attendance challenges. School administrators, Child Study Teams, educators, and families can contact First Children Services to discuss program eligibility, referral information, and placement considerations. The program serves students and school communities throughout New Jersey, including Roselle Park and surrounding Union County communities. For information, call 856-250-8737 or email referrals@firstchildrenservices.com.