UCSD System of Care

Utica City School District System of Care

Safe Schools Mohawk Valley is a proud partner in the Utica City School District System of Care. We help students overcome barriers to learning, strengthen social-emotional well-being, and stay connected to school.

When attendance, behavior, or disengagement signals a student needs support, our team responds with structured, research-informed services delivered in close partnership with UCSD staff and families.

Utica City School District System of Care
Utica City School District System of Care
Utica City School District System of Care
Utica City School District System of Care

Snapshot (2024-2025 Academic Year)

0
Students Referred (Tiers 2 & 3)
0
Students Served (Tiers 2 & 3)
0
Students Served (Tier 1)
0
McKinney-Vento Students Referred

Services Provided to UCSD System of Care

  • In-school support through 18 Youth Case Managers (YCMs)

  • Tiered student supports (Tier 1, 2 & 3)

  • McKinney-Vento program support

  • Professional Development for UCSD staff

  • Annual Urban Leadership Academy (ULI) for UCSD High Schoolers

Staffed to Serve UCSD Schools

  • 1 Youth Case Manager per elemenatary school

  • 2 Youth Case Managers at each middle school

  • 4 Youth Case Managers at the high school

Inquiries about available services and referrals can be made to:

Melanie Adams
Deputy Chief Program Officer
info@ssmv.org
(315) 733-7768 x204

Safe Schools Mohawk Valley’s Urban Leadership Institute

SSMV’s Urban Leadership Institute (ULI) is a free 8-day summer conference for Mohawk Valley high school students designed to empower the next generation of leaders. ULI works on key leadership traits like communication, decision making, and teamwork, as well service-learning projects. Incoming 9th-grade or 12th-grade (Fall 2026) are invited to participate. Students do not have to be SSMV service recipients.

ULI AUGUST 2026 — DETAILS COMING SOON!

SSMV’s Student Referral Process

Referrals are received directly from the school district — typically through a school social worker or counselor— providing us with essential background information and a clear understanding of each student’s needs. Our Youth Case Manager reviews the referral with their supervisor, and the intake process begins.

We use a structured, collaborative assessment to align services to each students needs, collaborating with teachers, administrators, social workers and parents. We meet with the student to understand the student’s own goals. From there we determine the most appropriate service level of support (Tier 1, 2 or 3).

Wrap-Around & Student-Centered Support

Our services aim to build resiliency and mitigate risky behavior. We use wrap around approaches and incorporate person-centered, trauma-informed, restorative practices, and strengths-based coordination into all evidence-based model programs. We target:

  • Improved attendance (including skipping classes and being late for school) and/or behavioral
  • Social-emotional strengths, including:
    • Self-esteem
    • Social skills
    • Positive choices
    • Coping strategies
    • Self-regulation
  • Reduced negative behavior
  • Reduced likelihood of risky behavior (substance use, vaping, criminal activity, inappropriate behavior)
Utica City School District System of Care
Utica City School District System of Care
Utica City School District System of Care

Tiers of Support (Based on Level of Need)

Best for: Immediate needs such as crisis intervention, de-escalation, and redirection aligned with building and district-level goals.

Examples of Tier 1 supports:

  • Crisis intervention
  • De-escalation
  • Mediation and conflict support
  • Community service activities
  • Reinforcing school-wide SEL themes (bulletin boards, community engagement projects)
  • Classroom presentations

Best for: Early warning signs such as shifts in behavior, declining attendance, or decreased participation.

Typical timeline: 60-120 days

Examples of Tier 2 supports (group or individual):

  • Check In / Check Out
  • Grief and loss support
  • Mediation
  • Mentoring
  • RESET! (aggression reduction)

Skills taught and reinforced may include:

  • Conflict resolution
  • Resiliency
  • Coping strategies
  • Self-regulation
  • Self-esteem

Best for: Students whose behavior is impacting success in school including disengagement (tardiness, skipping, truancy) and behavioral concerns or significant disciplinary actions taken by the district.

Typical timeline: 120-180 days

Examples of Tier 3 supports:

  • Initial Response Team (IRT)
  • Family Group Conferencing
  • Student Intervention Plans
  • Truancy intervention
  • Behavior management

Each service has specific objectives. We determine the best approach for delivery including meeting frequency, weekly focus areas, and monthly objective reviews tied to established goals.

What families and UCSD staff can expect

  • Goal trackers to establish clear objectives and monitor progress
  • On-going SSMV staff supervision to review all student cases
  • Individual assessment of skills and objectives to guide targeted support
  • Bi-weekly collaboration with school staff (attendance staff, parent liaisons, social workers, teachers) to review progress and adjust supports

Goal monitoring is a team effort

Youth Case Managers maintain detailed notes for each student, documenting goals and completed activities. Progress is reviewed weekly with supervisors and at least bi-weekly with appropriate school staff.

McKinney-Vento (Students and their families living in temporary housing/situations) Support

UCSD identifies students for this program and refers them to the SSMV McKinney-Vento Specialist who works with the student and family to support needs at school and provide community referrals to the family based on their needs.  For more information on this program, visit McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act | Families

2024-2025 Snapshot

  • 286 students/families referred to our McKinney-Vento Specialist

  • 261 mentored

  • 176 students/families received supplies (school items, clothing, snacks, hygiene items, cleaning products)

  • 42 families received a $100 grocery store gift card

  • 62 kindergarten – 6th graders participated in an 8-week book club to support through the challenges they face while living in temporary housing.

Professional Development for UCSD

SSMV provides professional development and staff training aligned to district needs, including:

  • Elements of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
  • De-escalation strategies
  • Conflict resolution techniques
  • Crisis support protocols
  • ICS 100 Incident Command Systems
  • ICS 200 Incident Command Systems
  • Restorative Practices & Circles

Our Youth Case Managers are Credible Messengers

Credible Messenger is a concept used nationally and in NYS as part of research and evidence-based practices. It is highly effective in transforming youth experience, behavior, and positive program outcomes.

Safe Schools Mohawk Valley is intentional about hiring staff with lived experience, believing that an authentic connection with students and their families begins with shared understanding. Our team brings a rich blend of professional expertise, specialized knowledge, and personal lived experience — creating a foundation of trust, empathy, and cultural relevance in everything we do. Ways we do this include staff who may:

  • Speak more than one language

  • Be an immigrant or refugee (or family members are)

  • Be a former delinquent or troubled youth who struggled in school

  • Be formerly involved in the justice system (themself or a family member)

  • Have struggled with drug or alcohol abuse (themself or family member)

  • Live in the neighborhoods of our students/families

  • Have a disability or raised a child with a disability (physical, mental, learning, etc.)

  • Relate to youth and/or family to build a significant relationship (culture, traditions, experiences, etc.)

What People Are Saying About SSMV UCSD System of Care

I overcame a lot of my anxiety and frustration issues. Being able to have someone like [SSMV Youth Case Manager] Mrs. G to talk to has helped me. I know I have a long way to go, but her encouragement helps me as well.

9th grade student

180-degree change with the student since the beginning of the year.  Thank you, SSMV, for all the hard work and dedication to helping the students be successful. 

Classroom Teacher

I am very proud of myself for chasing my goals and working on them. My Youth Case Manager has helped me a lot, and I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.

12th grade student

SSMV provides students with a stable foundation of care and concern for students’ academic and emotional needs.

Guidance Counselor