Doorway to Learning in Sturgeon Bay will be launching its Social Emotional Intelligence (SEI) programming on June 9th. The program will initially serve ages 2 through 4 and help children to build self-regulation skills, overcome challenging behaviors, and to understand sensory overload. This addition helps to bridge the center’s hope of bringing awareness to children’s mental health in Door County.
“I think we’re taking a bigger step in advocating for their mental health and ultimately becoming a part of helping children to navigate mental health issues,” said Kayla Lehman, the business administrator for Doorway to Learning.
Doorway to Learning will offer these valuable support services and specialized social-emotional guidance to enrolled children on-site. Dana Stephenson, who is the current lead Head Start Teacher at Doorway to Learning, will merge into her new role as the center’s Youth Support Specialist and lead the SEI program.
“The primary goal is to help kids that have big emotions and challenging behaviors and help them to understand some of the things they are feeling and to find solutions that can happen in classrooms to help them overcome those big feelings,” said Lehman.
The program was awarded funding by the Mental Health Support Fund through the Door County Community Foundation and additional assistance has been provided by the Community Investment Grant from the United Way of Door County.
“We’re really excited about this program,” said Lehman, “we think our Social Emotional Intelligence program is going to benefit, not just the children while they are enrolled at Doorway to Learning, it’s going to benefit them for their entire life.”
The program takes on an individualized approach and is tailored to each child and Lehman said it will further inspire communication between families and ultimately provide the necessary tools for a child to have a healthy support system and strong mental health.
For more information in the program, visit the Doorway to Learning Facebook page or call (920) 818-0877.
Photo credit: Doorway to Learning
Image: (Left to right) Amanda Brooker, Philanthropic Services Officer at Door County Community Foundation, presents a check to Dana Stephenson, the new Family and Youth Support Specialist at Doorway to Learning.
