• C.A.T.S. is a therapeutic after-school program designed to help improve the social skills of elementary and middle school-aged children ages 7-12 years old.
• The C.A.T.S. program includes play-based group therapy, art therapy, therapeutic recreational activities, and family support services.
• C.A.T.S. services are provided at no cost to participating families.
• Referrals are accepted from parents, schools, and other community agencies.

SERVICES

• C.A.T.S. targets social, emotional, and developmental issues which impact each child’s development and growth.
• The C.A.T.S. curriculum is based on The Second Step Program which helps children to develop empathy, gain greater impulse control, practice problem solving methods, as well as increase their frustration tolerance through anger management and relaxation training.
• C.A.T.S. groups are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the academic school year.   Fridays are for youth on the autism spectrum.  C.A.T.S. Groups take place at 321 East Ridgewood Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652
• The program follows the Bergen County Special Services school district’s holiday, vacation, and school closing schedules.   

GETTING STARTED AT C.A.T.S.

• The first step of the treatment process is a phone screening with the parent/caregiver to determine a child’s ability to benefit from the C.A.T.S. program.
• If a child seems appropriate for the C.A.T.S. program, an intake interview is scheduled with the parent/caregiver. During this process, the therapist collects detailed information about the child and the family.

Eligibility	Referrals are accepted from parents, schools, and other community agencies.
Age Groups	Children Adolescents
Community Services	Family & Support Services Family Support
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Behavioral Mental Health
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Creative Arts Therapy Play Therapy Social Skills

Last Updated: 08/10/23