Akron Children’s Hires New Coordinator with Support from Covelli

AKRON, Ohio – Akron Children’s School Health Services has hired Nicholas Morio as its new community education outreach coordinator. 

Morio will work with Mahoning Valley, Akron and Canton area schools to educate teachers and staff on the impact childhood trauma can have on learning and help create positive classroom experiences where children can thrive, a news release states.

Morio’s hiring was supported by Covelli Enterprises of Warren, which has donated nearly $70,000 to mental and behavioral health services at Akron Children’s. Part of these funds were the result of the company’s inaugural Chip in for Children’s Mental Health campaign, in which proceeds from each Chocolate Chipper cookie sold at the 23 Covelli-owned and operated Panera Bread locations in Akron, Canton and the Mahoning Valley benefited the cause.

“There is a great need for mental and behavioral health services, especially among children and young adults,” said Sam Covelli, owner of Covelli Enterprises. “At Covelli Enterprises, we see it as our duty to support organizations that are at the forefront of addressing this critical need within our local communities, such as Akron Children’s. We are proud to partner with Akron Children’s to expand this vital program and are eager to see the incredible impact Nicholas has on our educators and students.”

Akron Children’s School Health Services works to raise awareness of and elevate education around trauma and its impact on children and families through a trauma-informed Social and Emotional Learning initiative, led by school-based coach Missy McClain.

Morio will join McClain to serve Akron Children’s local school partners and will provide the following services:

• Ongoing training, specific classroom planning and support for teachers and school administrators. 

• Group professional development that will build staff understanding of the social and emotional needs of students and the evidence-based practices that can increase student engagement, reduce negative student behaviors, improve staff satisfaction and more.

“Trauma can happen to anyone, but we can help our children cope and build resilience,” McClain said. “We need to ensure all students belong in a safe and welcoming school community. It’s about giving the teacher as much support and as many tools as possible to help them meet the social and emotional needs of students every day. The more a student is in the classroom, attending school regularly, building connections with positive adults and feeling that they belong in their classrooms, the more they will learn, thrive and maintain physical and mental health.”

Pictured at top: Nicholas Morio, Akron Children’s School Health Services’ new community education outreach coordinator.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.