About.
Leru Service .
We are a community-based school support agency helping schools build stronger systems around students, families, and staff.
We work alongside school leaders, staff, students, and families to reduce incidents, strengthen relationships, build staff capacity, and create more responsive learning environments. Through counseling, family engagement, paraprofessional training, student resources, and AssessED by LERU, we help schools move from reaction to earlier, more informed support.
Our Services
Mental Health Counseling
We provide student-centered, culturally responsive, school-based mental health counseling and student support services that help identify emotional, behavioral, and social challenges before they escalate.
The Family Institute
LERU helps schools engage parents and caregivers as partners in student success. Through practical workshops and family-centered programming, we equip families with tools to support student behavior, communication, and emotional wellness.
Paraprofessional Training
We train paraprofessionals and school support staff to better understand student needs, respond to challenging behaviors, support classroom routines, and strengthen their role within the school community.
Our Purpose
LERU was built on the belief that students should not have to reach a crisis before their needs are seen. Our purpose is to help schools recognize what students are carrying, reduce preventable incidents, and create stronger support around the whole child.
Our Model
We help schools respond to student needs across the areas that shape success: classroom behavior, family engagement, and staff readiness. Through counseling, trainings and workshops, books, and AssessED by LERU, we connect services into one practical school support system.
Our Difference
LERU works alongside NYC schools as a community-based support partner, helping leaders address student needs before they become larger challenges. Our model brings together human support, family connection, staff development, and whole-child insight so schools can respond with clarity, consistency, and care.
Your Why
Because your school needs more than another program. You need a partner that understands students, supports families, equips staff, and helps your team act before small concerns become larger challenges.
Leadership.
Founded by a licensed social worker who understands students, families, and the realities schools face every day.
Sharlene LeGendre
Sharlene LeGendre, LCSW, is the Founder and CEO of LERU Multi Service Agency and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience supporting students, families, and school communities. Her work combines clinical expertise, educational leadership, and a deep commitment to helping schools respond to student needs with care, structure, and insight. Through LERU, Sharlene leads a trusted M/WBE school support agency providing mental health counseling, family engagement, paraprofessional training, student resources, curricula, and AssessED by LERU. Her mission is to help schools see students sooner, strengthen families, build staff capacity, and create support systems where every child has the opportunity to thrive.