Our Spring 2015 issue of Astor Family Magazine is here. This issue highlights Astor’s strategy in positioning its programs, services and community outreach to be in the vanguard of the changing tide of children’s mental/behavioral health. We again bring you stories about our community, recipes, poetry and artwork.

Our Fall 2015 issue highlights Astor programs in the Bronx, our partnership with Bard College, fascinating articles about our community and much more! Community events, recipies, reviews, art and poetry.

“No family is completely immune to the potential need for the kind of help Astor gives children and families. An investment in Astor continues the process of binding this community resource to the people it serves in the Hudson Valley (which includes the Bronx).” writes Arthur Schiff in the new issue.

“We hope that this garden, in turn, will then help breathe a fresh life into the children of Astor who will get to enjoy it this growing season. We look forward to future endeavors with all our friends at Astor Services for Children & Families,”

said Les McCarthy, Notre Dame Club member.

Thank you Notre Dame Club of the Mid-Hudson Valley for your continued support during your Annual Hesburgh Month of Service! We know that our kids appreciate this garden!

Our latest issue of Astor Family Magazine is overflowing with fun and helpful content. You can find this issue available throughout our area, or read the online version here »

“My first visit to Astor left such an indelible impression that I remember it like it was yesterday. The kids’ artwork showed a desire for the basic things that many of us take for granted: a room of their own, a family, a hug. I was drawn in by a strong desire to help…” writes Theresa Dryfoos, Donor / Consultant, Astor Services for Children & Families, in the new issue.

On March 11, Deputy O’Brien from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office visited Ralph R. Smith in Hyde Park and brought along his partner, a Labrador Retriever, Libby. Libby is a specially trained K-9 that can sniff out accelerants (flammable liquids) that may have been used to cause a fire.

At the end of the presentation all children were able to meet Libby up close and even pet her.

“This was a great opportunity for our children to meet local law enforcement and learn about all the things police do, as well as give many children a chance to meet a friendly dog,” said Monica Lee, Hyde Park Head Start Head Teacher.

The kids in our Hyde Park Head Start Program were treated to a wonderful wildlife assembly called “A World of Animals.” Bill Robinson, wildlife expert, visited Ralph R. Smith Elementary School this January to introduce children to a wide array of animals.

Robinson showed the children a red tail hawk, horned owl, baby alligator and a snake.

“The kids had a blast! They were able to see the animals up close and personal and sat attentively for about forty minutes,” said Monica Lee, Hyde Park Head Start Head Teacher.

On the weekend of December 5, 2014, 250 children in our Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, along with their families, went to see “Sesame Street Live” at the Civic Center in Poughkeepsie.

All the children in our Head Start and Early Head Start programs come from low income families. Having a fun-filled day seeing Elmo and his friends was truly a dream come true for many.

“Families and children enjoyed and were grateful,” said the Early Childhood Center Director.

This past summer, Astor’s outpatient clinic and Adolescent Day Treatment programs were selected, from a competitive, national group of provider applicants, to participate with 28 other agencies in the National Council for Behavioral Health’s “Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse Initiative.”

A core group of leaders from Astor’s Hudson Valley Outpatient Clinics, the Highbridge Outpatient Clinic (in the Bronx), and the Adolescent and Middle School Day Treatment programs in the Hudson Valley, have been participating in a variety of programs.

Please join us in welcoming our new Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr. Renee Fillette, who will begin at Astor on December 8.

In her role as COO, Renee will focus on all issues related to the operation of agency programs, with the goal of providing more support to the programs.

We are excited to have Renee on board as our first COO!

On Monday, October 27, our friends from the National Youth Healing Center in South Korea came to visit for a second time. In September 2013, they were in the process of starting their own long-term residential program and Healing Camp. In January 2014, they developed a long-term residential program and short-term program. 

The Project Coordinator and translator, Sun-Won Min, along with five others spend the day inquring about Astor’s Residential Treatment Center and Therapeutic Boarding School in order to get a better sense of how we operate.

In 2014, AMHF celebrates ninety years of philanthropic service and activities—“Advancing Mental Health.”

Under the guidance of Dr. Suzanne Button, Astor Services for Children & Families performed a two-year control study of individuals with documented behavioral issues, between the ages of eight and fourteen, to identify factors and causes that could develop into later-life schizophrenia or other psychoses.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal Awards recognize and honor individuals who make a significant contribution to society in the arts, education, citizenship, philanthropy, community services, and other humanitarian concerns that reflect Mrs. Roosevelt’s ideals. This year’s ceremony is also a celebration of the 130th anniversary of her birthday.

“We feel privileged to do the work we do on behalf of vulnerable children and families, carrying on Eleanor Roosevelt’s life’s work to educate and care for the well-being of children and families” said Jim McGuirk, executive director/CEO, Astor Services.

The Rite Aid Foundation has helped Astor with a $10,000 grant, as part of their KidCents program.

You too can help Astor when shopping at Rite Aid! Every time wellness+ members round up their change and swipe their wellness+ card, Astor Services for Children & Families can receive funds to help enhance the health, happiness and wellness of deserving children.

Summer has come to a close and your children are headed back to school. They may have received their physical and dental check-ups, but have you considered the importance of them getting a mental health checkup?

Here at Astor, we offer free, confidential mental health screenings for children ages 2 through 21 residing in Ulster and Dutchess Counties. We believe these type of screenings are important for children. 

Checking on your child’s emotional health is just as important as having their vision and hearing tested or their yearly physical exam with your family doctor. By identifying emotional issues early, this program can help children get the support they may need.

Astor Services for Children and Families and the American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) have teamed up on an important research project on early identification and palliative care for psychotic disorders in children.

Find a report on this research here.

For too long, the stigma surrounding mental health has prevented many needing treatment from receiving it. Astor recognizes the importance of early intervention and diagnoses in reducing the severity of mental illness. That’s why Astor offers so many Outpatient Mental Health Clinics.

Learn how Astor is commemorating Mental Health Awareness Month.

Amazon recently launched AmazonSmile, a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to charity. This is an easy, effective way to help us do the work we do on behalf of children and families. Just select Astor as your charity of choice when shopping on Amazon!

Our Red Hook outpatient clinic will be moving to Hyde Park. Our last day of operation at the Red Hook location is today, March 28. We will open in Hyde Park on Monday, March 31.

We will be located within the Children’s Medical Group at 4252 Albany Post Rd, Suite 2 in the Park Plaza by the CVS. Our hours are Monday 9-5 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 9-8 pm, and Friday 9-5 pm.

For more information, contact the Hyde Park Clinic at (845) 233-5935 beginning Monday, March 31.

Preparing a child for school takes teamwork. That was the theme of the Mid-Hudson Valley Transition Forum, a daylong conference on early childhood education issues hosted by Astor Services for Children & Families on March 4.

About 150 teachers, child-care professionals and other educators attended the event at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.

Read further to find event documents and learn more about the forum.

More than 500 children enrolled in Astor’s Head Start programs in Dutchess County will be eligible for free dental checkups administered by New York University College of Dentistry Henry Schein Cares Global Student Outreach Programs, during the week of January 27. 

Mary Sontheimer, Assistant Executive Director, Astor’s Early Childhood Programs, said she and others involved in Astor’s Head Start programs are grateful to NYU College of Dentistry for offering the free service.