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Astor Services "In the Press"

Press clippings about Astor Services for Children & Families.

Astor Receives $180K Grant from the Tiger Foundation

citybizlist - January 5, 2021

 

Astor Services for Children & Families has received a $180,000 grant from the Tiger Foundation to provide services to its clients and to address unmet needs in the Bronx due to COVID-19, through a systemic screening program. This program will identify students and families in need; ensure that referrals and services are being provided in a timely manner; and that these services are positively impacting the well-being of clients.

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Supporting Children

Catholic New York - December 16, 2020

Yvette BairanAs we enter the 10th month of the Covid-19 pandemic, parents and caregivers continue to face challenges in childcare, homeschooling and disruptions of routines. This is a difficult time for adults, but what about children and adolescents? Parents’ stress in coping with the pandemic can negatively affect their children’s mental and emotional health. In addition, children may feel isolated and are likely to be missing opportunities for social connection and exercise through in-person schooling, clubs, leagues, teams and their faith communities.

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Shop online, help support causes and institutions near and far

Poughkeepsie Journal - November 30, 2020

Child's paintingHere are some suggestions for online shopping, just in time for Cyber Monday or any time thereafter, that will help a cause — arts institutions, wildlife programs, nonprofits.

These purchases can help keep communities vibrant, while offering a meaningful gift to a special person on your holiday list:

‘Coping with Covid’
Children in the expressive arts program at Dutchess County, New York’s Astor Services for Children & Families create colorful works of art including prints with the theme “Coping with Covid,” starting at $25. 

Go: astorservices.org/products-page/

 

More coverage:
Currier Post
Burlington County Times

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Help Bring Joy to a Child This Holiday Season Through Astor’s Adopt-A-Family Program

CityBiz - November 1, 2020

Jayden with gift

Help Bring Joy to a Child This Holiday Season Through Astor’s Adopt-A-Family Program – Astor’s Annual Program Spreads Holiday Cheer to Local Children and Families in Need

More coverage:
KISSFM
WRWD
Daily Freeman
CityBiz

Click here to read a PDF version of this story »

Jennifer Brody discusses kids' mental health

Hudson Valley Parent - November 9, 2020

Dr. BrodyJennifer Brody, Psy.D. of Astor Services for Children & Families answers key questions that parents ask about their children’s mental health during the pandemic.

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Free Back to School Screening and Referral Program Offered by Astor

CityBizList - October 8, 2020

Teacher and Student

In response to the current needs of students and families as they resume in-person and hybrid schooling, Astor Services for Children & Families has launched a back to school screening initiative. The program is available completely free of charge to schools in the Bronx and aimed at helping children from Pre-K to grade 12.

This screening initiative helps schools address the current needs of students and families as they return to school, focusing on parenting stress, behavioral health and children’s and families’ overall well-being. Social and economic factors including food insecurities, housing, access to medical care and to technology are all factors that can impact mental health.

 

Additional Coverage:
Patch

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Todd Karlin promoted to chief program officer

Daily Freeman - August 23, 2020

Astor Services for Children & Families has appointed Todd Karlin as chief program officer. 

Karlin will have oversight of all agency programs. An employee of Astor since September 2002, Karlin previously served as assistant executive director of clinical services, where he oversaw the agencies’ clinical programming in the Bronx and the Hudson Valley.

 

Additional coverage:
Mid Hudson News.com
Pacth.com
Philanthropy.com

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Golf Outing Benefitting Astor Services to be Held September 1

CityBizList - August 25, 2020

Golf attendeesIn lieu of its annual Stenberg Golf Tournament, which was postponed due to Covid-19, Astor Services for Children & Families’ volunteer Golf Committee will be hosting a Golf Outing to benefit the nonprofit on September 1, 2020 at The Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY. Event proceeds will go towards securing personal protective equipment (PPE) for Astor’s frontline workers, as well as back-to-school kits for children served by the organization. Tee times, beginning at 8 a.m., will be assigned upon registration.

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How’s That Strategic Plan Going?

Open Minds - August 6, 2020

The session, “So, How’s That 2020 Strategic Plan Going” provided some great perspectives from the field including Yvette Bairan, chief executive officer of Astor Services. Jeff Silverman, chief marketing and sales officer of Qualifacts and the session moderator, opened with the results of a new national survey conducted by Qualifacts and the National Council For Behavioral Health.

Some key takeaways—an estimated 60% of behavioral health services are being delivered virtually right now and 64% of provider organization executives reported a decrease in revenue due to the pandemic. And, 70% of responding executives believe that a large proportion of services will continue to be virtual after the pandemic ends. However, executives identified the need for state and federal regulatory changes to allows services to continue to be delivered by video and audio platforms with the expanded definition of eligible consumer locations.

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Yvette Bairan Appointed Board Member of COFCCA

city biz list - July 31, 2020

Yvette BairanAstor Services for Children & Families’ new CEO, Yvette Bairan, was appointed Board member of COFCCA (Council of Families and Child Caring Agencies), a New York City-based nonprofit that offers leadership, voice, and vision to the private nonprofit agencies that provide the vast majority of child welfare and juvenile justice services in New York. She also was appointed co-chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee for New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health, an organization that provides policy, advocacy, and services to its members.

 

Additional coverage:
Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce

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What Families Can Do to Adjust to the Hudson Valley’s New Normal

Hudson Valley Magazine - June 9, 2020


The Hudson Valley is on the path to reopening.

Yet for families living in self-isolation in the region, life during the COVID-19 crisis isn’t any easier. With a full reopening slated for early July at best, Hudson Valleyites are stuck living in closer quarters than ever before. It’s a challenging time of life and one that impacts adults and children alike. Plus, with many summer camps on hold for the season and schools implementing online formats, the next few months are looking quite a bit different from those sweet Hudson Valley summers of days past.

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Astor Learning Center Designated as School of Excellence for Third Consecutive Year

Citybizlist - June 3, 2020

 

Astor Learning Center

Photo by Joel Weisbrod

For the third consecutive year, Astor Services for Children & Families announced that its Astor Learning Center, located in Rhinebeck, NY, was selected as a 2020-2021 National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) School of Excellence. Serving thousands of children and families throughout the Bronx and Hudson Valley,the nonprofit offers residential and early childhood programs, community-based behavioral health and prevention services.

 

Additional Coverage:
Dutchess County Regional Chamber

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Mental health needs and challenges are growing

Daily Freeman - May 22, 2020

Though times has a different meaning these days, and we’re all living in what feels like an alternate reality, the month of May is, in fact, Mental Health Awareness Month. And while we’ve heard much about the physical side effects and economic fallout from COVID-19, there’s a quieter, more insidious downside to the pandemic: Anxiety, stress, and depression are on the rise.

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In the Era of COVID-19: Foster Care and Managing Children in the System

giveinkind.com - May 19, 2020

boy with magnifying glassMay is National Foster Care Month. The purpose of this awareness month is to help everyone to identify the need to recognize the unique challenges of children in foster care (either in a residential setting or in a home setting) and identify concrete measures we can take to be helpful.

Although the needs of children in foster care are intense and unrelenting in the course of any year, the element of COVID-19 has introduced additional unstable variables. COVID-19 amplifies many of the pre-existing challenges which create the need for foster care in the first place. In sum, the purpose of National Foster Care Month is to underscore the fact that a child welfare system can and should prioritize temporary foster care as a service to families – even while family reunification remains the long-term goal in situations where this is possible.

Give InKind spoke to Richmond Arce, Senior Manager of Events and Public Relations for Astor Services for Children and Families. The mission of Astor is to provide behavioral health and education services offering the children the opportunity to meet life’s challenges, pursue their dreams, and reach their full potential. Astor serves a range of children from acute in-patient residential treatment programs, to head start academic support and other therapeutic offerings for a broad swath of New York State.

How To Help A Loved One In The Foster To Adopt System

Giveinkind.com - March 1, 2020

The nature of foster care is to provide a temporary safe place for a child to reside. Although a goal of foster care is to return a child to a family of origin, in some cases this is not possible if/when parental rights have been terminated. In circumstances such as these, often, older children need a permanent home. For some children in longer-term foster care, their existing foster parents wish to adopt them.

After being a foster parent for almost a year, I was afforded an opportunity to adopt the child in my care. Having a support network was very important. My co-workers, family, and friends all came together to not only offer their congratulations but also to “shower” my new child and my family. Some very thoughtful gifts we received were restaurant and movie theatre gift cards, as well as certificates to family-themed entertainment, such as a water park.

Give InKind is honored to feature Angela Trento Sommella, Home Finding Supervisor, Therapeutic Foster Boarding Program of Astor Services for Children & Families.

 

Learn more about Astor’s Therapeutic Foster Boarding Program.

 

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Tips for Helping Children Cope with Crisis Anxiety

This is The Bronx - April 15, 2020

Tips For Helping Children Cope With Anxiety During Crisis

 

by Dr. James McGuirk

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, adults are facing new, unique challenges in their everyday lives. Adjustments have been made to schedules, jobs, finances, and childcare – which demands focused attention all day, every day. These changes, and change in general, can lead to stress and anxiety. Children’s lives have been disrupted as well, but they deal with anxiety in very different ways. Learn tips to help children cope with their anxiety.

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Push From Virus Spurs Telehealth Remedy at Astor Services

Catholic New York - April 8, 2020

Astor Services for Children and Families offers a broad array of mental health, behavioral health, and educational services for children and families in the Bronx and the Hudson Valley.

Astor Services, almost overnight, was able to roll out dramatically new ways of reaching its clients literally without skipping a beat. Naturally, in these times, the emergence of the coronavirus played a significant role in the changes. As the virus was forcing the closure of many businesses last month, Astor Services was able to quickly pivot from mental health clinical services done on a face-to-face basis to telehealth services now provided primarily through Zoom conferences, FaceTime and phone. The change kept clients and staff, working remotely, safe and secure while needed services were uninterrupted.

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Stand Up to Bullies

Hudson Valley Parent - February 26, 2020

The problem of bullying and what to do about it

Bullying is a serious, pervasive issue. Manifesting in a variety of ways, bullying can include verbally teasing, name-calling, threatening or taunting someone; physically harming a person or their property, as well as socially isolating someone by excluding them; alienating them from peers or starting negative rumors.

The most important thing parents can do when they suspect something is wrong is to talk with and listen to their children. Check-in frequently and ask them how they are feeling.

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Astor Appoints Yvette Bairan as CEO

Citybizlist - January 6, 2020

Astor Services for Children & Families has appointed Yvette Bairan as its chief Yvette Bairanexecutive officer (CEO) effective January 6, 2020. Ms. Bairan has been serving as interim CEO of Astor, after former CEO, James McGuirk, PhD., stepped into a new role as president of The Children’s Foundation of Astor in July 2019.

 

Additional Coverage:

Catholic NY
Catholic New York online
Mid Hudson News
Hudson Valley Press
Living Rhinebeck
Dutchess County Regional Chamber
Poughkeepsie Journal BottomLine

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Astor Services honored as Organization of the Year

Mid Hudson News - January 15, 2020

Astor Services for Children & Families and Hudson Valley Hospice have been named as the MLK 2020: Organizations of the Year by Catharine Street Community Center (CSCC), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and coordinating educational, health and cultural programming that enriches and enhances the lives of individuals, children, and families in Dutchess County. 

“We are honored to have been selected for this award by the Catharine Street Community Center,” said Sonia Barnes-Moorhead, executive vice president of the Children’s Foundation of Astor. “Astor proudly serves the Hudson Valley and Bronx communities by providing direct support to children and families who need it most, and we strive to uphold the highest level of inclusivity, diversity, and care.”

Additional Coverage:

Citybizlist
Daily Freeman
Dutchess County Regional Chamber
Hudson Valley News
Northern Dutchess News
Poughkeepsie Journal BottomLine 

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"In The News" Archive

Astor Names New Board Chairman: James M. Raimo Sr

Poughkeepsie Journal - December 24, 2014

"The Astor family feels very fortunate to have Jim as our new board chairman. He brings not only a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to this position, but his dedication to, and compassion for the children and families we serve are at the core of all his hard work on our behalf, and for this we are especially grateful,"
said Jim McGuirk, Ph.D., CEO, Astor Services for Children & Families.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Elects Raimo Board Chair

New York Nonprofit Press - December 15, 2014

New York Non Profit Press' coverage of Jim Raimo as Astor's new board chair.

Upon his appointment, Raimo said, “It’s an honor to work with my fellow Board members to support the dedicated staff at Astor. The wonderful, life-changing work that Astor does with children and families helps make our communities stronger. I am honored to be able to serve as Board Chair for this organization that is changing so many lives.”

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Fillette New COO at Astor Services for Children & Families

New York Nonprofit Press - December 8, 2014

New York Non Profit Press' coverage of Dr. Fillette joining Astor as our first COO.

Upon her appointment, Fillette said she is “looking forward to having the opportunity to apply and build on lessons learned from my previous appointments, and bringing that experience to Astor, an organization that for over 60 years has been dedicated to the well-being of children and families in our community.”

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Grace Smith House Director Leaving to be Astor COO

Poughkeepsie Journal - November 19, 2014

Poughkeepsie Journal reports Renee Fillette will be joining Astor as our new COO.

"What I'm really looking forward to is the opportunity to bring the unique lessons learned from working in the field of domestic violence ... into an organization that serves such a diverse array of children and families in our community," she said.

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Astor Selected for National "Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse" 

New York Nonprofit Press - November 19, 2014

New York Nonprofit Press' coverage of Astor being one of 29 agencies to participate in the National Council for Behavioral Health's "Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse Initiative."

At the end of the initiative, provider staff in participating Astor programs will have fine-tuned their ability to screen middle school and high school youth in their care, provide brief intervention when youth screen positively for substance use, and build strong referral relationships to specialty substance abuse treatment providers for youth who require more intensive intervention.

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VIDEO: Val-kill Award Winners Honor Eleanor Roosevelt's Example

Poughkeepsie Journal - October 19, 2014

play video

"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 and to ensure that all children have a childhood,"

said James McGuirk, executive director/CEO.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Val-Kill Awards to Honor 6 on Oct. 19

Poughkeepsie Journal - September 20, 2014

Poughkeepsie Journal's pre-coverage of The Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal Awards.

Astor lives up to the promise of Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides that "everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family."

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Six to Receive Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal

Hudson Valley Press - September 17, 2014

"On behalf of the children, board and staff of Astor, we are honored to be the recipient of the 2014 Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal Award along with the other distinguished award recipients. 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 and to ensure that all children have a childhood,"

said Jim McGuirk, executive director/CEO, Astor Services for Children & Families.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Services, Nobel Laureate, Former Ambassador Among Winners

Daily Freeman - September 10, 2014

Astor Services, Nobel laureate, former ambassador among winners of 2014 Val-Kill Medals. The Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill will present the awards Oct. 19 during a ceremony and luncheon at the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park.

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Free Screenings to be Offered at Fair

Poughkeepsie Journal - August 19, 2014

Poughkeepsie Journal's briefing of Astor's upcoming Development Screenings at the Dutchess County Fair.

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Astor Celebrates Children's Awards Day

Hudson Valley Insider - June 24, 2014

Hudson Valley Insider's coverage of Children's Awards Day.

Astor to Celebrate Children's Awards Day

The Harlem Valley News - June 18, 2014

The Harlem Valley News' pre-coverage of Children's Awards Day.

Bronx’s "Little Red Schoolhouse" Helps Troubled Toddlers

NY1 News - December 23, 2014

Santos Wainwright can now hold a five-minute conversation at a Christmas party with his son Jayden in his arms, but about a year ago, that would not have been possible.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

[VIDEO] Cowpokes Dance, Raise Funds for Astor

Poughkeepsie Journal - May 10, 2014

find video here

Astor Services for Children & Families holds a linedance in Rhinebeck. Video by Darryl Bautista

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Taxes at Work: Child Care Subsidies to Increase 7%

Poughkeepsie Journal - May 9, 2014

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Astor Services Gets $50,000 Grant For Health Screenings

Poughkeepsie Journal - April 28, 2014

"Many of these children would typically not have access to mental health screening (though there is a need as our data has shown) for many reasons, the primary being the stigma that is associated with going to an outpatient mental health facility," said Konstantinos (Gus) Tsoubris, Ph.D., associate executive director, Astor's Community-Based Behavioral Health and Prevention Services.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Poughkeepsie Head Start Center Recovers from Budget Cuts

Poughkeepsie Journal - April 25, 2014

Center Director Elizabeth Strelchun said the center provides children a warm, nurturing environment, in addition to health services — such as checkups and eyesight tests — and hot meals."If we have budget cuts, (the children) miss out," Strelchun said.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Cabaret for a Cause

The Bronx Free Press - April 23, 2014

The Bronx Free Press' coverage of Astor's upcoming Cabaret event on April 26, 2014.

"The seeds for Cabaret for a Cause were sown when Hickey, always a fan of music and theater, decided to overcome her fear of performing in public by taking a singing class."

Astor Gets $50K for Health Integration

New York Non-Profit Press - March 6, 2014

The Alfred E. Smith grant will support the integration of physical and behavioral health screening for low-income children, ages 2 – 21, in Dutchess County.

Astor Gets $250K Robin Hood Grant for Transitions Program

New York Nonprofit Press - February 26, 2014

Robin Hood’s support over the past several years has helped children with serious emotional problems transition from Astor's Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development and its Early Childhood Day Treatment Program to public school as well as allowed them to capture data that shows the impact Astor is making on the lives of these children and their families. Robin Hood’s continued support will allow Astor to continue this very important work.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor hosts ‘Preparing a Child for School Takes Teamwork’

Daily Freeman - February 20, 2014

150 teachers, child-care professionals and other educators from Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties will attend the daylong conference to explore ways to help children get ready for kindergarten.

Agency's Annual Adopt-A-Family Program Reaches More than 1,500

The Observer - January 15, 2014

Generous donations from individuals, schools, youth groups, churches and businesses helped to make the holidays warmer and merrier for more than 1,500 children and parents through the 2013 Adopt-A-Family Program run by Astor Services for Children & Families in Rhinebeck.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Dutchess Day School Brings the Holidays to Astor Families

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - December 17, 2013

Astor Services for Children and Familes, Rhinebeck, provides support for childen and their families throughout the mid-Hudson Valley. The agency is seeking donors for its annual Adopt-A-Family program to ensure these children have an enjoyable holiday season. Last year, Adopt-A-Family served more than 1,000 individuals.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Hosts St. Nick's Holiday Fair

Daily Freeman - November 29, 2013

Specialty crafts, raffles, gift baskets, baked goods and other hand-made items will be on sale Dec. 8 at Astor Services for Children & Families’ annual St. Nick’s Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6339 Mill St.

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Adopt-A-Family Program Underway

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - November 25, 2013

Astor Services for Children and Familes, Rhinebeck, provides support for childen and their families throughout the mid-Hudson Valley. The agency is seeking donors for its annual Adopt-A-Family program to ensure these children have an enjoyable holiday season. Last year, Adopt-A-Family served more than 1,000 individuals.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Raises Awareness with Family Fun Day

Hudson Valley Press Online - September 18, 2013

The Hudson Valley Press Online coverage of Astor's Family Fun Day event held on September 14, 2013.

"It’s remarkable how many lives are affected by mental illness and because of the stigma, it’s not really discussed until there is a full-blown crisis." said Trish Luchnick, Director for Family Driven Care at Astor Services for Children & Families.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Event to Provide Free Screenings, Mental Health Information

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - September 11, 2013

Astor Services for Children & Families will host a free Family Fun Day with interactive games and live entertainment Saturday in the City of Poughkeepsie, the organization said.

The event will be held at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is part of a nationwide mental health anti-stigma campaign, said Sonia Barnes Moorhead, a spokeswoman for Astor, a Rhinebeck-based non-profit organization that provides mental health and child welfare services, and early childhood development programs.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Highlights Sequestrations Cuts to Head Start

New York Nonprofit Press - September 9, 2013

Astor Services for Children and Families displayed 118 empty seats outside their Head Start program in Poughkeepsie yesterday. They represented the 86 Dutchess County children who lost opportunities to participate Head Start and Early Head Start this year – and the 22 employees who lost their jobs -- as a result of Federal "Sequestration" budget cuts.

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Cutbacks Go Deep at Head Start

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - September 10, 2013

According to Mary Sontheimer, assistant executive director, budget cuts were enacted when a deadline for adopting the federal budget passed last April, which triggered sequester reductions for various federal programs. In Dutchess, the cut resulted in a $340,000 reduction in funding, which meant that 86 children would lose monetary support, Sontheimer said.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Hold Event To Support Head Start Programs

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - September 9, 2013

Eighty-six empty chairs were displayed outside of the Poughkeepsie Head Start Center of Astor Services For Children & Families today to symbolize the number of Dutchess County children who have lost their positions in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Services Gets $150,000 Grant

Daily Freeman - July 27, 2013

Kingston Daily Freeman coverage of Astor's $150,000 Grant from the Dyson Foundation.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Hospital Welcomes New Board Members

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - July 25, 2013

The Poughkeepsie Journal covers the appointment of Astor's Assistant Executive Director Edward Pruitt to the board of Northern Dutchess Hospital.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Dyson Foundation Gives $150K Grant to Astor Services

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - July 23, 2013

The Poughkeepsie Journal reports on Astor's Grant award from the Dyson Foundation.

"Dyson's support of the bilingual PIE supplements this county program by enhancing much needed services to a specific group of the community"

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Early Head Start Honored

New York Nonprofit Press - June 2013

The New York Nonprofit Press reports that Astor Services for Children & Familes' Early Head Start Program was honored with an award from the New York State National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Notre Dame Choir Visits CIA; will Perform at Saint Kateri Friday

Poughkeepsie Jourmal - May 30, 2013

The Notre Dame choir will also perform a benefit concert Friday at 7 p.m. at the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Roman Catholic Church in LaGrangeville. Proceeds will benefit the Notre Dame Club of the Mid-Hudson Valley, a service organization, Astor Services for Children and Families, and Catholic Charities.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

DiMotta, Doherty & Pruitt Named Assistant EDs at Astor

New York Nonprofit Press - February 7, 2013

Astor Service for Children and Families has appointed Rod DiMotta, Ph.D., Assistant Executive Director, Bronx Behavioral Health & Prevention Programs; Sheila Doherty, PsyD., Assistant Executive Director, Residential Programs; and Ed Pruitt, Assistant Executive Director, Public Policy and Organizational Development. These appointments are a result of retirements.

WPIX Reporter Magee Hickey Channels Her Mom to Honor Her Father

Fishbowl NY - January 28, 2013

Fishbowl NY interviewed Magee Hickey about her upcoming participation in our Third Annual Cabaret. She, as well as her collegues, will perform live in New York City on Saturday, February 8, 2013.

“Because we’re all used to live shots and anchoring newscasts, we know how to ad lib,” Hickey says. “We know how to be on stage. We know the point of it isn’t to be the most perfect singer. It’s just to have a good time and raise money for a good cause."

Click here to read about the Third Annual Cabaret.

John Jay Seniors Deliver Joy

Poughkeepsie Journal - January 23, 2013

The Poughkeepsie Journal covered the amazing volunteer work John Jay High School Seniors did to bring joy to the children in our Residential Treatment Program. We are incredibly thankful for all the work they put in to make the holiday season special for everyone!

“The event went better than expected. We had twice the number of children to buy for this year so we were worried about getting enough gifts for all, but we were able to get all of their requested gifts and then some,” said senior-class co-adviser Alyson Dodge.

Former Head Start Student Wins Silver Medal

Poughkeepsie Journal - August 11, 2012

Brigetta Barret wins silver medalBrigetta Barrett, former student at Astor's Head Start Program in Beacon, NY, currently in her senior year at Arizona State University won the silver medal in the High Jump event at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Barrett’s medal is the first for anyone to spend 10 or more years in Dutchess or Ulster county since Hyde Park’s Patrick Manning won a silver medal in rowing in 1992 in Barcelona. Four others share that distinction.

“I’m not going to lie; I kind of blacked out” attempting 6-8, Barrett said. “I was very scared. I know this is what we do, and people don’t really expect us to be afraid of a bar. There’s a moment between step seven and eight where I have to decide if I’m really going to go for this jump or not. I was just like go for it and trust yourself and trust God. I put my foot down and closed my eyes and when I hit that mat without hitting the bar, I was like, ‘Thank you Jesus.” - Brigetta Barret

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Evidence-based Focus Drives Children's Treatment, Says Dr. Button

Behavioral Healthcare - April 16, 2012

Suzanne Button, PhD, assistant executive director at Astor Services for Children and Families, described how her agency employed evidence-based practices (EBPs) to improve outcomes and change the culture.

All of Astor’s clinical sites are now using practices that have evidence of success in scientific literature behind them.

They also have seen an increase in employee satisfaction, according to Button.

“People now ask for research, they ask for outcomes, they ask for a practice that works,” Button said.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Magee Hickey to Host a Cabaret

Good News Planet - April 18, 2012

magee hickey stageMagee Hickey and the Astor Cabaret get coverage on Good News Planet. You can read the coverage HERE.

More photos here: View photos from the Cabaret event.

Astor's Cabaret Event Takes the Stage

PIX 11 - April 14, 2012

Dr McGuirk & the Hickey FamilyCoverage of Astor's 2nd Annual Come to the Cabaret Event on PIX 11 News at Six.

View the WPIX video here!

Click here for more PHOTOS from the Cabaret!

Magee Hickey & Astor's NYC Cabaret Featured In The NY Daily News

New York Daily News - April 2, 2012

Magee Hickey w/ photo of Lawrence F. HickeyOn April 14, Magee Hickey will host another annual event in her father's honor, a cabaret featuring nearly two dozen New York television reporters and personalities singing, dancing and generally trying to trip the light fantastic for a good cause.

In this Daily News article, Magee speaks about her father Lawrence F. Hickey, and the legacy he left behind.

Lawrence Hickey was "a great father, a great husband, a great son, a great nephew," who didn't even start volunteering until he was 57 years old.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Get complete event details and order tickets here!

Astor's Own Dr. Joan DiBlasi Has No Plans to Retire Soon

New York Daily News - December 1, 2011

Bronx social worker and ‘lifetime learner’ Joan DiBlasi has no plans to retire soon:

"Keeping children at home with their families becomes a major goal. When I first started, the whole philosophy of care was to relocate people from urban areas into suburban areas. Now, we’re really looking at the community to provide the resources to keep the family together."

said DiBlasi, Astor's Assistant Executive Director for Bronx Community-Based Mental Health & Prevention Programs.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Daily Freeman Features Dr. Suzanne Button on Suicide Prevention

The Daily Freeman - November 13, 2011

The Daily Freeman features a young man's story and Astor's own Dr. Button on suicide prevention with young people.

"What we were finding was that suicide rates were starting to uptick nationally and regionally as well,"

Button said Wednesday at her home in Red Hook.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Services Wins Dutchess Business Excellence Award

Poughkeepsie Journal - September 11, 2011

Astor Services for Children & Families has been named winner of the Business Excellence Award for nonprofits by the Dutchess County Economic Development Corp.

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Astor Presses Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Issue

Finding Out With Pete and Ellen - June 13, 2011

Astor has been unrelenting in speaking out on the issue of teen suicide prevention. In this "Speaking Out" radio program, Dr. Suzanne Button continues to advocate for greater awareness, while sharing important information that everyone should learn.

"Astor's mission is to make people realize that emotional struggles are not to be judged; families and kids are to be helped and supported — just walk in."

Listen to the interview and read a summary on our website.

Youth Suicide Prevention Needs Added Awareness

Poughkeepsie Journal - May 5, 2011

Article in The Poughkeepsie Journal written by Astor's Dr. Suzanne Button, Dr. Alice Linder and Dr. Paul Bulman on spreading youth suicide prevention awareness.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Experts Speak About Teen Suicide Prevention

CUNY TV - April 20, 2011

In this Segment of CUNY-TV's Independent Sources, Astor Services' Andrew Kuntz and William Murray are interviewed. They discuss Astor's approach to Teen Suicide Prevention, and the prevalence of Teen Suicide in the Latina population.

"Figures from the CDC show that one in six Latinas attempt suicide between the ages of 11 and 17."

View the segment and read about this story on our website

Astor's Child Abuse Prevention Programs in Spotlight

News 12 The Bronx TV - April 14, 2011

Astor's Andy Kuntz spoke with News 12 The Bronx TV on the subject of child abuse prevention in this piece spotlighting Astor during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Read about this coverage and watch the video HERE.

Hudson Valley Radio Program on Teen Suicide

WAMC Radio - April 12, 2011

Greg Fry, Hudson Valley Bureau Chief of WAMC Northeast Public Radio reports on a teen suicide in Irvington, NY. Astor's Dr. Jim McGuirk supplies information on the prevalence of teen suicide in our country.

"One in seven kids have had serious suicidal ideation, one in ten kids have made a suicide plan, and one in fourteen kids have made a suicide attempt requiring medical attention."

Read this story about a Hudson Valley teen suicide and listen to the piece here.

Rep. Hinchey Speaks Out Against Proposed Head Start Cuts

Poughkeepsie Journal - March 14, 2011

Coverage of Rep. Hinchey's visit and lecture at Astor's Head Start Program.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor/DCRCC Youth and Teen Suicide Prevention Event

The Poughkeepsie Journal - March 3, 2011

Astor Services for Children & Families and Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the 8th Annual Public Policy Breakfast, on Teen and Youth Suicide Prevention with Speaker M. David Rudd, Ph.D., ABPP. Read P'kpsie Journal coverage of the event here.

Click here to read a PDF version of this article.

WABC-TV New York Features Astor Christmas Party

WABC-TV New York - December 27, 2010

Coverage of Astor's Christmas party for children and families served by the Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development.

"When children have the opportunity to just be children ... cherished memories are created and lives can be transformed"

View the video and read about this event here

Astor Services Opens Youth Center

Bronx Times-Reporter Inc. - November 6, 2010

The Bronx-Times-Reporter coverage of the opening of Astor's new children's mental health center "Astor at Highbridge" at 1419 Shakespeare Avenue in the Bronx. The center now offers an outpatient clinic for children and adolescents ages 2 to 21. The range of services offered includes counseling, case management, and pyshciatric services.

Click to read a PDF version of this story.

Our full coverage also includes video from News 12 The Bronx

WWRL Radio Interview, Dr. James McGuirk

WWRL 1600 AM - August 1, 2010

Astor Service's Executive Director James McGuirk was interviewed on WWRL Radio's program "All Things New York" on Saturday, August 1, 2010. The program focused on the question of how Astor Services is dealing with the current difficult financial situation.

Listen to the interview and read a summary on our website.

Charities Expect Money Worries Into 2013 Due to State Shortfalls

The Chronicle of Philanthropy - August 7, 2010

Charities nationwide are facing financial strain because of state budget crises—and many states expect their woes to continue into 2012 and 2013. Astor is cited for its budget cutting efforts. "Having a diverse source of revenues allows you to absorb some cuts," according to James McGuirk, its executive director.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Gets $25K Kellogg Grant to Expand Lean Six Sigma

New York Non Profit Press - April 16, 2010

New York Non Profit Press coverage of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to Astor. This grant will support improvements to Astor's delivery of services to children aged 0-5 years and their families in Dutchess County.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor's Jim McGuirk Is Interviewed

Finding Out With Pete And Ellen - April 4, 2010

Dr. McGuirk is the guest on this Poughkeepsie radio show, and discusses Astor's services in the Hudson Valley, including helpful information for families.

Listen to this interview and read a summary on our website.

Radio Show Features Astor Services

Hudson Valley Focus - March 6, 2010

Hudson Valley Focus host Jim Sipos and Astor's Jim McGuirk discuss Astor's mission, services, and innovative adaptation of cutting-edge business management techniques to a not-for-profit organization.

Listen to this interview and read a summary on our website.

Practical Advice For Families Seeking Help

WTBY Poughkeepsie, Joy In Our Town - January 19, 2010

This program provides practical information for families looking for help. Host Wendy Maragh-Taylor speaks with Astor's Jim McGuirk about many issues of concern to parents and families.

Watch this video and read the story on our website.

Giving Back For The Holidays

Fox 5 Television, Good Day New York - December 5, 2009

Astor Services for Children & Families was featured on a segment of the Fox 5 New York television program "Good Day New York Street Talk" which aired on December 5, 2009. (Astor's segment is the second video.)

"... Astor has been here through all of the problems I've had with my children ..."

Click here to view a PDF version of the story on MyFoxNY.com.

Click here to view the video and story on our website.

Astor Kids Aided by Helping Hands

Poughkeepsie Journal - November 29, 2009

Poughkeepsie Journal coverage of United Way's "Holiday Helping Hands" program and its postive effect on Astor's children and families.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Receives Stefan de Schill Award

Register-Star - October 27, 2009

Coverage of Astor's AMHF Stefan de Schill Award in the Register-Star, Hudson/Catskill NY.

"It was an evening that highlighted the need for the barriers to break down in society on the stigma around mental illness, which prevents many from talking openly about the realities of mental illness and the suffering families confront as they parent children with emotional and behavioral problems."

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

At A Glance: Astor Services AMHF Award

New York Daily News - October 25, 2009

Coverage of Astor's AMHF Stefan de Schill Award in the Daily News.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Bringing in a Black Belt to Fight for Efficiency

New York Nonprofit Press - September 29, 2009

Coverage of Astor's use of the Lean/Six Sigma methodology for improving efficiency.

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.

Astor Learning Center Honors Student of the Year

Poughkeepsie Journal - July 2, 2009

Coverage of Student of the Year Ceremonies at the Astor Learning Center in Rhinebeck, NY

Click here to read a PDF version of this story.