Press Releases

TURNABOUT FAMILY-BASED FOSTER TREATMENT PROGRAM SEEKS FOSTER FAMILIES

Roslyn Heights -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's Turnabout Family Based Treatment Program utilizes a foster parent model for meeting the needs of children with serious emotional and behavioral challenges. Turnabout children may be behind in school, slow to trust, aggressive, or withdrawn. They may have been abused and/or neglected. They need love, affection, guidance, and security.

This program helps these children develop trust and good feelings about themselves while benefitting from a secure, caring, family environment.
The Turnabout Program offers:
·An alternative to more restrictive settings for kids who cannot be adequately helped at home.
· Support for the "treatment" foster parents as well as for birth or adoptive families.
· Case management services for the child.
·A team approach dedicated to strengthening and empowering children and families.

Children in the Turnabout Program are children and adolescents from the ages of five years through 18 years who live in Nassau County. Despite many efforts such as counseling, prevention services, and in some cases, even hospitalizations, mental health professionals along with birth or adoptive parents agree that the child may benefit from a placement in treatment foster care outside of their own home. This is where Turnabout steps in offering these children a very special environment in which they will have the greatest chance to prosper.

Turnabout Professional Families are the main agents of treatment. Professional parents or "Treatment Foster Families" are very special people who are motivated to take Turnabout children into their homes and provide them with stable, caring home environments where self-esteem and social skills develop and grow.

These treatment families are recruited, carefully screened and selected, and well trained in a behavioral management program.

Family Specialists, who have Masters Degrees in Social Work, work intensively with each Turnabout child, with the child's birth or adoptive family, as well as with the Turnabout Professional Family. These Family Specialists serve as a support system guiding the Professional Family on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis. The Family Specialists also provide case management, advocacy, and liaison services for the children and families in negotiating all systems involved such as schools, courts, SSI, and probation.

The "team" approach is central to Turnabout's success. This important Team consists of:
· The Turnabout child or adolescent
· The birth or adoptive parents
· The Turnabout professional staff
· The Professional Foster "Treatment" Family

If you would like more information about TURNABOUT or if your are interested in becoming a foster treatment parent, contact Lee Holtzman at (516) 997-4313 Ext. 258 or Tonia Tucker at Ext. 247. - Fax: (516) 876-9837.

TURNABOUT
Family Based Treatment Program
North Shore Child & Family
Guidance Center
999 Brush Hollow Road
Westbury, New York 11590-1766
Phone: (516) 997-4313 ·· Fax: 876-9837

HOW PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN WHEN TRAUMATIC EVENTS OCCUR

Roslyn Heights, NY -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, offers parents the following information to help them talk to their children about traumatic events:

· Reassure your child immediately. Tell him that his immediate family is safe and go over where each person is and what they are doing in order to be sure he understands that everyone is all right.
· Continue with your regular daily schedule as much as is possible. Keeping the day "normal" will provide children with a sense of structure and security.
· Let your child know that the people in charge are all working to be sure that we are all safe. Remind your child that you are also there and that you will protect him.
· It is all right to let your children see that you are feeling angry, upset, or sad, but make is very clear that you are not upset with them, and try to keep yourself quiet and reassuring when communicating with your children.
· We will be confused and upset so we must expect that our children may show signs of anguish in response. They may be clingy, fussy, very fearful, or exhibit sleep problems. Parents should expect these normal reactions and be ready to deal with them with understanding and patience.
· Get support for yourself. Find someone to talk to about your feelings. Listen to theirs. Getting this help for yourself is critical so that you will be able to help your children cope and process their feelings.
· You can expect many reactions from children and adolescents in response to traumatic events. Some of these reactions might be:
- Refusal to go to school or child care and withdrawal from friends and family.
- Fears related to the event such as the sound of airplanes or sirens.
- Sleep disturbances which could include nightmares and bed wetting
- Misconduct and disobedience related to the traumatic event
- Stomach aches, fevers, headaches, dizziness, and other physical symptoms, for which no immediate cause is obvious
- Loss of concentration, irritability, regressive behaviors such as thumb sucking.
- Constant thoughts of the traumatic event and even the belief that another will occur

If you would like to speak to someone about your children or your family or if your family is experiencing loss directly, please contact Kathi Morse at (516) 299-5373 Ext. 236, Sandy Wolkoff at (516)484-3174 Ext. 222 or Regina Barros at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 330.

DIANE GOLDBERG MATERNAL DEPRESSION PROGRAM FROM NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER

Roslyn Heights, NY -- For more than half a century, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has provided new parents with a wide array of early childhood services and assessments. For the past two decades, researchers have recognized that maternal and postpartum depression poses serious risk factors for children and families, are greatly under diagnosed in the postpartum population, and quietly affect millions of women each year. For the past few years, a stunned nation is painfully aware of the crippling impact of this type of depression. Now North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has a very special and sensitive program, The Diane Goldberg Maternal Depression in Memory of Diane Goldberg, focused directly on post partum maternal depression.

"Post baby blues" are common in new mothers, and are caused by a mixture of extreme fatigue and sharp changes in hormones. The "blues" generally pass quickly as mothers and their babies start to establish their routines over the first few days. But for some women, feeling bad doesn't go away, and gets more intense over the next two or three months. These women may experience irritability, sad mood, and hopelessness. They may feel that they are not doing a good job as a mother and hear their babies cries as a sign of their own failure. They may experience extreme anxiety, starting many tasks but unable to finish them. Some women worry that they may not be able to take care of their babies, and in the most rare and extreme cases, fear that they may hurt themselves or their children.

There is increasing awareness of the importance of maternal depression as a factor on infant development, such as speech and language delays, behavioral difficulties, and emotional development. The new brain research on early childhood brain development, focusing heavily on early stimulation and future cognitive success, also establishes connections between a parent's success in creating a nurturing environment and their own depression. Access to appropriate treatment can provide dramatic and life saving interventions. Postpartum and maternal depression needs to be addressed as a major risk factor interfering with a family's ability to develop and function at an optimal level.

Families require services that recognize the dangerous and crippling impact of maternal depression and the front line professionals who work with families and their young children need enhanced training and support to improve their ability to detect and treat maternal depression and it's consequences. These services are now available.

The program is located at the Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center at 80 North Service Road - LIE; Manhasset, New York 11030. For more information on this critical program contact Sandra Wolkoff, Director, at (516) 484-3174 Ext. 222.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM THE RITE AID FOUNDATION

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center, has received a $3,000 grant from The Rite Aid Foundation to benefit the Center's Good Beginnings for Babies program.

The Good Beginnings for Babies program is for pregnant and parenting teens. This very successful and innovative program offers support, counseling, advocacy, and education to this very young parent population.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services.

For specific information on the Good Beginnings for Babies Program contact Nellie Taylor-Walthrust at (516) 997-2926 Ext. 229. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER RECEIVES GRANT FROM ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center, has received a $2,500 grant from Enterprise Rent-A-Car to benefit the Center's Emergency Services program.

The Center has been a First Response Agency for Nassau County for many years. Responding to many of the area's most traumatic events, the Emergency Services Program is a vital community resource. The program provides on-site counseling and emergency intervention for schools, civic organizations, businesses, community centers as well as for private individuals and families. Because North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center was instrumental in providing emergency de-briefings and ongoing counseling to a great number of those impacted by the traumatic events of 9/11, the Center was the subject of a special documentary on ABC Television hosted by Barbara Walters.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services in addition to emergency services.

For specific information on the Center's many programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER PRESENTS COMMUNITY UNITY EVENT

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more then half a century, will hold a Community Unity Event celebrating Westbury leaders: Dr. Constance R. Clark, Superintendent, Westbury Union Free School District; The O'Sullivan Family, Long-Standing Westbury Residents and Philanthropists; and George Siberon, Executive Director, Nassau County Youth Board. The event will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 6:30 PM at Chateau Briand in Carle Place. For reservations and ticket information, please contact Amy Gordon, (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER HONORS STAFF LEADER AND AUTHOR ANDREW MALEKOFF

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more then half a century, recently honored the Center's associate director and noted author, Andrew Malekoff, on the publication of the Second Edition of his seminal textbook, Group Work with Adolescents: Principles and Practice. This important text, now in a revised and expanded edition, provides essential knowledge and skills for conducting creative, strengths-based group work with adolescents in a range of settings. The new edition, published by Guilford Publications, has been chosen as a main selection of the Behavioral Science Book club.

Executive Director/CEO, Marion S. Levine talked about Mr. Malekoff's outstanding impact on the Guidance Center and on the larger professional community. She praised his book highly and noted that this new edition has been updated to deal with the many critical post-September 11th issues. Mr. Malekoff's new chapter on the Agency's immediate actions after the 9/11 disaster, has already been hailed in professional circles as an important historical chronicle of high level professional service in the face of an extreme emergency.

Professionals from across the area as well as staff and board members of the Center attended the reception to hear Mr. Malekoff and to participate in a discussion of group work. A panel of experts participated, discussing the book and critical points such as the importance of reflection and self examination by the group worker; the group leader's willingness to be vulnerable in relationships; and the worker's mandate to be a"anchored" and flexible. The panel consisted of: Moderator, Andrew Safyer, PhD, MSW, Dean and professor at Adelphi University School of Social work; Jean L. Bacon, PhD, MSW, assistant professor at SUNY Stony Brook School of Social Work; Joseph Moore, PhD, LCSW; adjunct professor of social work at Adelphi University; and Robert Salmon, DSW, professor at Hunter College School of Social Work.

In his remarks, Mr. Malekoff described his work with adolescents as being like a roller coaster ride, a place where you must keep your perspective by seeing humor in all kinds of situations. Reading a few of his poems, he said that his use of poetry is an integral part of his writing to dramatize the true feelings of the young people with whom he works so closely.

Concluding the program, Sandy Wolkoff, Director of Training & consultation for the Center and director of the Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center, talked about Mr. Malekoff's work, his insights into the workings of groups and her positive experiences as his friend and colleague.

For more information on the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, contact Jane Meckwood-Yazdpour at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER RECEIVES GRANT FROM NEW YORK STATE

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center, has received a $140,000 grant through the efforts of Assemblyperson Thomas DiNapoli, N.Y.State Mental Health Committee Chair, Steven Sanders and Education Committee Chair, Peter Rivera. A pioneering special mental health and education project, the Intensive Support Program, sponsored jointly by the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and Nassau County BOCES was rescued from demise by a last minute state legislative grant of $140,000.

The Intensive Support Program has been operating since 1996. Starting with eight high school students, it quickly expanded to fifty. Expanding to programs for middle and elementary schools soon brought the total figure to 150 students from across the county serving all 56 Nassau County school districts. The ISP program soon caught the eye of mental health experts from across the country who, for a very long time, had been looking for a model to serve children and adolescents who, in spite of their severe emotional problems, could be kept at home and in school at about one-tenth of the cost of a residential mental health facility placement.

Throughout the program's lifetime, the principal legislative backer has been Assemplyperson Thomas DiNapoli who had forged strong alliances with leaders of the Assembly's Mental Health and Education Committees. These committees, chaired respectively by Assemblyperson Steve Sanders of Manhattan and Peter Rivera of the Bronx, were brought together by Mr. DiNapoli to deliver the $140,000 ($125,000 from the Education Committee and $15,000 from the Mental Health Committee.)

The ISP program has been developed and refined over the past decade by Andrew Malekoff, ACSW, CASAC, Associate Director of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, noted author, and group work expert and by Mehry Fryzel, Assistant Director of the Nassau BOCES Department of Special Education. The project has received state-wide and national recognition.

The special significance of this program is characterized as a "strengths-based project designed to optimize each student's unique talents, academic abilities, social skills, and emotional development." Parents, siblings, and extended family members are viewed by staff as extremely important to the program. In addition to counseling, the students are given many opportunities to express their creativity and receive therapy through the use of poetry and other art forms. The BOCES/North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center collaboration not only brings together educational and clinical staffs but it also provides a special vocational rehabilitation counselor on staff who works with these students and parents around job-related issues.

Marion S. Levine, Executive Director/CEO of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center expressed deep gratitude to Legislators DiNapoli, Sanders, and Rivera. "Nevertheless, our state allocation still falls far short of meeting the ISP's budget requirements" she said. "We're going to have to launch a special fund-raising effort to keep the program alive for the future. The irony is that everyone agrees that this is exactly the kind of innovation that is needed, It has proven that it works and, although everyone loves it, and in spite of the best efforts of our legislative friends, we're not even half way towards paying for it!" she concluded.

For more information about the ISP program or the other programs and services of NSC&FGC, contact Jane Meckwood-Yazdpour at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER PRESENTS COMMUNITY UNITY EVENT

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more then half a century, recently held a Community Unity Event benefiting the Center's Place @ 999 Adolescent Services Center and celebrating Westbury community leaders: Dr. Constance R. Clark, Superintendent, Westbury Union Free School District; The O'Sullivan Family, Long-Standing Westbury Residents and Philanthropists; and George Siberon, Executive Director, Nassau County Youth Board. The event was held at Chateau Briand in Carle Place and acknowledged the strength and unity of the Westbury community and some of its most outstanding citizens.

The Event Co-Chairs were Dr. Irene Betty Hylton and Rosemarie Klipper. Committee Members were: Regina Barros, NSC&FGC staff; Kira Bryant, Westbury Schools; Maureen Ferrari, NSC&FGC Board of Directors; Elaine Hoskins, New Cassel/Westbury Weed and Seed; Margo Messina, NSC&FGC staff; Michael O'Leary, State Bank of Long Island; Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, NSC&FGC staff; Marjorie Toran, Westbury Schools; and Sean Wright, Newsday. NSC&FGC Development staff who were acknowledged for their contribution to this event were: Amy Gordon, Director of Development; Patricia Byrnes, Administrative Assistant; Jane E. Meckwood-Yazdpour, Public Information Officer; and Barney Navas, Administrative Assistant.

The event was sponsored on the Champion Level by: Maureen and John Ferrari and The O'Sullivan Children Foundation; on the Advocate Level by: Rosemarie and Mitchell Klipper; and on the Supporter Level by: Carol and Raymond Cook, Jennifer and Edward Moran, State Bank of Long Island, and Young Equipment Sales, Inc. Flowers for the event were by "Flowers by Carole of Westbury."

The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Marion S. Levine, Executive Director/CEO of NSC&FGC. Rosemarie Klipper, event co-chair followed with a discussion of the purpose of the event. Event co-chair, Dr. Irene Betty Hylton, then provided a brief history of the work of the guidance center and specifically of The Place @ 999 Adolescent Services Center.

The evening also featured award presentations. The award to Dr. Constance Clark's award was presented by Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, NSC&FGC/Coord. of Outreach Substance Abuse Services and Elvis Classen, Westbury High School student; the award to the O'Sullivan Family (accepted by William Baffi, representative for the family) was presented by Margo Messina, NSC&FGC/Senior Psychiatric Social Worker and Karis Noel, Westbury High School student; and the award to George Siberon was presented by Regina Barros, NSC&FGC/Director of Clinical Services and Lesly Guerrero, Westbury High School student.

Another special component of the evening's proceedings came when Nellie Taylor-Walthrust called forward four other Westbury High School students. Calling out the Swahili word for "unity" Ms. Taylor-Walthrust provided a dramatic introduction to a stirring and evocative drum presentation by Steve Eustache, Antonio Francois, Mevyo Jean, Vladimir Prezeau, and Terrance Yarde. After a raffle prize drawing the evening closed with remarks by NSC&FGC board member and Past President, Linda Seaman, who presented awards to event sponsors and then invited those present to become involved with the good work of the NSC&FGC and The Place @ 999 in particular.

This sparkling evening event benefitted NSC&FGC's Place @ 999 Adolescent Services Center which is a multi-service clinic that specializes in helping children, youth and their families with mental health and substance abuse problems (drugs and alcohol). This licensed clinic provides clinical treatment services and prevention services to children, adolescents, and their families. Serving clients from local and regional communities, fees are determined by the client's ability to pay either individually or through health insurance.

The Place offers an intensive Outpatient Chemical Dependency program for adolescent substance abusers and their families including significant others ages 6-21. Mental health services are offered to children of all ages. The Place also offers community education and outreach which includes workshops and activities for youth and their families. These community events are held at The Place, in community centers, schools, and the workplace.
The Place offers the following prevention programs and services
· Culturally sensitive services for both the Hispanic and Haitian immigrant populations
· Tutorial Services
· A School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Program that includes classroom presentations, group counseling, referrals, home visits, community networking and crisis intervention
· Good Beginnings for Babies for pregnant and parenting teens
· Advantage After-School Program in collaboration with the Westbury School District
· The Turnabout Family-Based Foster Treatment Program for at-risk children who need out of home placements.

For more information about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, or to become a member of the Association, please contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER'S ACHIEVEMENT 2005 LUNCHEON

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, will hold its Annual Achievement Luncheon on April 13th, 2005 at Glen Head Country Club; Cedar Swamp Road; Glen Head, NY. This year's honorees will be Lillian McCormick, Executive Director, Women on the Job and Elena Perez, Vice President Market Development, Bank of America.

This event is organized by the Center's Business Advisory Council, the members of which act as ambassadors for NSC&FGC to the corporate community on Long Island. Ann Dorman Adler, Angela Susan Anton, and The Honorable Bonnie Eisler are the Event Co-chairs. The event is underwritten by Bank of America.

The Luncheon Committee is: Sharon Berlin, Madeline Berg, Amy Cantor, Rita Castagna, Bonnie Fachler, Sandy Garfunkel, Jane Gewant, Lisa Golden, Rita Kay, Rosemarie Klipper, Andrea Leeds, Joanne Sexton, Robin Spielman, and Laury Weber.

The Business Advisory Council Members are: Ellen Auster, Deloitte & Touche, Council Chair; Angela Susan Anton, Anton Community Newspapers; Janice Ashley, Signature Bank; Jim Brandt, Steinberg, Fineo, Berger & Fischoff; Jennifer Carucci, Bank of New York; Michelle Di Benedetto, Citibank, N.A.; Bonnie Doran, Daniel Gale Real Estate; Dorothy Doyle, Bank of America; Cliff Eisler, Analect LLC; Margaret Hester, Enterprise Rent-a-Car; Ed Kline, U.S.Trust; Meg Meyer, Sulzer Metco; Michael O'Leary, State Bank of Long Island; Elissa Theilen, The Beacon Group; and Wingson Wong, J P Morgan Chase.

The afternoon will offer a sumptuous lunch and stimulating addresses by the honorees all to benefit the Center's many programs and services. The Center was founded in 1953 and offers a wide spectrum of mental health services and is also a major training facility for professionals, agencies, schools, and community groups. The Achievement Luncheon has special significance because it allows the Center to provide information to individuals and corporations throughout Long Island.

For reservations and ticket information contact: Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM WB11 CARE FOR KIDS FUND

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center, has received a $10,000 grant from the WB11 Care for Kids Fund a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

This grant will be used to help fund the Center's very successful Advantage After- School program for adolescents at risk. This innovative program provides an array of activities for selected students in the Westbury school system between the hours of 3 and 6 PM. This preventive program provides homework assistance, recreational activities, mentoring, and group discussion towards a more positive path in life. This program has proved tremendously successful in helping teens find constructive and productive ways to spend their after-school hours as well as to plan for their future. Based in the Center's Westbury Office, The Place @ 999 Adolescent Services Center, the Advantage After School Program serves as a model for proactive prevention service.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services. For specific information on the Advantage After-School Program contact Nellie Taylor-Walthrust at (516) 997-2926 Ext. 229. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for half a century, is currently offering a new bereavement group for widows 65 and older. This group meets weekly at the Center's new Bereavement & Trauma Center; 480 Old Westbury Road; Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. The group meets on Wednesdays from 10:30 AM to 12 Noon and the Fee is $20 per session.

Please contact Debbie Kassimir, if you or someone you know is interested in this group. Call (516) 299-5373 Ext. 224.

Roslyn Heights, N.Y. -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, is holding a very special community forum on Monday, May 9th, 2005 at 7:30 PM at The Omni in Uniondale, New York. Called "The Secret Life of American Teenagers: From Extracurriculars to Ecstacy," the evening will feature a keynote address by Dave Marcus, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of "What I Takes to Pull Me through: Why Teenagers Get in Trouble and How Four of Them Got Out." The event will also offer a panel discussion. Panel members will be: Michael Winerip, Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter for the "New York Times;" Bruce Kaufstein, clinician specializing in wilderness adventures for troubled adolescents; Sandra Wolkoff, expert on child, parents, and family development; and Andrew Malekoff (Moderator), noted author of "Group Work with Adolescents: Principles and Practice." The cost for this event is $10. Please send your registration along with your check payable to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center; 480 Old Westbury Road; Roslyn Heights, NY 11577-2215; Attn: Mr. Barney Navas. For questions or other information, contact Amy Gordon at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

Roslyn Heights, NY -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, announced recently that Sonia Murdock, BA, the session worker for the Center's Diane Goldberg Maternal Depression Program in Memory of Diane Goldberg, has been nominated for the Volvo Life Award. Ms. Murdock was the recipient of the Guidance Center's Community Partnership Award at the Center's Annual Meeting in June of 2004 as well.

Ms. Murdock began her involvement with postpartum psychosis when her sister suffered its debilitating effects after the birth of her daughter. In helping her sister through this illness, Sonia learned how few resources actually existed to help women experiencing postpartum mood disorders. She also learned that many health professionals and para-professionals either did not recognize symptoms or had no place to refer patients for follow-up. In response to this need, Sonia Murdock co-founded the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Inc. (www.postpartumny.org).

Due to Ms. Murdock's efforts scores of women have since found help and treatment. Moreover, she has worked to educate the public, health care professionals, and government legislators on this subject. With her help North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has launched a substantive maternal depression outreach project. Her work in this program does not only focus on the impact of postpartum disorders on new mothers, but also on its impact on children and other family members. Her work has helped increase the health and safety of mothers, fathers, and their children. Her work has not only raised public awareness of these disorders but also has helped save lives every day.

For the past two decades, researchers have recognized that maternal and postpartum depression pose serious risk factors for children and families, are greatly under diagnosed in the postpartum population, and quietly affect millions of women each year. "Post baby blues" are common in new mothers, and are caused by a mixture of extreme fatigue and sharp changes in hormones. The "blues" generally pass quickly as mothers and their babies start to establish their routines over the first few days. But for some women, feeling bad doesn't go away, and gets more intense over the next two or three months. These women may experience irritability, sad mood, and hopelessness. They may feel that they are not doing a good job as a mother and hear their babies cries as a sign of their own failure. They may experience extreme anxiety, starting many tasks but unable to finish them. Some women worry that they may not be able to take care of their babies, and in the most rare and extreme cases, fear that they may hurt themselves or their children.

Studies generally report that 10-14% of mothers experience significant depression in the first few months after their baby is born. In studies where mothers self report on depression rating scales, the numbers can jump to over 40%. Women who are single parents, living in poverty, or facing other serious stressors, seem to be at greater risk for postpartum depression. Many studies on risk factors facing families today identify isolation and loneliness as key stressors, both experienced frequently by new mothers. The suburbs, home to more and more families, seem to magnify isolation, with families spending too little time with peers and neighbors.

There is increasing awareness of the importance of maternal depression as a factor on infant development, such as speech and language delays, behavioral difficulties, and emotional development. The new brain research on early childhood brain development, focusing heavily on early stimulation and future cognitive success, also establishes connections between a parent's success in creating a nurturing environment and their own depression. Access to appropriate treatment can provide dramatic and life saving interventions. Postpartum and maternal depression needs to be addressed as a major risk factor interfering with a family's ability to develop and function at an optimal level.

Families require services that recognize the dangerous and crippling impact of maternal depression and the front line professionals who work with families and their young children need enhanced training and support to improve their ability to detect and treat maternal depression and it's consequences.
For information or services, contact Sandra Wolkoff, Director of the Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center at (516) 484-3174 Ext. 222. Visit the Center on the Web at: www.northshorechildguidance.org

Roslyn Heights -- Rochelle Lipton is finishing her second and final two year term as president of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, which many consider to be Long Island's leading children's mental health center. The Center has been serving the community for more than half a century.

"The time has gone so quickly but I'm very proud of what we have achieved these past four years!" she said recently.

She will be turning the office over to a new president on June 14th at the organization's Annual Meeting which will be held, as usual, at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn Harbor.

What is striking about Rochelle Lipton, the wife of prominent Long Island businessman Hal Lipton, CEO of Gyma Laboratories of America, Inc., is how calm she remains after four years of difficult moments in the life of the Center. These four years were ushered in by the tragic events of September 11th. What happened had a profound impact on the operations of the organization's bereavement, trauma, emergency services and other programs.

Rochelle, who had been an active board member for years but had taken some time out because of illness in her family, reactivated her interest in North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center soon after she went through her own difficult moments with the death of her former husband.

Even before September 11th, Rochelle and her new husband, Hal, who had also lost his wife, became enthusiastic about the Center's blossoming bereavement and trauma program. Having both experienced serious losses, they were quite aware of the complex grieving process and wanted to make an important contribution to this rising field of practice.

With Rochelle's emergence as the president who would preside, in 2003, over the organization's 50th Anniversary, she thought "what better gift could she give than by generously contributing and providing the necessary leadership to a erecting a new building that would stand on the headquarters compound of the organization's 'Whispered Wishes." Nassau County Executive, Thomas Suozzi, cut the ribbon to formally open the Bereavement and Trauma Center in December of 2004.

"Presiding over the 50th Anniversary year of intense celebration and culminating the year with a the building's completion was truly very special" she says. "It's amazing how we sometimes end up making a contribution, we would not have imagined, by living through very unpleasant circumstances. It's important to take one's personal experiences, however painful they may be, and make them work positively for others." These are the very ideas that she has preached for the past four years, from her platform as president, to the many volunteers and supporters of the Center.

She says that she realizes that she has come a very long way from the time she presided over the Annual Meeting in 2002 and then the agency's principal fundraising event, the annual Chrysanthemum Event, now called The Snow Ball and held in December. She admits to experiencing a special thrill as she stood before hundreds, as president, at Cipriani's in Manhattan during her first presidential year. She says "I realized, perhaps for the first time, what an impact I could make by helping to formulate and outline ideas and plans that others would freely and enthusiastically respond to."

She is especially proud of the distinguished record her organization made in meeting the emergency of September 11th and the contribution the agency made to the lives of the survivor families of that tragic day.

"I felt as though we were the armed forces called into action and, according to everyone, we served superbly" she said. "You know that we do wonderful things every day to relieve the emotional hurts of so many children and families, but September 11th was an unprecedented emergency. We really mobilized to a very beneficial effect!"

Ms. Lipton, a former teacher, marvels at what it takes to be a successful not-for-profit, voluntary leader. "Being president of this organization has put me on my feet" she says. "The words that might have been difficult to form earlier in my life, now flow out with new understanding, knowledge, and feeling."

She insists that even though being president of such a notable organization does take time and great effort, it has had a very positive effect on her relatively recent marriage. While she muses that her husband Hal might have once asked himself "what is she getting me into?" he quickly grasped the significance of her new role. "I know that he's very proud of me and has tremendous respect for the cause I represent. In short, he's engaged with North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and very emotionally involved. All of this makes me feel very good. Even my children and elderly mother see me in a new light and that, you know, feels great!" she continues.

But Rochelle Lipton finds it difficult to rest easy as she completes her presidency. She is very concerned with the difficult future of organizations such as North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. She says that there is much competition for the private dollar and that there are few options left for raising necessary money. "With government cutbacks and managed care giving diminished payments for children's mental health care, we fight for every dollar and for every day to survive" she finishes.

"Thankfully, we have a very good Board of Directors who are extremely dedicated people; but they can't do it all. It's the job of the president to take risks and to sell the 'product,' seeking out new constituencies of support. This is not at all an easy task."

"It seems that almost every year we add a number of new and innovative services to our agenda that the community acutely needs but nobody is around who cares to pay for it" she says as she cites the Center's recent projects on maternal depression and the expanded Learning to Learn Center which is dealing with the serious emotional fallout of learning disabilities on kids, families, and schools. "These programs are not frills. To those who receive the services provided by our highly trained and dedicated professional staff, they are truly life saving. Yet I do fret that there is not enough advocacy from the community on behalf of mental health services for children. This lack of sustained attention to our funding dilemmas constitutes a crisis situation. Where is the clamor?" she asks.

For information about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact Jane Meckwood-Yazdpour at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for over half a century, has received an $8,000 grant from the Manhasset Community Fund/Greentree Foundation "Good Neighbor" Fund which will be used to support the Center's Advantage After School Program for adolescents at risk in New Cassel.

This innovative program provides an array of activities for selected students in the Westbury school system between the hours of 3 and 6 PM. This preventive program provides emotional support, homework assistance, recreational activities, mentoring, and group discussion towards a more positive path in life. This program has proved tremendously successful in helping teens find constructive and productive ways to spend their after-school hours as well as to plan for their future. Based in the Center's Westbury Office, The Place @ 999 Adolescent Services Center, the Advantage After School Program serves as a model for proactive prevention service.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for over fifty years, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services. For specific information on the Advantage After-School Program contact Nellie Taylor-Walthrust at (516) 997-2926 Ext. 229. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER TO HOLD 9TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

Roslyn Heights, N.Y. -- Bryan H. Atkinson, Founding Partner of AKF Engineers, will be honored by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center at the 2005 Annual Golf Classic and Dinner. The event will be held on Monday, July 11th at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn Harbor, NY. The Golf Classic Chairpersons are Ed Kline, of U.S. Trust Company and Jeff Krevat, of AALCO Rigging. Both chairs are Board Members of NSC&FGC.

The event will include a full day of golf, cocktail/buffet/dessert reception. The proceeds from the Golf Classic will benefit North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century. The Center has been on the front lines providing services to many of their neighbors who were effected by the many recent traumatic events such as the Long Island Railraod Massacre, the Avianca Plane Crash, the Lynbrook Church Murders, the Mepham Abuse Case, and the terrorist attacks of 9/11. This long-standing commitment to caring for the emotional needs of children, youth, and their families on Long Island has resulted in a growing mandate for these special services. The Center has been conducting a special campaign to fund the new site of its expanded Bereavement & Trauma Center. This new Center opened it's doors in December-2004.

For more information about the Golf Classic sponsorships, advertising, or tickets or about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center please contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development, at (516) 626-1917 Ext. 320.

Roslyn Heights, N.Y. -- The impact of suicide on a family is often devastating for children and adults. North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, offers a support group on the 3rd Thursday of every month for family members who have lost a loved one to suicide. The group, lead by a professional, is ongoing and accepts new members at every meeting. The Suicide Survivor's Support Program is a part of the Center's Schnurmacher Family Bereavement Program. This program offers assistance to children and adults during times of grief. Pre-registration is required; there is a set fee. For more information on these suicide survivor groups or other bereavement and trauma services contact Kathi Morse at (516) 299-5373 Ext. 236.

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, held its 52nd Annual Meeting recently at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn Harbor. At this meeting, the Center celebrated the election of Jo-Ellen Hazan as the Center's 20th president.

Attended by members, supporters, staff, and friends, the meeting was also an occasion for honoring those who made significant contributions to the Center and to the community during the past year. The Family Life Award was presented to former President Sandra Garfunkel and her husband George Garfunkel for their outstanding record of service. Jeff Krevat, Vice President of the Center and Chair of the Center's Annual Golf Classic received the Distinguished Service Award. Fred Scaglione, Editor of the New York Nonprofit Press received the Media Award for his advocacy in behalf of the nonprofit community. Dr. Mary Curtis, Deputy County Executive, received the Community Service Award for her efficiency in handling problems as a "non-bureaucrat" in the world of government. Awards to staff members went to: Jacqueline Augustin, Assistant Bookkeeper; Amy Ipp-Gelb, Supervisor at the Center's Intensive Support Program collaborative with Nassau/BOCES, Middle School; and Elizabeth Goulding-Tag, Psychiatric Social Worker for the Family Life Program through OMRDD. Outreach Coordinator, Nellie Walthrust-Taylor presented special awards to three young students from Westbury for their efforts to help fellow students through their participation in the Center's Community Unity Event. They were Elvis Classen, Lesly Guerrero, and Karis Noel.

Officers elected this year were: Jo-Ellen Hazan, President; Rochelle Lipton, Past President; Clifford Eisler, Maureen Ferrari, Sandra Garfunkel, Jeff Krevat, Andrea Leeds, and Linda Seaman as Vice Presidents; Rita Castagna, Secretary; and Paul Vitale, Treasurer. New members elected to the Board of Directors were Stacey Bennett, Ruth Fortunoff, Lisa Golden, and Rosemarie Klipper. Reelected to the Board were Ellen Auster, Dorothy Doyle, Lucille S. Kantor, Nancy Lane, and Nancy Marks.

Speaking at the meeting, outgoing President, Rochelle Lipton, talked about her four years as president. She discussed the work of the Center in the wake of 9/11 as well as the subsequently very difficult fund raising environment. Ms. Lipton cited her tremendous gratification at the opening of the Center's new Bereavement & Trauma Center, something in which she was directly instrumental in achieving. She closed by saying "I would like to dedicate these past fours years as president to a new and very powerful beginning for all of us!"

Preceded by a cocktail hour and followed by a buffet dinner, the evening was marked by a deeply moving celebration of the past and positive anticipation of and dedication to a future of service to the children, youth, and families of Long Island.

For more information about the programs and services of the Center or for information on volunteering, please contact Jane Meckwood-Yazdpour, Public Information Officer, at (516) 626-1971 Ext.309.

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, announces a special program designed to identify and assess learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and attention deficits; to plan remediation strategies; and help children and their families develop coping skills.

Does your child have reading difficulties, poor comprehension, or slow reading? Does you child have writing difficulties or problems with math skills such as problem solving or careless errors? Does he have a short attention span, is easily distractible, exhibit poor concentration, a high activity level, or problems with impulse control? Are there organizational difficulties such as poor study skills or forgetting or losing things? Does you child have problems with social skills - poorly developed relationships with peers and problematic family interactions.

Do these difficulties result in: (1) failing or inconsistent grades, (2) conflicts between parents and children, (3) avoidance of school and cutting classes or cutting specific classes, or (4) low self-esteem with statements such as "I'm stupid," or "There's no problem."

If you suspect a problem, obtain a full professional evaluation to determine if there is a learning issue. An evaluation will help to explain your child's unique strengths and weaknesses. This evaluation will be useful for parents, students, school districts, teachers, tutors, and other professionals who will be planning an individualized program based on your child's needs and learning style. Our professional team consists of clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, tutors, as well as a neuropsychologist and an educational specialist. Fees are determined by a sliding scale based on family income and are dependent upon the type of service being provided. Please note that insurance is NOT accepted for psychological testing services.

Information and appointments are available by calling the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's Learning to Learn Center at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 333.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER HOLDS 9TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

Roslyn Heights, N.Y. -- Bryan H. Atkinson, Founding Partner of AKF Engineers, was honored by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center at the 2005 Annual Golf Classic and Dinner. The event was held on Monday, July 11th at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn Harbor, NY. The Golf Classic Chairpersons were Ed Kline, of U.S. Trust Company and Jeff Krevat, of AALCO Rigging. Both chairs are Board Members of NSC&FGC. The Golf Committee members were: Charles Cottitta, Atlantic Powersystems Detroit Diesel; Josephine Ewing, Board Member NSC&FGC; Joe Fox, City Cadillac Oldsmobile, Inc.; Mike Katz, Long Island Golfer Magazine; Jonathan Maultasch, Board Member NSC&FGC; Dave Morse, York International; Joseph Rubino, AKF Engineers; and Michael Russo, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp.

Christopher D. Smithers Foundation; Fortunoff; Forest Electric; Atlantic Powersystems Detroit Diesel; Amquip Crane Rental, and State Bank of Long Island supported, sponsored, and/or donated prizes to the Golf Event.

The day-long event included a full day of golf and a cocktail/buffet/dessert reception. The proceeds from the Golf Classic benefitted North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century. As a Nassau County First Response Agency, the Center has long been on the front lines providing services to those effected by traumatic events such as the Long Island Railroad Massacre, the Avianca Plane Crash, the Lynbrook Church Murders, the Mepham Abuse Case, and the terrorist attacks of 9/11. This long-standing commitment to caring for the emotional needs of children, youth, and their families on Long Island has resulted in a growing mandate for these special services. The Center is celebrating the new site of its expanded Bereavement & Trauma Center which opened it's doors in December-2004. The Golf Classic is just one of many fund raising initiatives the Center is presently conducting in order to respond to the needs of the community.

For more information about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center or to explore opportunities for volunteering at the Center please contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development, at (516) 626-1917 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER COORDINATES LOCAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: AMERICA'S NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center for more than half a century, along with New Cassel/Westbury Weed and Seed Coalition, coordinated the 2005 Annual Night Out: America's Night Out Against Crime. At this 22nd national event, the New Cassel/Westbury community joined with thousands of other communities throughout the nation to march together to heighten crime and drug-prevention awareness; to generate support for and participation in anti-crime efforts; to strengthen neighborhood spirit as well as neighborhood/police partnerships; and to send the message that New Cassel/Westbury is organized and fighting back against crime. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and supported, in part, by the United States Department of Justice, the event featured a special march, food, music, multi-cultural entertainment, sports, and community resources information. For further information about the New Cassel/Westbury Weed and Seed initiative, contact the program's lead office at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and ask for Elaine Hoskins - (516) 997-2926 Ext. 267. For more information about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center or to explore opportunities for volunteering at the Center please contact
Amy Gordon at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER WINTER DREAMS - THE SNOW BALL - DECEMBER 3RD, 2005

Roslyn Heights, NY -- Save the Date -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for over half a century will hold it's annual
fundraising event on Saturday evening, December 3rd, 2005, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, New York beginning at 7 PM. Called "Winter Dreams - The Snow Ball," the event
will honor Rita Castagna, Principal, Castagna Realty Company and Edward Travaglianti, President, Commerce Bank of Long Island. This black tie evening will be dedicated to the emotional health of
the children, youth, parents, and families of Long Island and will feature dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, raffles, and a casino night. Co-Chairs of this event are Maureen and John Ferrari; Andrea and Michael Leeds; and Joanne and Robert Sexton. Sponsorship Chairs are: John Gutleber, Castagna Realty and Michael P. Sabala, Commerce Bank. Journal Chairs are: Stacy Bennett and Lisa Golden. The Prize Chair is Deborah Hudak. Committee Members are: Gerda and Gary Andersen; Angela Susan Anton; Lori and Roger Bahnik; Stacy and Charles Bennett; Joy Billhardt; Sandra and George Garfunkel; Lisa and Scott Golden; Jo-Ellen and Ira Hazan; Lisa Holland; Deborah and Frank Hudak; Rochelle and Hal Lipton; Keith and Mickey Mait; Toni-Ann and John Nahas; Lisa Puntillo and Bob Pascucci; Kristin and George Poll; Debby and Scott Rechler; Renee and Robert Rimsky; Vanessa and Brian Rogan; Michael P. Sabala; Lisa and Greg Slote; and Christine Tricarico. The Event's Honorary Committee is: Honorable Gary Ackerman, Oleg Cassini, Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, Helene Fortunoff, Susan Isaacs, Honorable Judy Jacobs, Lilo and Gerard Leeds, Richard W. Merzbacher, Linda and Carl Seaman, Honorable Thomas R. Suozzi. Kaity Tong, and Dana Tyler. North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers a wide array of programs and services
that range from core mental health services to special programs that help with such issues as learning difficulties, early childhood, bereavement, and divorce. For more information about tickets, journal ads, and sponsorships for the Winter Dreams -The Snow Ball or about the programs and services of the Center, contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development, at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER WINTER DREAMS - THE SNOW BALL - SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2005

Roslyn Heights, NY -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for over half a century held it's annual fundraising
event on Saturday evening, December 3rd, 2005, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, New York. Called "The Snow Ball - Winter Dreams," the event honored Rita
Castagna, Principal, Castagna Realty Company and Edward Travaglianti, President, Commerce Bank of Long Island. This black tie evening was dedicated to the emotional health
of the children, youth, parents, and families of Long Island and featured dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, raffles, and a casino night. Co-Chairs of this event were Maureen and John Ferrari; Andrea and Michael Leeds; and Joanne and Robert Sexton. Sponsorship Chairs were: John Gutleber, Castagna Realty and Michael P. Sabala, Commerce Bank. Journal Chairs were: Stacy Bennett and Lisa Golden. The Prize Chair was Deborah Hudak. Committee Members included: Gerda and Gary Andersen; Angela Susan Anton; Lori and Roger Bahnik; Stacy and Charles Bennett; Joy Billhardt; Sandra and George Garfunkel; Lisa and Scott Golden; Jo-Ellen and Ira Hazan; Lisa Holland; Deborah and Frank Hudak; Rochelle and Hal Lipton; Keith and Mickey Mait;
Toni-Ann and John Nahas; Lisa Puntillo and Bob Pascucci; Kristin and George Poll; Debby and Scott Rechler; Renee and Robert Rimsky; Vanessa and Brian Rogan; Michael P. Sabala;
Lisa and Greg Slote; and Christine Tricarico. The Event's Honorary Committee is: Honorable Gary Ackerman, Oleg Cassini, Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, Helene Fortunoff, Susan Isaacs, Honorable Judy Jacobs, Lilo and Gerard Leeds, Richard W. Merzbacher, Linda and Carl Seaman, Honorable Thomas R. Suozzi. Kaity Tong, and Dana Tyler. Among the many activities of the evening were presentation of awards to the honorees along with guest speakers: Shari Stalter, a parent advocate for the Center, and Martin Kantor a long-time Center supporter and champion.
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers a wide array of programs and services that range from core mental health services to special programs that help with such
issues as learning difficulties, early childhood, bereavement, and divorce. For more information about the programs and services of the Center, contact Jane E.
Meckwood-Yazdpour, Public Information Officer, at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER GUIDING FAMILIES THROUGH CHANGING TIMES - DECEMBER 5TH, 2005

At the birth of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center there were the parents. These young men and women had come to the suburbs in search of a safer, healthier place to raise their children and build their lives. In 1952, a newly-formed Mental Hygiene Committee of the Willets Road School's PTA explored the needs of troubled kids and families in the Nassau County suburbs and, as a response to this exploration, the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center was born. Today it is the leading specialty children's mental health center with four clinic locations, a wide menu of school-based programs as well as a premier training and consultation center. While the Center offers a wide array of programs and services, the mission of the organization remains simple: It is all about kids and responding to their emotional needs. Some stories about the kids and families that come to the Center will serve to illustrate this mission. Lydia felt very alone. Paul had suffered a long time and she was glad he had at last found peace. Her children cried every night. Five year old Lois kept asking "Where's Daddy?" And her eight year old, talked incessantly about those last days. She didn't know how to help her children cope with this loss. Then a friend told her about North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's new Bereavement & Trauma Center. Soon Lydia and her children were coming to bereavement groups. Little by little the family began to heal. Madge was going through a vitriolic divorce. She was inundated with court dates,
hearings, and financial negotiations while trying to help her three children cope with this upheaval in their lives. Her job, which now was critically important to her family's survival, added pressure. She came to the Single Parent Action Network (SPAN) which is helping the family learn to cope and move forward. Angela had spent the night alone in her backyard after her father had come home drunk and thrown her out. At 14 years old she was on the verge of becoming a runaway. Her step-mother could not help her because she was a victim of the same domestic violence.
The next morning when Angela went to school, her friends reported it to the school nurse and soon Angela and her step-mother were brought to the Center. Therapists helped them find a "safe house" and then helped them take the first steps towards ending the cycle of abuse in the home. Center clinicians also worked with the father who is now in alcohol abuse treatment as well.
Elyssa was 16 years old and she was cutting herself. She was despondent. Her mother was very afraid that the self-mutilation her daughter was exhibiting would escalate to suicide because Elyssa talked often about death. Elyssa's father said that his daughter "could never do such a thing." After a particularly dangerous cutting incident, the family was referred to the Center's Emergency Services Unit. Came to the Center immediately and after long hours with the Emergency Service Coordinator, the family was able to accept a referral to appropriate care where Elyssa could be closely monitored, rapidly started on appropriate medication, and stabilized. The immediate danger of this situation was drastically reduced. By including the entire family in the process, in a non-threatening environment, the family's own strengths and coping mechanisms were accessed and supported. Matthew told his parents "I'm just stupid - that's all!" His distress was palpable as he
struggled to keep up in school. Matthew had always had a little trouble in school but had been able to cope and keep up with his class. As he entered junior high school and more advanced studies were presented, he had fallen behind. The school tested Matthew and said they had found a learning disability. Matthew's parents wanted to know more so they brought him the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's Learning to Learn Center. There he received comprehensive testing and a special study program was created specifically targeting Matthew's areas of weakness. Therapists worked with Matthew and his parents and, after a year, Matthew had regained his momentum, his grades had improved, and he was on track once again. Something was very wrong. Murial felt alone and afraid as she tried to care for her new son. Every day as her husband left for work, Muriel would panic. Some days she only touched her son when she had to feed or change him. She cried often and felt isolated. She though she was alone with these negative feelings. Then she saw a story for the Diane Goldberg Maternal Depression Program in the newspaper. One phone call later and she found herself at the Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center talking to a gentle woman who told her that she was not alone. After a few months of therapy Muriel and her husband have begun to find their way as parents. Muriel no longer feels isolated and she faithfully attends a support group. Alan was 16 years old and always in trouble. He was failing in school. He was depressed and fragile. Everyone despaired for Alan - he was surely going to end up in an institution. His mother and father were both abusive toward each other and toward Alan.
Then Alan was referred by his school district to a special program - a school community collaborative from North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and Nassau/BOCES. As the school year progressed and Alan received intensive mental health services as well as a full academic program and vocational guidance and training, he began to improve. Given a minimum of medication and using outreach to his parents to help them begin to create a better home environment, Alan has been able to remain in his home, in his school, and in the community. Alan talks about the future now and he is beginning to experience success in his= life for the very first time. Rachel was worried about her two year old son. Michael was slow in everything he attempted. He was much slower, developmentally, than his sister. The family soon found their way to the Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center. After sharing their concerns the Center arranged for Michael to be tested. They found that Michael was an extremely anxious child and that caused him to move very slowly through life. After working with both parents - teaching them ways to help Michael feel more secure and "safe," Michael's anxiety has been reduced considerably and he is rapidly "catching up" to his age group. Ginger was starting to experiment with drugs. She was smoking pot regularly. She lived with her mother, a single parent, who was also drug involved. She was skipping school, staying out late, and was sexually active. Her downward spiral continued until she
was arrested for illegally drinking on a street corner. Referred to The Place @ 999 Adolescent Services Center, Ginger and her mother soon become engaged in intensive counseling. Slowly but surely, Ginger began to respond to the care and attention she was receiving. Today Ginger is working hard in school, has been drug-free for nearly a year, and is looking forward to beginning community college in the fall. Her mother, too, is trying to re-claim her life and is in therapy. These are only a few of the stories of kids and families helped by the center. For more information contact Jane E. Meckwood-Yazdpour, Office of Public Information, at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER OFFERS BEREAVEMENT & TRAUMA SERVICES AT NEW CENTER - OCTOBER 12TH, 2005

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's specialty children's mental health center for more then half a century, recently inaugurated its new Bereavement & Trauma Center, located on the headquarters campus of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center at 480 Old Westbury Road; Roslyn Heights, New York 11577-2215. This new, dramatically beautiful facility houses the Schnurmacher Family Bereavement & Trauma Program which offers a multi-faceted array of special programs and services to assist children and families during times of grief or traumatic events. Special support groups, led by trained professionals, are offered at low cost. Bereavement specialists are available to individuals, schools, and the community to provide crisis intervention, therapy, and consultation. As a Nassau County "First Response" facility, the Center has provided crisis services following some of the most traumatic events experienced by the Long Island community in recent years. The Center's clinical staff has been on site at such events as the Avianca plane crash, the LIRR massacre, the Lynbrook church murders, the Mepham abuse case, and the terrorist attacks of September 11th. In the wake of such terrifying events, the need for these services has expanded. The Bereavement & Trauma Center is also the new home of the Center's very successful, ongoing programs for abuse prevention and treatment, single parent program and services, as well as the home of The Open Door, the Bereavement & Trauma Center's newsletter. The new, state-of-the-art Bereavement and Trauma Center has already been called "a valuable community resource" by Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi at the Center's recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. As part of the many new initiatives into the community, special workshops will be held to address the very complex issue of bereavement and/or trauma. To have your name added to the Center's mailing list or to obtain information about bereavement & trauma services, contact the Center at: (516) 299-5373 Ext. 236 and ask for Kathi Morse and visit the Center on the web at: www.northshorechildguidance.org.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER'S "THE MARKS FAMILY RIGHT FROM THE START 0-3+ CENTER" EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES - NOVEMBER 21, 2005

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center'S Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center provides vital services and information to help families raise their young children in today's increasingly "pressure-cooker" environment. Located at 80 North Service Road - LIE; Manhasset, NY 11030-4019, this program offers an attractive, centrally located building that is easily accessible to parents and their small children; observation rooms where children's developmental progress can be observed by a professional team of child rearing experts; parent-child
drop in hours where children may play with peers and parents can interact with other parents and professionals; individual assessment and therapeutic treatment of special problems; a multimedia library with user-friendly access to the latest parenting information; a training center for childcare workers, babysitters, nannies, au pairs, grandparents, and any others who are responsible for the care of young children; parent support and education groups; and formal professional courses on all phases of child development. All of these services are enhanced by the publication of The Parent
& preschooler Newsletter, an internationally subscribed, award-winning exploration of early childhood topics. For more information on the The Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center, contact Sandy Wolkoff, CSW, Director, at (516) 484-3174 Ext. 222 or Fax: (516) 484-2729.

NORTH SHORE CHILD AND FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER - SINGLE PARENT ACTION NETWORK - DECEMBER 12TH, 2005

Roslyn Heights, N.Y. -- SPAN is the Single Parent Action Network, a program of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health facility for over half a century. Established in 1979 in response to the growing number of single parents in our community, the SPAN program is designed to meet the changing needs of men and women who head one parent families. SPAN helps single parents and their children cope with the crises of separation and divorce. The program was developed by single parents themselves along with the
professional staff of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center to provide resources through which one-parent families can share their common experiences and learn to help themselves and each other. The goals of SPAN are dually focused on the needs of parents and their children: (1) To create an environment in which single parents can share experiences and build new social networks. (2) To help parents develop an awareness of their children's emotional needs after going through a traumatic upheaval. Throughout the year, SPAN offers community education forums that cover a wide array of topics such as Separation and Divorce: A Father's Point of View, The Crisis of Divorce: Does My Child Need Help?, and Separations and Transitions: How Kids in Single Parent Homes Experience Them. For more information about the SPAN program, the meeting topics and schedules, or to have your name added to the SPAN mailing list, contact the SPAN Program and ask for Linda Reilly at (516) 299-5373 Ext.- 234

TURNABOUT FAMILY-BASED FOSTER TREATMENT PROGRAM SEEKS FOSTER FAMILIES - DECEMBER 28TH, 2005

Roslyn Heights -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's Turnabout Family Based Treatment Program utilizes a foster parent model for meeting the needs of children with serious emotional and behavioral challenges. Turnabout children may be behind in school, slow to trust, aggressive, or withdrawn. They may have been abused and/or neglected. They need love, affection, guidance, and security. This program helps these children develop trust and good feelings about themselves while benefitting from a secure, caring, family environment. The Turnabout Program offers:

* An alternative to more restrictive settings for kids who cannot be adequately helped at home.
* Support for the "treatment" foster parents as well as for birth or adoptive families.
* Case management services for the child.
* A team approach dedicated to strengthening and empowering children and families.

Children in the Turnabout Program are children and adolescents from the ages of five years through 18 years who live in Nassau County. Despite many efforts such as counseling, prevention services, and in some cases, even hospitalizations, mental health professionals along with birth or adoptive parents agree that the child may benefit from a placement in treatment foster care outside of their own home. This is where Turnabout steps in offering these children a very special environment in which they will have the greatest chance to prosper. Turnabout Professional Families are the main agents of treatment. Professional parents or "Treatment Foster Families" are very special people who are motivated to take Turnabout children into their homes and provide them with stable, caring home environments where self-esteem and social skills develop and grow. These treatment families are recruited, carefully screened and selected, and well trained in a behavioral management program. Family Specialists, who have Masters Degrees in Social Work, work intensively with each Turnabout child, with the child's birth or adoptive family, as well as with the Turnabout
Professional Family. These Family Specialists serve as a support system guiding the Professional Family on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis. The Family Specialists also provide case management, advocacy, and liaison services for the children and families in negotiating all systems involved such as schools, courts, SSI, and probation. The "team" approach is central to Turnabout's success. This important Team consists of:

* The Turnabout child or adolescent
* The birth or adoptive parents
* The Turnabout professional staff
* The Professional Foster "Treatment" Family

If you would like more information about TURNABOUT or if your are interested in becoming a foster treatment parent, contact Lee Holtzman at (516) 997-4313 Ext. 258 or Tonia Tucker at Ext. 247. - Fax: (516) 876-9837.

TURNABOUT
Family Based Treatment Program
North Shore Child & Family
Guidance Center
999 Brush Hollow Road
Westbury, New York 11590-1766
Phone: (516) 997-4313 þþ Fax: 876-98370

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES ACTION RESEARCH TO EXPLORE LONG ISLAND YOUTH'S PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE

Roslyn Heights, NY -- In an attempt to answer the question, "How do suburbia's children view the future - with hope or despair?" the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, in partnership with Child Care Council of Nassau; Early Care and Education - Long Island; Family Service League - Long Island; Long Beach Reach; the Rauch Foundation; and St. Christopher Ottilie Family of Services, sent out a detailed questionnaire to more than 1,000 students from seven high schools across Nassau and Suffolk counties, approximately half male and half female. According to Andrew Malekoff, the Guidance Center's Associate Director and the project coordinator, the results left the researchers with more questions than answers.
Malekoff explains that action research is "an approach that combines various methods including the use of a social survey to raise consciousness, promote interaction among diverse groups, and motivate people to work towards change both individually and collectively." The central theme of investigation in this most recent project is local youth's perception of the future.
The findings will be discussed for the first time at a one day intergenerational conference entitled, "Hope or Despair: Suburbia's Children Look Into the Future." The conference will be held on Friday, March 31, 2006, at the Roslyn Heights headquarters of North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, the leading Long Island specialty children's mental health agency caring for the emotional health of children, youth, and their families. This is the Center's sixth action research project in the past 20 years.
A total of 1,045 students participated in the survey. These youngsters, from across the socio-economic spectrum, expressed worries about health and safety. They reported that their areas of greatest concern were school grades, health of family members, and safety of family members. These concerns even surpassed their concern with their own safety.
In 1984, many of the same questions were posed to another group of Long Island students. The results of that survey are not directly comparable, but instructive in some ways. Then, the deep concern they wrote about had to do with fear of nuclear war, clearly eclipsing academic achievement, the environment, or family relations. A sense of helplessness pervaded their responses.
In the most recent survey we can see that youth worry most about school and the health of family members and, as might be expected, they are also very concerned about war and terrorism. What is worse, however, is that children don't expect things to improve within the next ten years. In fact, they expect war and the environment to get worse. In open-ended responses youth were unexpectedly raw and expansive in their remarks about whether things could or could not change for the better and whether adults could do anything about it. One youth wrote, "Murder, drugs, rape - yeah, it concerns us, but what can we expect you to do about it?"
The survey also revealed that Long Island youth see problems with being able to stay on Long Island. And, according to their responses, there is little trust in some of our major social institutions. They experience a society that doesn't seem to be ruled by laws or by moral values. Religious leaders, politicians, and lawyers are not seen as worthy of respect nor is the government seen as trustworthy.
What does this say about our society? Why has this happened? What can be done to reclaim the admiration and trust of our youth? These questions will provide challenges for parents, teachers, and other concerned adults. The study revealed children greatly worried about their families and we must explore the reasons our youth have become so concerned. We will need to look at what has happened to our families and what can be done about it.
For more information on this Action Research project or the upcoming conference, contact the Center's Public Information Officer, Jane E. Meckwood-Yazdpour at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES FALL WORKSHOP SERIES

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- The Bereavement and Trauma Center of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for more than half a century, offers individual and group counseling for Adults and Children age 7+. Fall Bereavement Groups will begin on Thursday, September 21, 2006. To register for these groups call (516) 299-5373 Ext. 234 to schedule a screening appointment.

Taking Care, a Community Health and Well-Being Workshop Series will feature three free workshops:

- TAKE A LOAD OFF! Monday, October 2, 2006 7:30 - 9 PM
Feeling like there is too much on your plate? Schedules, jobs, kids, finances stressing you? Sometimes it feels as though life is handing us much more than we can manage. In this workshop, we will discuss stress reduction techniques including effective time management, finding support networks, and relaxation exercises.

- TAKE A HIKE ! Sunday, October 15, 2006 9 AM - 2 PM
This is a very special outdoor experience for parents and children. Led by Bruce Kaufstein, LCSW, Coordinator of the NSC&FGC Wilderness Program, pre-registration is necessary.

- TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF, YOU BELONG TO ... Maintaining Sane Relationships in Crazy-Making Times ! Monday, October 23, 2006 7:30 - 9 PM
Everyone knows that unchecked stress can lead to major health problems, but, what about the health of relationships? This workshop will explore the impact of stress on family life. We will place special attention on techniques and strategies that encourage healthy connections.

There is no charge for these workshops. The October 2nd and October 23rd workshops do not require pre-registration but the October 15th outdoor hike does.

The October 2nd and October 23rd workshops will be held at: the Bereavement & Trauma Center of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center; 480 Old Westbury Road; Roslyn Heights, N.Y. 11577-2215. Directions to the Center are:

Going East: LIE to Exit 37 (Willis Ave.) Stay on the Eastbound service road. Cross Locust Lane and make a right into the first driveway.

Going West: LIE to Exit 39N (Glen Cove Rd.) Stay on the westbound service road. Turn left at Locust Lane (under the LIE) and then another immediate left onto the eastbound service road. Turn right into first driveway.

From Meadowbrook Pkwy./Northern State Pkwy.: Meadowbrook North to the Northern State West. Exit at Roslyn Road North. Turn right at top of exit ramp. Travel north on Roslyn Rd. to LIE eastbound service road. Turn right. Cross Locust Lane and make a right into first driveway.

For Questions or More Information about this Workshop Series Contact: Ruth Greenberg (516) 626-1971 Ext. 341.

Additional services offered at the Bereavement & Trauma Center Include:

-SPAN Single Parent Action Network for separated and divorced adults. Meets every other Tuesday evening at 7 PM. This is a mutual aid support group. Contact Linda Reilly 299-5373 Ext. 234.
-Suicide Survivors Group. Meets 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. Contact Debbie Kasimir 299-5373 Ext. 224.
-Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of Homicide Victims Outreach for the Secondary Victim. Meets 4th Friday of every month at 7:30 PM. Contact Judy Esposito 299-5373 Ext. 236.Contact the Bereavement & Trauma Center of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center at: (516) 299-5373 Ext. 224 or 245. For information about other programs and services at the Center call (516) 626-1971 Ext.309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES THE 2006 SNOW BALL - DECEMBER 2ND

Roslyn Heights, NY -- Save the Date -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for over half a century will hold it's annual fundraising event on Saturday evening, December 2nd, 2006, at Hempstead House in the Sands Point Preserve beginning at 7 PM. The 2006 Snow Ball event will honor Marion S. Levine, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. The event will also pay tribute to Center Past Presidents: Sandra Garfunkel, Dorothy Greene, Andrew Imperatore (in memoriam), Lucille S. Kantor, Nancy E. Lane, Rochelle Lipton, Leonard Rautenberg (in memoriam), Marie Rautenberg, Jane Schwartz, and Linda Seaman. The event will also feature a salute to Mary Tyler Moore.

Co-Chairs of this event are Rita and Frank Castagna, Andrea and Michael Leeds, and Joanne and Robert Sexton. The Journal Chair is Deborah Kendric; Prize Chair Liza Golden; and the Event Committee is: Angela Susan Anton; Janice Ashley and Peter Quigley; Stacy and Charles Bennett; Jane and Charles Berger; Maureen and John Ferrari; Linda and Martin Fleisher; Lisa and Scott Golden; Andrea and Danny Green; Wende and Gary Green; Jo-Ellen and Ira Hazan; Rebecca and Steven Hollander; Irene and Robert Hylton; Honorable Craig Johnson and Elizabeth Kase; Deborah and Christopher Kendric; Eileen and Ed Kline; Arlene Lavitt; Margo Messina; Debby and Scott Rechler; Renee and Robert Rimsky; Arlene and Richard Sirlin; and Christine Tricarico. (List Incomplete)

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers a wide array of programs and services that range from core mental health services to special programs that help with such issues as learning difficulties, early childhood, crisis and trauma services, abuse prevention and treatment, maternal depression, bereavement, divorce, and more.

For more information about tickets, journal ads, and sponsorships for the 2006 Snow Ball or about the programs and services of the Center, contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development, at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW PET THERAPY PROGRAM

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for more than half a century, has begun a new program using therapy dogs as an integral part of therapy services. Sandra Whiteside, LCSW, who was a therapist at the Center for nineteen years before retiring two years ago, has returned with her two therapy dogs, to offer this special service. Children who are fearful of dogs can overcome those fears with the aid of these remarkable therapy dogs in a clinical setting. Ms. Whiteside has been using her various dogs to help children and families since 1977, but now this treatment modality has increasingly been recognized throughout the clinical community for its effectiveness.

Although helping fearful children become comfortable with canines is an obvious benefit, there are many individuals and groups that can also benefit from the warm acceptance of a loveable and gentle dog.

During this kind of therapy, Ms. Whiteside and her therapy dog works closely with the child's therapist in each session. She and her dogs have collaborated with many clinicians, psychologists, and social workers throughout the years with great success. This animal-assisted therapy has been an integral part of therapy for a number of years when dealing with not only fear but with anxiety and depression as well.

Children who had been terrified of animals due to a physical assault, have been able to become brave and empowered after this sensitive therapy. Children who lost a parent or family member in the September 11th attacks were helped and cheered by a visit from one of the therapy dogs. An abused teenager who could not trust adults felt she could open up with the help of a special basset hound named Elvis. A group of very anxious kids were delighted that Ms. Whiteside's little dog, Margie, made friends with them and helped several very quiet little girls blossom for the first time. Ms. Whiteside's golden retriever, Lola, regularly visits inpatients at Schneider Children's Hospital as well as adults at the Alzheimer's Foundation. A successful new program, created by Ms. Whiteside, is the "Reading to Dogs" program which she began at Sagamore Children's Center. Once again Elvis took center stage as a very patient and beloved "listener" to children - with great results. Charlotte Bayer, the Guidance Center's education specialist has used the very successful "Reading to Dogs" program with her clients as well.

For more information about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center contact Jane E. Meckwood-Yazdpour at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309 or visit the web at www.northshorechildguidance.org .

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES POST 9/11 SERVICES

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's specialty mental health center for more than half a century, is currently offering special services for those who are still feeling the impact of the attacks of September 11th. These health and wellness services are being offered as part of the Center's ongoing commitment to those in our communities who are still suffering from this traumatic event.

Individual therapy, family therapy, and support groups are being offered to the following groups at no cost:
· Children, adolescents, or adults who have experienced the death of a family member as a result of the World Trade Center disaster.
· Children, adolescents, or adults who were victims or family members of victims of the World Trade Center disaster.
· Children, adolescents, or adults who were recovery workers or family members of recovery workers at the World Trade Center site.

Please contact Linda Reilly at the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's Bereavement and Trauma Center at (516) 299-5373 ext. 234 if you, or someone you know, is interested in these services.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO, MARION LEVINE, TO RETIRE

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for more than half a century, will honor it's Executive Director/CEO, Marion Levine, at its 2006 Snow Ball to be held on December 2nd at Hempstead House in the Sands Point Preserve. At that event a special salute will also be given to Mary Tyler Moore and a tribute to the Center's Presidents who have served during Ms. Levine's tenure.

Marion Levine was hired by the guidance center in 1974. Under her leadership, the Center has grown and expanded to its present position as Nassau County's preeminent children's specialty mental health facility. Responding to the needs of their communities, Ms. Levine lead the way with new and innovative program development and the expansion of the Center's financial development through diversification of government contracts, foundation grants, corporate support, and joint ventures with schools and other agencies.

During the area's most traumatic events such as the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the Long Island Railroad Massacre, the Lynbrook Church murders, and the Avianca plane crash, Ms. Levine has been a prominent force in setting up both emergency and ongoing services for victims and their families. The County calls upon the Center to respond to the many issues that face the children, youth, and families of the many communities that make up the Long Island suburban area. All of this work culminated in an important documentary hosted by Barbara Walters and broadcast on the ABC Television network as part of that network's 9/11 First Anniversary programming.

Someone who made an important contribution to the Center's media positioning has been actress Mary Tyler Moore. It was in the fall of 1983 that Ms. Tyler Moore first appeared at a North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center event on the arm of Dr. S. Robert Levine, the son of Marion Levine. Ms. Tyler Moore's connection to the Center became even stronger with her marriage to Dr. Levine. Coupled with her genuine interest and concern for children's mental health issues, she became active in the organization, and, as a Board Member, she hosted a major fund raising event in the early 90's, starred in benefit performances, for the Center, of "Love Letters" (co-starring Gene Wilder) and later her one-woman show. She has also starred in many videos for the organization throughout the more than 20 years that she has been a part of the Center family.

Perhaps the best way to understand the important and seminal work of Marion Levine is to listen to her own words, written as part of the Center's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2003. " Serving for more than half of the life of an historic organization like North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center gives you a rare perspective on the process of institutional survival and on institution building. It also tests your ability to perform multiple tasks on an almost hourly basis.

It has been a particularly satisfying professional experience to have had talented and dedicated colleagues who, for decades, stood side by side with me. The organization is so unusual in the loyalties of its volunteers and supporters. One has to stretch back to include for acknowledgement and thanks such distinguished families as: the Marks', the Rautenbergs, the Greenes, the Coharts, the Schwartzs, the Lanes, the Kantors, the Imperatores, the Seamans, the Garfunkels, the Liptons, the Leeds', the Castagnas, the Antons, and the Hazans - amazingly, these families still remain active supporters and Board Members who still give great effort to keep our engines running.

It's a rare piece of luck for someone like myself who has had to watch the steady decline of professional standards of practice in so many other places, to have been able to contribute to quality and even to advance it in such a compatible and affectionate place as North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center."

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES NELLIE TAYLOR-WALTHRUST NAMED DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH SERVICES

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for more than half a century, has named Dr. Nellie Taylor Walthrust as its Director of Outreach Services. As part of her position she will be responsible for coordinating all of the outreach services for the Center which will include offsite programs in the Westbury, Uniondale, and Port Washington high schools.

She holds an AAS and a BS degree from Empire State College where she was named Outstanding Student of 1993. She holds a Substance Abuse Counselors license from New York State.

Dr. Taylor Walthrust, who previously received her Master of Arts in Christian Counseling as well as her Doctorate of Ministry in Theology this past year from the International Bible College and Seminary, holds ministerial credentials from the Pentascostal International Fellowship.

She came to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center in July of 1989 as a Substance Abuse Counselor at The Place of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center then located on Sylvester Street in Westbury. Since 1997 she has supervised outreach services for the Center, this year being named Director of Outreach Services. Dr. Taylor Walthrust has been instrumental in the work of the Center's Good Beginnings for Babies Program (which offers support, education, counseling, and advocacy for pregnant and parenting teens), the Hispanic Family Life Project (which offers school groups and community development sensitive to the needs of Hispanic immigrants), the 21st Century Program (a partnership with the Westbury School District providing part-time social workers to assist Hispanic and Haitian Creole parents during after school hours), and the Advantage Afterschool Program (an innovative program that provides a wide array of activities for selected ninth graders in Westbury High School.)

For more information about the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, contact Jane E. Meckwood-Yazdpour, in the Office of Public Information at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM THE BANK OF AMERICA

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading children's mental health center, has received a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America to benefit the Center's Advantage After School Program.

The Advantage Afterschool Program is an innovative program that provides an array of activities for selected ninth graders in Westbury High School between the hours of 3 and 6 PM. This preventive program is expected to soon be expanded to selected youngsters from the elementary school as well.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services.

For specific information on the Advantage After School Program contact Nellie Taylor-Walthrust at (516) 997-2926 Ext. 229. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES CONTRIBUTION FROM NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION INTEGRATED SYSTEMS TO BENEFIT YOUTH AT RISK

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading, specialty, children's mental health center for more than half a century, has recently received a $5,000 special contribution from Northrop Grumman to the Center's Scholarship Fund for Youth at Risk.

The Leeds Place - Serving Young People, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center's unique program that mingles mental health services with alcohol and drug abuse prevention for children, adolescents, and their families, has a distinct reputation for being especially available to special populations and for being culturally competent and sensitive to diverse families that need help. In 2001, the Center established a scholarship fund through the generosity of Northrop Grumman for children at The Leeds Place. Five teens were chosen to receive grants to assist them in attending college. Those selected returned to The Leeds Place during their freshman years and provided 20 hours of community service. This new grant from Northrop Grumman will continue the scholarship program again this year for the sixth year.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers a multi-faceted array of programs and services. For more information on the Center contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM MANHASSET COMMUNITY FUND/GREENTREE FOUNDATION

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center, has received a $6,000 grant from the Manhasset community Fund/Greentree Foundation to benefit the Center's Wilderness Program.

The Wilderness Program provides a unique opportunity for a group of adolescents to participate in wilderness activities and group meetings which act as a gateway to mastery of social skills, enhancement of self esteem and group communication, and individual maturity and growth. The weekend program schedules over 26 full and half-day wilderness activities throughout the year.

The wilderness setting provides group members with countless challenges that they can successfully meet. The goal of the program is for the members to recognize their successes and growth, internalize those gains, and learn how to access these memories and feelings when they face challenges in their everyday lives, whether the challenges be physical, emotional, or social. If they can remember how difficult a struggle it was during any one activity, and how they succeeded when they thought success was impossible, they will be more able to summon up the strength and confidence to meet the frustration and challenges in their daily lives.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services.

For specific information on the Wilderness Program contact Bruce Kaufstein at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 316. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Jane Meckwood-Yazdpour, Public Information Officer, at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 309.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER RECEIVES GRANT FROM NEWSDAY CHARITIES

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading specialty children's mental health center for more than half a century, has received a $10,000 grant from the Newsday Charities, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. The purpose of this grant is to help fund the Center's Good Beginnings for Babies program, for pregnant and parenting teens.

The Good Beginnings for Babies program is a very successful and valuable community resource offering support, counseling, advocacy, vocational guidance and training, as well as education for pregnant and parenting teenagers, both female and male.

For more information about the Good Beginnings for Babies program or the other programs and services of NSC&FGC, contact Amy Gordon at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM THE O'SULLIVAN CHILDREN FOUNDATION

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading, specialty, children's mental health center, has received a $10,000 grant from The O'Sullivan Children Foundation to benefit the Center's Family Advocate Program.

The Family Advocate Program is a service for high risk children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. The program provides support services to families of these troubled youngsters. These services include both individual and group support services as well as advocacy to help insure that the parent voice is part of any discussion regarding these children and youth. The program seeks to empower parents to become strong advocates for their children; provide information to families about child-serving systems; help families learn how to successfully navigate service systems; provide intensive support to parents on an as needed basis; and have families learn to develop more natural support systems.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services.

For specific information on the Family Advocate Program contact Margo Messina at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 370. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM THE RITE AID FOUNDATION

Roslyn Heights, NY, -- North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island's leading, specialty, children's mental health center, has received a $10,000 grant from The Rite Aid Foundation to benefit the Center's Good Beginnings for Babies Program.

This program provides support, counseling, advocacy, and education for pregnant and parenting teens - both female and male.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has cared for the emotional health of the Long Island community for more than half a century, offering a multi-faceted array of programs and services.

For specific information on the Good Beginnings for Babies Program contact Nellie Taylor-Walthrust at (516) 997-2926 Ext. 229. For more information on the Center's other programs and services contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER HONORS SANDRA RADZANOWER WOLKOFF

Roslyn Heights, NY -- On May 16th, Sandra Radzanower Wolkoff will receive Long Island Business News' prestigious 50 Most Influential Women of Long Island award. This award comes as a culmination of Ms. Radzanower Wolkoff's more than 30 years of service to the children, youth, and families of Long Island. North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers congratulations to Ms. Radzanower Wolkoff on this signal honor.

Sandra Radzanower Wolkoff , LCSW, is the Director of the Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center at North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, the leading children's specialty mental health center in the region. She is also the Center's Director of Training and Consultation Services. Sandy has been an integral part of the program development, community outreach and the leadership and growth of the center for over 30 years.

She developed the Lindner Early Childhood Training Institute to provide on-site training and consultation services to child care centers and nursery schools, and has worked closely with the Child Care Councils of both Nassau and Suffolk. She has also created clinical training programs, including the Garfunkel Certificate Program for the Treatment of Young Children and the Multi-Dimensional Child, and has trained educators and clinicians for over 15 years. Ms. Radzanower Wolkoff designed a mental health consultation model for Nassau County's EOC Head Start that was recognized by the American Orthopsychiatric Association as one of the best in the country. Tens of thousands of parents and professionals have attended her trainings over the years.

Her publication, the LECTI Newsletter, was the first of its kind to provide developmental information to parents and early childhood professionals in the area. In 1996, Ms. Radzanower Wolkoff brought the Parent and preschooler Newsletter, an award-winning, internationally-subscribed guide to child development, to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. She is the Managing Editor of this publication. A frequent contributor to the newsletter, she co-edited Raising Young Children Well: Insights and Ideas for Parents and Teachers, due out this summer from Other Press.

The Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center is the early childhood mental health site of NSC&FGC, with many treatment services for families with young children. Through her efforts the Center recently received funding for the Diane Goldberg Postpartum Depression Program to provide treatment services for new mothers and their families. The Right from the Start Center has eleven staff seeing over 250 families each year.

After September 11th, Ms. Radzanower Wolkoff was one of a select group of experts invited to train clinical professionals in New York City and Nassau County on how to treat trauma and anxiety in children. She has worked with social workers, judges, attorneys and other court staff in New York City and Nassau County on maternal depression and child development for the Permanent Judicial Council on Justice for Children, a program of Judge Judith Kaye.

On the advisory board of ECELI, an advocacy initiative for young children and the Parent Institute at Adelphi University, she was formerly on the board of the Family Resource Center of New York and had been a member of an advisory council for the Long Island Children's Museum.

A frequent presenter and keynoter at conferences nationally, Sandy was invited faculty at the prestigious National Training Institute for the Zero to Three Center. She is a respected freelance writer and has had professional articles published in the Journal of Zero to Three, has a regular column in Newsday's Long Island Parents and Children and hosted and co-produced the television program, Ages and Stages, on Cablevision.

In addition, Sandy Radzanower Wolkoff developed a support program for Holocaust Survivors and led a Child of Survivors group for several years.

She was born in Israel and raised in the Bronx, New York where she graduated from the prestigious Bronx Science High School. She is a graduate of C.C.N.Y., received her Masters in Social Work as a member of the Advanced Standing Program at Adelphi University and is currently at Adelphi University as a doctoral student working towards her Ph.D. in Social Work. Married with three grown children, she lives on Long Island.

For more information on the programs and services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, contact Amy Gordon, Director of Development, at (516) 626-1971 Ext. 320 - or visit the web at www.northshorechildguidance.org.

NORTH SHORE CHILD & FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER OFFERS TIPS FOR PARENTS DURING TIME OF WAR

Roslyn Heights -- During these turbulent and anxiety-provoking days, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center,