Note: This week’s blog is an excerpt of a letter sent by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff to our board, supporters and staff.
Just two weeks ago, a single parent walked in our Roslyn Heights office seeking mental health care for her child who was experiencing distress that included mood swings and severe behavioral problems. As our intake staff member gathered information from the parent, we learned that the family first called for an appointment at the outpatient facility of a large local hospital system.
When the parent contacted the hospital’s outpatient program, she was told that they could not see the child until July 2019!The parent informed her school, located in mid-Nassau County. The school, which sends representatives to attend our annual pupil personnel meeting in October of each year, then referred the parent to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. We responded immediately, as is our practice. It’s not that we aren’t extremely busy. It’s that we structure our services not to turn people away. We understand what being turned away means to a family with a child living with mental illness. We offer universal access to care.
Sadly, for many families on Long Island this is not an unusual story. In fact, we had been negotiating with the very same hospital system to subcontract with us, using an abundance of NY State funds allocated to several large hospital systems on Long Island, to grow our emergency services. The negotiations went on for the better part of a year at which point the hospital suddenly withdrew, despite the fact that we were given a contract by them to expand our emergency services. In other words, they backed out with no explanation. All of the talks had been routine and collegial. No red flags.
Soon thereafter the same large hospital system opened an “urgent care” unit of their own for children. In that “urgent care” program, they see patients only briefly, usually once, and then refer them out. They have referred many children to the Guidance Center, increasing our caseload without providing us with the additional funding they had originally promised. More funding would have meant more staff to meet the growing demand that we face, exacerbated by their referrals.
We are proud to have structured our services to be able to respond rapidly and without creating waiting lists, despite the fact that we are not funded or staffed like hospitals.
As a result of what we do and how we do it, we were able to see that “walk-in” – the parent who came with her distressed child after being turned away by the big hospital outpatient program with an “urgent care” unit.
This is just one illustration that represents many of those families that call us and walk through our doors. Just think about everyone else who has called that hospital since and were told that they must wait seven months to be seen. It’s tragic.
I’m grateful to our board and supporters for their leadership, faith and continued support that enable us to be a beacon of hope for so many children and families that would otherwise be left in the cold. I’m also very proud of our staff for their dedication, expertise and hard work.
Rest well in knowing that at least for that parent and that child, Christmas wasn’t a time of worrying about who they could turn to next – because they found North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center.
I was pleased to lend my support for the Mental Health First Aid Training Bill introduced at the Nassau County Legislative meeting of Dec. 17. The bill was developed and introduced by Legislator Siela Bynoe, who invited me to testify in support of the bill. Following is my testimony:
“The Mental Health First Aid Training Bill aims to educate designated county employees to recognize the symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders, take steps to de-escalate a crisis, and make timely and relevant referrals to appropriate service providers in Nassau County.
When considering whether there is a need to implement such training, consider this: Everyday 290 Americans die from suicide or a drug overdose. With timely and appropriate intervention many of these tragedies could be prevented.
The Mental Health Bill recommends use of the curriculum developed by National Council of Behavioral Health. Mental Health First Aid is a live training course, which uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect persons to professional, peer and social supports as well as self-help resources.
The training focuses on early detection and intervention by teaching participants about the signs and symptoms of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and addictions.
The training includes developing a Mental Health First Aid Action Plan, assessing for risk of suicide or harm, listening non-judgmentally, giving reassurance and information, and encouraging appropriate professional help and self-help strategies.
2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires that health insurers treat illnesses above the neck the same as illnesses below the neck with respect to access to timely and affordable care. There is still a very long way to go towards health insurers complying with this law and New York State government enforcing it.
Nassau County can be a leader in eradicating stigma and discrimination by educating its personnel to better understand these illnesses, develop skills to detect and intervene, and enable individuals to access care in the community.
I strongly endorse this bill and thank you for introducing it and taking the time to consider its value.”
I am happy to report that later that day the bill passed the legislature with full bi-partisan support. In so doing, Nassau County has set a great example and taken a proactive step ahead.
The implementation of the Mental Health First Aid Training Bill will help to save lives, preserve families, reduce stigma, fight discrimination and improve access to care. It is also a giant step forward in support of the civil rights of our neighbors living with mental illness and substance use disorders.
Many parents worry throughout the year about their teens’ exposure to alcohol and drugs, but the concern is magnified when talk of New Year’s Eve parties enters the conversation.
While you don’t want to spoil their opportunity to ring in the New Year with their friends, the thought of them being at parties where alcohol and possibly even drugs are being used is justifiably concerning.
Below are some ideas on how you can keep your teens safe as they welcome in the year to come.
If your teens plan to go to a party, make sure you talk to the parents where the festivities are being held. Your teen might be horrified at this prospect, but you have every right to discuss your expectations with the hosts. Ask if alcohol is being served (and if your teens are under 21, the answer should be a resounding no). Ask if the parents will be home at all times during the party. If they won’t, don’t be afraid to tell your teens they aren’t allowed to go.
Once you are assured that parents will be there to supervise and the party is alcohol-free, nail down the details. That means finding out who is driving them and taking them home (the safest choice is for you to take on that role). Set a reasonable curfew based on their age. Young teens don’t need to be out past midnight, and even older kids can call it quits shortly after the clock strikes 12.
Establish a plan to check in several times during the night. Make it clear ahead of time that if you call or text and get no answer, you will be heading over to get them.
Not comfortable with the level of supervision at the party? Help your teens create alternative plans. The best way to know your kids are safe and in a supervised environment is to host the gathering at your home. Give them free reign in choosing decorations, food, music and other entertainment ideas, but make it clear that alcohol and drugs are forbidden.
Despite taking all precautions, the reality is that your teens may find themselves in a situation where they are being pressured to drink or use drugs. Tell them that you will be willing and able to get them at any time during the night—and that if they or their friends have been drinking, the most important thing is for them to contact you for a ride. The biggest risk that kids face on New Year’s Eve and any day of the year is being involved in a car accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, with six teens ages 16 to 19 dying every day from motor vehicle injuries.
In addition, the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the CDC found that among high school students, during the past 30 days
30% drank some amount of alcohol.
14% binge drank.
6% drove after drinking alcohol.
17% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
As parents, we must do all we can to educate our kids about the dangers of underage drinking, but we also need to face the reality that even “good” kids can start heading down a dangerous path.
Does your teen have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse? Substance use treatment and prevention services are provided for adolescents, young children ages 6-24 and their families at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s Leeds Place in Westbury. Substance use services include counseling youths who are alcohol and drug abusers, children who live in families with a parent who is suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction and youths who have co-occurring chemical dependency and mental health problems. Prevention services are offered to local school districts. Call (516) 626-1971 to find out more.
Cathy and Frank Castagna, Andrew Malekoff, Lauren McGowan, Rita Castagna and Ernie Lagoja enjoy the festivities at Brooks Brothers. (Photo courtesy of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center)
On Nov. 29, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center partnered with Americana Manhasset’s Brooks Brothers store to co-host an opening night celebration of Champions For Charity.
The gathering featured cocktails, hor d’oeuvres and lots of conversation and camaraderie as shoppers took advantage of the opportunity to buy items while contributing to causes. Twenty-five percent of the pretax price on items sold was donated to support the Guidance Center’s mission and that of other charities.
Jo-Ellen Hazan was among several Guidance Center Board Members and friends who attended the festive evening.
“It was fun to see such a wonderful turn out of friends supporting the kickoff event at Brooks Brothers,” said Hazan. “We are grateful to Champions For Charity for including us each year!”
Other Guidance Center board members who enjoyed the hospitality of Brooks Brothers included Charles Chan, Rita Castagna, Tracey Kupferberg and Nancy Lane, as well as executive director Andrew Malekoff.
“All of the people at Champions For Charity, along with the employees who work for the participating stores, make a real difference in our communities,” said Malekoff. “This October, at our 65th Sapphire Anniversary Gala, the Guidance Center honored Champions For Charity for the amazing contribution they have made to support our mission. We look forward to working with these dedicated community partners for many years to come.”
Americana Manhasset’s Champions For Charity has been a leading philanthropic initiative for over 20 years, and the Guidance Center has been a part of the event since its beginning. Every holiday season, more than 100 not-for-profit organizations benefit from this impressive holiday shopping program. Since its inception in 1996, Champions For Charity has raised nearly $12 million for local charities.
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s 65th Sapphire Anniversary gala raised more than $620,000 to support the Guidance Center’s mission to bring hope and healing to children and their families who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. The gala, which honored philanthropists Andrea and Michael Leeds and Americana Manhasset’s Champions for Charity, marked the most successful fundraising event in the Guidance Center’s history.
Much of the credit for the historic night goes to our thought-provoking speaker Linda Beigel Schulman, the mother of Scott J. Beigel, one of the teachers killed in the shootings in Parkland, Florida. Her moving speech brought everyone to their feet.
“It was my honor to be the guest speaker and share Scott’s story,” said Schulman. “Those who attended were so warm and caring; I can honestly say new friendships were made. The success of the evening speaks volumes to the importance of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center.”
Honorees Andrea and Michael Leeds and Americana Manhasset’s Champions for Charity drew an A-list of supporters from Long Island and as far away as California.
Andrea Leeds has been a board member at the Guidance Center for more than 20 years. She and her husband Michael are dedicated philanthropists, and they have supported many causes both on Long Island and across the globe. But the Guidance Center holds a special place in their hearts.
“Mike and I are delighted with the unexpected level of support that came from our friends and family,” said Andrea Leeds. “We were all moved by Linda Schulman’s heartbreaking story, and also by her continuing support and engagement with the Guidance Center. It was a wonderful event, and we’re especially proud to help the Guidance Center provide essential mental health services to those in need—particularly those who can’t afford it in this time of shrinking government support.”
“Andrea’s father was a New York City cop. She wonders where her family would have gone to get services like the Guidance Center provides,” added Mike Leeds.
The gala’s other honoree, Americana Manhasset’s Champions for Charity, hosts an annual holiday shopping event that supports more than 100 not-for-profit organizations, including the Guidance Center. The event, which this year takes place from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2, has raised nearly $12 million since its inception in 1996.
“The Sapphire Gala had an air of compassion and a ‘champion’ spirit of generosity in support of the heroic service the Guidance Center provides children and families in crisis,” said Deirdre Costa Major, president, Castagna Realty Retail Group. “When we support the Guidance Center, we help make a difference. We are proud that Champions for Charity is one way of bringing people from our community together to help make a difference.”
Every person who contributed their time and talents to the gala was exceptional. They include event co-chairs Matilde and Cliff Broder and Rosemarie and Mitchell Klipper; journal co-chairs Jo-Ellen Hazan and the recently deceased John J. Gutleber, who passed away unexpectedly in September; and auction co-chairs Deirdre Costa Major and Charles G. Chan. The Mistress of Ceremonies was News 12 Long Island’s Carol Silva, whose professionalism and generous spirit set the tone for a fantastic evening.
“Even today’s news headlines show us how some people are in such need of mental health support,” said Silva. “They think that they’re alone, but on Long island, we have North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, which has opened doors and opened arms for any child or family in need. It was one of the most beautiful events of the year for me, plus it was a whole lot of fun.”
“We are extremely grateful to our honorees, speaker, mistress of ceremonies, donors, sponsors and all who worked so hard on the gala committee,” said Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff. “For 65 years, we have been dedicated to providing mental health services to all children and families, regardless of their ability to pay. And because of the generosity of everyone involved, we will be able to continue to provide the best in care to the community.”
All proceeds will benefit the Guidance Center. To learn more about the organization’s services, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call 516-626-1971.
