Forestdale Inc

FORESTDALE PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SERVICE SUPPORTS TO FAMILIES IN QUEENS TO HELP THEM HEAL FROM TRAUMA, ADDRESS THE OBSTACLES PRESENTED BY POVERTY, AND IMPROVE FAMILY FUNCTIONING SO THEY CAN PROVIDE THE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL HELP THEIR CHILDREN THRIVE. FORESTDALE APPROACHES THIS BY PROVIDING SUPPORTS FOR FAMILY STABILIZATION, PARENTING PROGRAMS THAT HELP FATHERS AND MOTHERS BECOME THE GREAT PARENTS THEY WANT TO BE, AND EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS THAT HELP LAUNCH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE INTO SUCCESSFUL ADULTHOOD.

FOSTER CARE SERVICES:FORESTDALE'S STRONG FAMILIES FOSTER CARE PROGRAM WORKED WITH 600 CHILDREN AGED 0-21 PLACED IN FOSTER CARE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. FORESTDALE'S FOSTER CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE AND NURTURING HOMES TO HELP YOUTH ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL, ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS. WE AIM TO RETURN CHILDREN HOME TO THEIR PARENTS AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED SOLUTION BASED CASEWORK (SBC) WHICH HELPS CASE PLANNERS AND FAMILIES CREATE A PARTNERSHIP, IDENTIFY DESTRUCTIVE PATTERNS OF EVERYDAY FAMILY LIFE, AND ESTABLISH NEW WAYS OF INTERACTING TO CREATE SAFETY AND REDUCE RISK IN THOSE FAMILY SITUATIONS. OUR CASE WORK MODEL, DYNAMIC PARENTING PROGRAMS, TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES, AND ACADEMIC AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOCUS ON PROVIDING OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

PREVENTIVE SERVICES:OUR STRONG FAMILIES PREVENTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 500 FAMILIES PER YEAR AND HELPS THEM AVOID FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT THROUGH OUR INTERVENTION WHICH INCLUDES INTENSIVE COUNSELING TO ADDRESS UNEMPLOYMENT, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, TRUANCY AND MENTAL HEALTH. PREVENTIVE CASE PLANNERS HELP FAMILIES IDENTIFY STRENGTHS TO BUILD UPON AS WELL AS OBSTACLES THAT IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO BE INTIMATE AND SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER, FROM CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT TO EDUCATIONAL NEGLECT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. FAMILIES TYPICALLY RECEIVE ONE YEAR OF SERVICES UNDER THE PREVENTIVE PROGRAM.

HEALTH SERVICES:THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH NYU AND A NETWORK OF HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, WE HELP TO ENSURE THAT NEARLY 400 CHILDREN RECEIVE GREAT PREVENTIVE AND ROUTINE HEALTHCARE, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO SPECIALTY CARE, WHEN NEEDED. OUR NEW HEALTH HOME PROGRAM PROVIDES A CARE MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR OUR YOUTH WITH SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES TO THEIR PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. THE CONCEPT IS TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE FOR THE MOST HIGH-NEED MEDICAID PATIENTS BY AVERTING COSTLY HOSPITAL STAYS THROUGH ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PREVENTIVE AND ROUTINE TREATMENT. 173 OF OUR YOUTH WERE ENROLLED AND RECEIVING COORDINATED CARE LED BY SEVERAL DEDICATED CARE MANAGERS WHO PARTNER WITH A STRONG NETWORK OF EXPERIENCED HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONALS.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE: FORESTDALE FATHERING INITIATIVE: THE STRONG FATHERS PROGRAM WORKED WITH OVER 200 NON-CUSTODIAL FATHERS TO HELP THEM RE-ENGAGE IN THEIR FAMILIES' LIVES. THE PURPOSE OF THE STRONG FATHERS PROGRAM IS TO PREPARE MEN TO LOVINGLY ENGAGE WITH THEIR CHILDREN, SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY FINANCIALLY, AND DEVELOP HEALTHY AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN'S MOTHERS. THE HEART OF THE INITIATIVE IS A 12-WEEK COURSE THAT BLENDS INTENSIVE PARENTING SKILLS WITH REFERRALS TO CONTINUING EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS. ADDITIONAL SERVICES INCLUDE ANGER MANAGEMENT AND MALE ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE GROUPS AND CO-PARENTING COUNSELING. STRONG MOTHERS: THE STRONG MOTHERS PROGRAM WORKED WITH OVER 150 PREGNANT AND PARENTING YOUNG WOMEN IN QUEENS, PROVIDING INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND SERVICES TO INCREASE THEIR ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, PURSUE EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND REDUCE THE RISK OF UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES. THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES PROVIDED ARE OFFERED ON A GROUP AND/OR AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL. SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WEEKLY WORKSHOPS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS THAT INCREASE A MOTHER'S ABILITY TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, A COMMUNITY RESOURCE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS CASE PLANNING, THERAPY, AND/OR FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELING FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO NEED MORE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT. HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES WERE PROVIDED TO OVER 300 HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TEACHING THEM ABOUT COMMUNICATION, ANATOMY, AND THE CHANGES OF PUBERTY. APPROXIMATELY 110 YOUTH ARE COUNSELED ONE-ON-ONE ABOUT TOPICS INCLUDING BIRTH CONTROL METHODS, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS, AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.SOLUTIONS-BASED CASEWORK (SBC): AT THE HEART OF ALL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE OR NEGLECT, HIGH QUALITY CASEWORK PRACTICE HELPS VULNERABLE CHILDREN ACHIEVE SAFETY RATHER THAN FACE A LIFETIME OF CHALLENGES. DEVELOPED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, SBC IS AN EVIDENCE-INFORMED MODEL IN WHICH THE CASE PLANNER AND FAMILY IDENTIFY PROBLEMATIC PATTERNS, AND CREATE A MAP FOR THE FAMILY TO CONSISTENTLY PURSUE AGREED-UPON OUTCOMES. SBC CREATES A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FAMILY BASED ON A CONSENSUS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, AND IN LANGUAGE THAT MAKES SENSE TO THE FAMILY. IT THEN FOCUSES THAT PARTNERSHIP ON THE PATTERNS OF EVERYDAY FAMILY LIFE THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO THREATS TO SAFETY AND TARGETS SOLUTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE BEHAVIORS AND CONDITIONS THAT BROUGHT THE FAMILY IN CONTACT WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. THE FAMILY BUILDS SKILLS TO CREATE A SAFE FAMILY LIFE.MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH INITIATIVE: AS THE QUEENS PROVIDER OF THIS CITY-WIDE PROGRAM, WE WORK TO PROMOTE WOMEN'S HEALTH BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY, THROUGH A COMBINATION OF EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, PEER SUPPORT, AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING TO REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY AND RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH. WINDOWS TO HEALING (NYS OCFS/HOYT): A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR FAMILIES INVOLVING THE CAREGIVER AND CHILD/REN (DYADIC MODEL), THAT ADDRESSES TRAUMA AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. TO DATE, MORE THAN 100 INDIVIDUALS HAVE PARTICIPATED. HEALTH & WELLNESS/TEACHING KITCHEN: INCLUDES HEALTH AND WELLNESS COOKING AND NUTRITION CLASSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES BURDENED BY POVERTY, IN ORDER TO PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES.WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: FORESTDALE'S STRONG FUTURES PROGRAM (PREPARING YOUTH FOR ADULTHOOD) SERVES YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 21, PROVIDING ACCESS TO A RANGE OF RESOURCES TO PREPARE FOR INDEPENDENT AND SUCCESSFUL LIVING AS ADULTS. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS HELP IN SPECIFIC AREAS RANGING FROM EDUCATION AND MENTORING TO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT. INDIVIDUALIZED ASSISTANCE TO HELP YOUTH SET AND REACH GOALS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING IS ALSO PROVIDED AS WELL AS REGULAR WORKSHOPS THAT VARY IN TOPICS FROM COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING TO HEALTHY COOKING. ANNUALLY, MORE THAN 100 YOUTH RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL TUTORING.OUR STRONG FUTURES INTERNSHIP (SFI) PROGRAM ENGAGES WITH YOUTH AGES 16-24, INCLUDING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN FOSTER CARE TO HELP THEM PRACTICE GOOD WORK HABITS AND OVERCOME DIFFICULT WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE IN THE PAST. WE HAVE ENGAGED OVER 40 YOUNG ADULTS, MEETING THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MULTI-PRONGED, INTERLOCKING SERVICES WHERE THEY GAINED FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FIELDS: IT, MAINTENANCE/AUTOMOTIVE, CULINARY ARTS, CHILD CARE AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ADVOCACY. OVER 100% OF THOSE WHO COMPLETED SFI SHOWED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE. EDUCATION: FORESTDALE SCHOLARS (FS), A PART OF OUR STRONG FUTURES PROGRAM, PROVIDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR OVER 100 YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE (GRADES 5-12), WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SETTING ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL FOUNDATIONS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS. WE PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH GIVING THEM THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED IN LIFE. SUPPORT INCLUDES IN-HOME AND CENTER-BASED TUTORING SERVICES FOR OVER 100 STUDENTS AS WELL AS VISITS TO COLLEGES AND COLLEGE SUPPORT. LIFE COACHING: SERVING YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 14-26 WITH THE GOAL OF DEVELOPING SHORT AND LONG TERM GOALS FOR THEIR FUTURE IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT; CAREER DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, CONNECTION TO A CARING ADULT AND OTHER WRAP-AROUND SERVICES. OVER 140 YOUTH RECEIVED THIS SERVICE.YOUTH FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROJECT: SERVING YOUTH AGES 14-21, THE GOAL IS TO MASTER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WANTS AND NEEDS, EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING, OPPORTUNITY COSTS, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCOME AND JOBS, BUDGETING AND GOAL SETTING, BANKS AND BANKING, TYPES OF CREDIT AND USING CREDIT CARDS, CREDIT HISTORY AND REPORTS, SAVING AND INVESTING, PROTECTING THEIR ASSETS, AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR TAXES. ATTACHMENT AND BIO-BEHAVIORAL CATCH-UP (ABC): OUR EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH MODELS HELP YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES FORM STRONG FAMILY BONDS AND WORK TO HEAL TRAUMA. THE ABC PROGRAM UTILIZES TRAINED THERAPISTS WHO USE COACHING AND VIDEO FEEDBACK TO ENCOURAGE A STRONGER PARENT-BABY BOND. ABC HAS BEEN LINKED TO INCREASED ATTACHMENT LEADING TO BETTER BEHAVIOR IN SCHOOL, BETTER RELATIONSHIPS LATER IN LIFE, ATTITUDES TOWARD WORK, AND ADULT GLOBAL FUNCTIONING. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, ALMOST 50 DYADS PARTICIPATED IN ABC.