New Alternatives For Children Inc

OPENING DOORS TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS

FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE MEDICALLY COMPLEX, HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, HIV, OR WHO HAVE CO-OCCURRING MEDICAL AND MENTAL NEEDS (FAMILY TREATMENT FOSTER CARE). NEW ALTERNATIVES FOR CHILDREN PROVIDES ACS-CONTRACTED FOSTER CARE AND PREPARING YOUTH FOR ADULTHOOD SERVICES, WHICH TEACHES INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. THE GOAL IS TO ASSURE PERMANENCY, SAFETY, AND WELLBEING. APPROXIMATELY 50% OF NAC CHILDREN ARE RETURNED TO THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES AND 50% ARE ADOPTED BY THEIR FOSTER FAMILY. CHILDREN AT NAC DO NOT AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND LEAVE WITH A PERMANENT RESOURCE. NAC ALSO HAS A SIGNIFICANT KINSHIP PROGRAM.

PREVENTIVE SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDES FAMILY STRENGTH-BASED SERVICES FOR BIRTH FAMILIES TO PREVENT THE PLACEMENT INTO FOSTER CARE OF CHILDREN WHO MAY BE AT RISK OF ABUSE/NEGLECT. NEW ALTERNATIVES PROVIDES INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT AND THERAPUTIC SERVICES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN NYC. SERVICES INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, GROUP SERVICES, AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 98% OF NAC CHILDREN DO NOT ENTER FOSTER CARE. ALL CASES ARE REVIEWED IN REGULAR CLINICAL CASE REVIEWS TO MEASURE PROGRESS AND GAINS. OUR BUILDING BLOCKS PROGRAMS HELP FAMILIES WITH BONDING AND ATTACHMENT ISSUES.

BRIDGES TO HEALTH (B2H) IS A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM OPERATED BY NYS OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (OCFS) TO PROVIDE "ADD-ON" SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, ARE SERIOUSLY EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED, OR MEDICALLY FRAGILE IN AN EFFORT TO ACHIEVE AND/OR MAINTAIN PERMANENCY FOR CHILDREN WITH SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE B2H PROGRAM WAS DISCONTINUED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR AND REPLACED BY CHILDREN'S HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES(HCBS). HCBS SERVICES ARE DEFINED AS SERVICES THAT HELP KEEP CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH COMPLEX HEALTH AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OUT OF HOSPITALS AND RERSIDENTIAL SETTINGS: HELP CHILDREN/YOUTH WHO ARE IN A HOSPITALOR RESIDENTIAL SETTING TRANSFER BACK SAFELY TO THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES: SUPPORT CHILDREN/YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY WORK TOWARD GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT HOME, IN SCHOOL, AND IN THEIR COMMUNITY: OFFER INDIVIDUAL, FLEXIBLE SERVICES THAT ARE STRENGTH AND SKILL-BASED TO MEET THE HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD/YOUTH. ALSO INCLUDED ARE CHILDREN AND FAMILY TREATMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES (CFTSS) WHICH PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO 21. THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN/YOUTH ENROLLED IN MEDICAID AND MANAGED CARE. SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED AT HOME, IN THE COMMUNITY, OR WHEREVER CHILDREN/YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES FEEL COMFORTABLE.

ADDITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH ARTICLE 28 AND ARTICLE 31 CLINICS AND FOSTER CARE AND PREVENTIVE AFTER CARE SERVICES TO MEDICALLY COMPLEX CHILDREN. PROGRAMS SUCH AS HEALTHY AT HOME, THE PETER HAJE CENTER FOR AUTISM, CHILDREN'S HEALTH HOMES AND PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO NAC FAMILIES.