Family Services and the Family Partnership (Aired on August 29, 2021)

Brian Doyle, CEO for Family Services, describes for RadioRotary listeners the enormous scope of his organization, which operates in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties. He emphasizes the Behavioral Health Centers in several locations, which promote mental health, and the Center for Victim Safety and Support, which provides 24-hour non-residential, comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, scams, and other crimes. The Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie, a centerpiece of Family Services, collaborates with some 20 organizations for humanitarian services based largely in a 100-year-old building in downtown Poughkeepsie. All Family Partnership services (except the Behavioral Health Centers) are free. The Partnership Center is very excited that they are adding a branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library in the building. Because of the building’s age, the Family Partnership is about to undergo considerable repairs and remodeling, including a new roof and new front entrance.

Learn More:
Family Services: http://www.familyservicesny.org/
Family Services Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyServicesHV
Poughkeepsie Public Library District: https://poklib.org/
The Lunch Box: https://dutchessoutreach.org/the-lunch-box/

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September 1, 2021 · Posted in Domestic Violence, Education, Events, Humanitarian Service, Mental Health, Support Groups, Youth  

Mental Health Workers Aid Police (Aired July 25, 2021)

Behavior specialist Linwood Burke and mental health intensive care manager Lashaveous Dicker, now both aiding police in dealing with situations where strong emotions or mental-health issue are involved, are the workers assigned by Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA) to help handle these dicey calls. Mr. Dicker is on every call that Beacon Police make, while Mr. Burke
travels with the police detail when mental-health issues are involved, and he also holds community workshops with the police. The MHA staff are in civilian clothes with a vest identifying them as mental-health auxiliaries so that people nervous about the police can relax. The program has been deemed a success, with the MHA staff able to get a troubled perpetrator to drop his knife and to persuade reluctant mentally ill to go to the hospital. Burke and Dicker are trained in techniques to help de-escalate conflicts.

Learn more:
Mental Health America of Dutchess County: https://mhadutchess.org/
Poughkeepsie Police Add Mental Health Worker: https://midhudsonnews.com/2020/08/27/poughkeepsie-police-add-mental-health-worker/
Beacon Police Add Mental Health Worker: https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2021/04/05/beacon-adds-mental-health-specialist-police-department/7084167002/
City of Poughkeepsie Police Department: https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/police-department/
Beacon, NY, Police Department: https://www.beaconny.gov/index.php/departments/police/

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July 26, 2021 · Posted in Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Mental Health, Service Organizations  

Helping Victims of Domestic Abuse (Aired February 1 and 2, 2020)

RadioRotary interviews Branka Bryan, Executive Director of Grace Smith House, a shelter for
persons confronted with domestic violence in Dutchess Country, about 10% of whom are men.  Domestic violence includes psychological as well as physical abuse of a person in an intimate partner relationship. The abused and the abuser can each be any age, ranging from children in middle school to persons over 90 years old. Grace Smith House started nearly 39 years ago when a small group from Poughkeepsie’s First Presbyterian Church (including a church elder named Grace Smith) recognized that there was a need for housing to protect victims of domestic violence.  Today Grace Smith House also provides transitional housing, counseling, and education in the schools and the community. Victims can easily reach help by calling the hot line, (845) 471-3033, where trained volunteers will direct the caller to help. Services of Grace Smith House are free and highly confidential. Women with young children can be accommodated in the shelter as well as adults and teenagers.

Learn more
Grace Smith House: https://www.gracesmithhouse.org/
Domestic Violence Services, Dutchess County: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Community-Family-Services/Domestic-Violence.htm
Gaslighting: https://www.healthline.com/health/gaslighting

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February 20, 2020 · Posted in Domestic Violence, Support Groups, Women  

Elder Care and Abuse (Aired on May 25 and 26, 2019)

Dana Pavelock, Vice President for Provider Relations at Evercare in Newburgh, NY, and Brian Jones of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging visit RadioRotary to discuss issues related to  abuse of senior citizen, known as “elder abuse.” Evercare is a not-for-profit provider of health services for the aging. The Dutchess Office for the Aging provides many services to older citizen, ranging from recreation to long-term care services. Both organization are concerned with the physical, psychological, and financial abuse of the elderly along with just plain neglect. Some 2.5 million older Americans suffer abuse, two-thirds of the time in their own homes. It is suggested that you report any signs of bruises on your older neighbors or if you hear yelling or screaming. In addition to physical or psychological harm, older persons are frequently the target of financial scams.

Learn more:
Evercare: https://www.evercare.org/
Dutchess Country Office for the Aging: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Aging/Office-for-the-Aging.htm
Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS): http://www.chcanys.org/
Adult Protective Services (Dutchess County): https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Community-Family-Services/Adult-Protective-Services.htm
Coalition on Elder Abuse in Dutchess County: https://dutchessmediation.org/index.php/coalition-on-elder-abuse-in-dutchess-county

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June 2, 2019 · Posted in Aging, Domestic Violence, Hudson Valley, Law, Quality of Life  

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