For information about train and bus routes, schedules and fares: Call 634-1100 during 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Printed schedules for bus routes are available from Rockland Department of Transportation at the same number.
Printed schedules for bus routes are available from the Rockland Department of Transportation, 634-1100. To get information at odd hours is not easy, so it is best, when traveling by public transportation, to get information and map out a schedule in advance. For flight particulars, call airlines, many of which have 800 numbers.
TRANSPORTATION TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Amtrak Info. & Reservation 1-800-872-7245
1-800-USA-RAIL
Metro North Commuter 1-800-638-7646
Kennedy Airport (718) 656-4520
LaGuardia Airport (718) 533-3400
Nights, Sundays & Holidays (718) 476-5115
MTA-Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (212) 878-7000
Newark Airport (201) 961-2000
Stewart Airport 564-2100
Port Authority Bus Terminal Info. (212) 564-8484
New Jersey Transit Bus & Train (201) 460-8484
ROCKLAND COUNTY
Transit of Rockland (T.O.R.) 634-1100
Red and Tan Tours 356-0877
Clarkstown Mini Transit 623-0877
Spring Valley Jitney 352-1100, ext. 22
TRIPS (Disabled) 354-8181
Greyhound 1-800-237-8211
Shortline 1-800-631-8405
Adirondack Trailways 1-800-225-6815
DIRECTIONS
The central location for many Rockland County Health and Social Services is The Robert L. Yeager Health Center on Sanatorium Road (off Route 45) in Pomona.
Many persons have heard of the "Pomona Health Center," "The Complex," "Pomona," but have never actually been there. If you are one of those persons, it might be interesting to at least drive by sometime.
HOURS/DAYS
In this handbook, days and hours are generally indicated only when program is available on a very limited basis or when the need is time-related. If hours are not given, please call and ask.
Some programs maintain evening and Saturday hours regularly, but most service agencies are open 9-5, Monday through Friday, and are staffed by persons who work at nine-to-five schedule like the rest of us.
In the majority of cases this is not a problem. Most people can get time off their jobs to take care of important personal matters. If that is not a possibility, however, individuals can ask for special consideration. There is usually some flexibility in a caring service provider's calendar.
Emergency calls can be made whenever crises arise. The best all-around emergency number to use for crises (threatened suicide, emotional crisis, etc.) is 364-2000 at the Pomona Health Center. Ask for "CRISIS SERVICES". Twenty-four hour staff there are trained and will listen to the problem and counsel, if needed. Otherwise, they will pass the call on where it can be answered more appropriately.
If the emergency need is for a fire department, ambulance or police, a person can dial 911. Be sure to give name, address, telephone number and the help needed.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The Information and Referral Unit at the Pomona Health Complex is a central depository of information related to services of all kinds. The staff there have the job responsibility to connect the person needing assistance with that assistance if it exists.
The local newspapers are a good source of information; they carry announcements of activities and new programs on a regular basis. The Journal News periodically includes a special section related to youth services (e.g. summer camps), but the completeness of the listings depends on how many agencies provide information.
Arts Happenings, published by the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR-426-3660), is a monthly newspaper with a comprehensive calendar of cultural activities.
The Mental Health Association's Self-Help Clearinghouse has information on most self-help group (639-7400, x22).
Many agenices and departments have brochures that explain their purposes and the specific programs they provide. Such brochures are often displayed at promotional events at the Nanuet Mall, the Rockland County Fair, etc. Pick up the brochures. They might inform you of services you didn't know were available. A few agencies/departments publish "newsletters" which are a source of information, especially about new programs. Get on the mailing lists.
When calling an agency, especially large ones, don't spend much time explaining a problem to the switchboard. They usually do not have the specific information you need nor the time to dig it up. It usually saves time to ask the switchboard for the connection best able to answer a question about a specific, or ask if there is an information desk that can answer inquiries from the public.
There will be many times that it seems you are getting a run- around. Most of the tiems this reflects inadequate intra-agencycommunication, but sometimes it may actually be a misunderstanding or lack of caring on the end of the line.
Whatever the cause, don't give up in frustration. Persist until you get the information you need. Report your frustration in seeking the information to the relevant department or agency so that they can rectify the problem and be more helpful to the next caller.
DIRECTORIES AND BROCHURES
Directory of Health & Human Services, Rockland County Prepared by the R.C. Dept. of Social Services Contact: Information and Referral Services. Carol J. Rowen 364-3336.
A Guide to Department of Mental Health Services Contact: Mary Ann Walsh, Commissioner 364-2378.
Handbook for Clients-Guide to Department of Social Services, Brief description of the department and its services. Source: Dept. of Social Services.
Rockland County Directory of Services A guide to services in Rockland County. Contact: County Executive's Office 638-5122
Ongoing Mutual Support Groups, Prepared quarterly by the Self-Help Clearinghouse of the Mental Health Association.
Making Contact, Self-Help Clearinghouse's Newsletter, Contact: Roz Fields 639-7400, x22.
Rockland County Youth Yellow Pages (1994 edition) Prepared by the Rockland County Youth Bureau. Pocket-sized information booklet directed to youth needs and for use by youth themselves. Contact: Youth Bureau 638-5166.
Youth Can Help! A Directory of Volunteer Opportunities for Teens in Rockland County Published by Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4H Youth Development Program. Contact: Cornell Cooperative Extension 429-7085.
Life Skills Directory Published by the Life Skills Subcommittee of Rockland Community Partnership Contact: Cornell Cooperative Extension 429-7085.
State Agencies Directory for Rockland, Orange and Sullivan Counties Prepared by the Speaker's Regional Office. Contact: Phyllis Benjamin 357-4521.
Need Somebody? HELP Small brochure with main County services, listing help for problems related to education. Contact: Office of Dean of Students, RCC 574-4206.
Rockland County Community Information File Published by the Library Association of Rockland County. Alphabetical listing of 765 social, educational, civic and recreational groups currently active in the Rockland County area. Contact: Marion Gimpel, Valley Cottage Library 268-7760.