The services that are listed here are "preventive" in nature. Changes in our society have added new strains to the many tasks of parenting - a job that probably never was a simple one. The increase in the divorce rate, the large number of single parents, the necessity of both parents working to support the household are among the more significant changes. Child care, for infants through school age, has become a pressing service need.
THE ROCKLAND COUNCIL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (RCYC) 425-0009
185 N. Main St., Spring Valley, NY 10977
Director: Phyllis Helbraun
Organization operates child care resource and referral service addressing
quality, inclusive child care programs serving families with infants through
school age children in center and home based child care programs. Training,
education and technical assistance offered to families, community agencies
and child care programs. RCYC services offered in English, French-Creole
and Spanish.
The Department of Social Services may provide financial assistance when merited for child care for children 6 weeks through 14 years of age.
The objective of DSS financial aid is to help public assistance clients to become economically more independent by allowing employment and/or vocational training; to assist low-income families in securing adequate child care; and to provide developmental protection to individual children when necessary. Day Care homes studied and certified.
DAY CARE UNIT, DSS 364-3411
Current legislation allows childcare tax credits to families who are not eligible for direct government subsidized programs. IRS can provide information 997-1510
Head Start programs are federally-funded and designed to counteract the early negative effects of economic and cultural disadvantage. They provide comprehensive educational, social, nutritional, health and other services to economically disadvantaged and/or handicapped children and families. Parent involvement in the child's development is emphasized. Ages 2-5, free program full or part day. Full year.
SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE AND HOLIDAY/VACATION CARE
Supervised after-school programs in schools vary from district to district and from year to year. Call your local school district and ask what after-school age child are programs are currently offered. Some private and parochial schools also offer programs. If nothing is offered, lobbying for programs might be needed.
Sometimes town and village recreation departments have after-school programs, either on their own or in cooperation with school districts. To find out what' available, it is best to call your local recreation department for current offerings. Again, advocacy for programs might be needed!
ROCKLAND COUNTY CHILD CARE COALITION 425-0009 x616
185 N. Main St., Spring Valley 10977
Contact: Allegra Jennings
Coalition to address employers' needs as they pertain to child care concerns in the county. Technical assistance and referral is provided to business once a child care choice has been made.
During school recess some municipal parks and recreation departments have programs. Summer often presents a special problem for working parents. Day Camps may be an answer.
You will find that costs range from free municipal camps to quite expensive private camp programs.
The Journal News publishes a list of summer camps and programs in the spring. The telephone book has a listing in the Yellow Pages under "Camps - Day." American Camping Association has a "Parents' Guide and Accredited Camps."
Check your library. Towns and villages run day camps: call your local municipality for cost, when sessions begin, etc.
Most municipal camps are for young children, but ask if there are programs for teens, too.
It is required that the Health Dept. inspect camp facilities; they have a list of camps that have been inspected. Contact 364-2598
Camperships are offered by some camps to disadvantaged children, and some are underwritten by civic organizations.
Call the camps or organizations for information.
LIBRARIES have both after-school and summer activities. Check for schedules. See list of libraries. Recreation
TOWN AND VILLAGE RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS vary in extensiveness. If you live in Clarkstown or Ramapo, you have a much broader range of options than the other localities. None are rigidly fixed schedules, however. Perhaps you can work with them to broaden their schedules or to try some new ideas. Recreation
VOLUNTEER COUNSELING SERVICE (VCS) 634-5729
151 S. Main, New City 10956
Contact: Marge Lipson
VCS conducts a number of parenting/family counseling programs.
C.O.P.E. (Center for Ongoing Parent Education)
Contact: Nancy Hulsizer
Mutual support group for parents of acting-out adolescents or adolescents who are in placement outside of the home.
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN
Contact: Nancy Hulsizer
Support group for grandparents raising grandchildren.
T.O.P.P. (The Ongoing Parent Project)
Contact: Gail Golden
Professionally facilitated mutual support group for parents of infants and children up to 10 years of age. Cost: Sliding scale.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TRAINING AND RESEARCH CENTER (SETRC) 627-4791
BOCES
65 Parrot Road, West Nyack 10994
Contact: Barbara Fuchs
Call for further information on parenting groups available.
TOUGH LOVE 623-7088
471 Saddle River Rd., Monsey 10952
Contact: Joseph and Janet Rivera
Support group for parents experiencing turmoil and conflict caused by their teenager's or young adult's behavioral problems and/or substance abuse. Meetings held Mondays at 7:45 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in New City. Call for further information or visit our web site at www.tco.com/toughlove
PARENTING PROGRAM 352-5808
Inter-Community Relations Council
95 N. Main St., Spring Valley 10977
Contact: Mary Woods
Once-a-week parenting program for parents. Cost: No fees
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 639-7400 x22
Provides skilled professionals as speakers and/or workshop leaders, assists in the formation of new parent groups and trains leaders of self-help groups.
MOTHER'S CENTER 354-2203
First Unitarian Society
Conklin Rd., Pomona 10970
Contact: Sue Lipton 735-8709
"Mothers Helping Mothers" discussion groups, workshops and activities in a nonjudgmental, confidential supportive environment for mothers of infants and children. Groups are facilitated by mothers. Child care available. Cost: Nominal fee.
EPIC, INC. 352-9105
461 Viola Road, Spring Valley 10977
Contact: Phyllis Eig
Trained volunteers lead workshops to improve parenting skill. Six week series for parents of children ages birth through adolescence. Cost: No fees.
ROCKLAND PARENT CHILD CENTER 359-2702
137 First Ave., Nyack 10960
Contact: Carol Gaglione Heinrich; Barbara Keil 359-1377
Resource for parents of young children (infants and toddlers) including parent child drop in center, provides network of peer and professional support. Workshops offered on child oriented topics. Trained facilitator.
SINGLE PARENTS GROUP
Support group, meeting Wednesday evenings 5:30 -7:30 p.m. No fee.
STEPFAMILY FOUNDATION, INC., Rockland Chapter
50 Tranquility Rd., Suffern 10901
Contact: Phyllis Rosenblum
Educate and offer counseling to people in situations from single parent dating to remarriage when children are involved. Hotline crisis counseling. Cost: Call for complimentary packet of services. Some services sliding scale; insurance approved.