Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie Opens Family Opportunity Center in Wingdale, NY
Poughkeepsie, NY – The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie is pleased to announce the opening of a Family Opportunity Center in Wingdale, NY. The Children’s Home is one of 8 agencies in New York to receive this funding from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This three-year grant is aimed at improving the safety and well-being of children and families by addressing issues of poverty, education barriers, substance use disorders and lack of adequate physical and mental health care.
“Family opportunity centers offer a child-and family-centered program designed to meet concrete needs, improve school attendance and provide a broad range of family strengthening services in easily accessible and welcoming locations in the community,” said Gail Geohagen-Pratt, Deputy Commissioner for Child Welfare and Community Services at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. “The program is one of many ‘upstream’ prevention services intended to help strengthen families and reduce the need for more costly intervention services down the road resulting from reports of abuse and maltreatment.”
“The Children’s Home continues its efforts to bring creative services to children and families in our community in partnership with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and Dutchess County’s Department of Children and Family Services. The Family Opportunity Center provides a unique opportunity to support families and offer assistance through the flexible funding structure of the grant,” said Walter Joseph, Executive Director and CEO at the Children’s Home.
The Children’s Home – Family Opportunity Center, located at 6423 Route 55, Wingdale NY, provides a safe place for youth of all ages and their families to gather. The Center includes space for literacy enrichment, homework support, sports and games, arts and crafts, cooking, sensory space, toddler activities, and more. Services for individual and family therapy, support groups and skill building are also available. Additionally, families will have access to the array of services offered through our Community Based programs, including Care Management, Children and Family Treatment and Support Services, Home and Community Based Services and a Parent Partner.
“We are excited to open the Family Opportunity Center in Wingdale”, said Courtney Doyle, Assistant Executive Director, Community Based Services at the Children’s Home. “This new program allows the Children’s Home to bring much needed services to the Eastern part of Dutchess County, to help ensure every child and family have access to the tools, skills and support they need to thrive.”
The Family Opportunity Center is free and open to the public and can be visited on Tuesday-Thursday from 11:00am-7:00pm, Friday from 11:30am-8:00pm, and Saturday from 10am-7pm. The center is closed on Sundays. Mondays are by appointment only. Families may also call 845-473-8289 to arrange a time that suits their schedule. Or email: cbs@childrenshome.us.
About the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie
On January 21, 1847, a group of Poughkeepsie women called the Female Guardian Society met to form the Poughkeepsie Orphan House and Home of the Friendless to care for the poor, abandoned and neglected in their communities, most especially the children. Their belief was that all children deserve a nurturing and caring environment. More than 176 years later, their work continues.
Today, the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie provides a full range of Community Based Services and Residential Services giving hope and healing to at-risk children throughout New York State. The Home is licensed by the New York State Office of Children & Family Services, the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Department of Health. The Children’s Home is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for its exemplary adherence to human welfare agency guidelines. In fiscal year 2022, the Home served approximately 1,020 children and their families.
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a place of healing and hope since 1847
