Our Programs & Services
When children and their families come through our doors, we look at them holistically—at their physical, cognitive, social, and, most importantly, emotional health. We evaluate and intervene to help resolve each piece of these interrelated challenges so that the whole child and entire family can reach their full potential. We know that each one has so much to give.
Residential Services
The Child Center of NY is committed to serving young people in the best way possible for each individual child and family. Our Residential Services division provides a warm and welcoming home and the highest level of care for youth facing the toughest mental health and behavioral health challenges. We use the same principle that characterizes all our programs: that every child, given the right skills, education, counseling, and support, can go on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Programs offer holistic care that supports each resident’s cognitive, social-emotional, and physical well-being, so they can reach their full potential in each of these inter-related areas. We also work with teens’ families, involving them in their child’s care and helping to strengthen the bonds between them. Our goal is to ensure that young people in residential treatment can realize sustained positive outcomes post-treatment, including improved family relationships and success living in the community.
Prevention & Family Support
The Child Center of NY helps parents and other caregivers develop the tools to raise their children in a safe and nurturing environment. We provide support for many different kinds of families—from those currently involved with the child protection system to those who simply feel overwhelmed by the stresses of their daily lives.
Whatever their situation, we empower caregivers to handle challenges in a positive and constructive way. All of our programs include parent education, family counseling, home visits by master’s-level social workers and other trained case planners, and an emphasis on keeping families together. We prevent children from entering foster care by helping caregivers create and maintain a safe and supportive home.
Health Homes & Integrated Care
When we say we care for children holistically, we mean it. Our Health Homes and Integrated Care program staff collaborate with everyone in a child’s world—for example, her parents, teachers, and health care providers—to ensure they are working together for the child’s overall well-being. The Health Homes Program is for youth who have been diagnosed with two or more chronic conditions—such as depression and asthma—or with SED (serious emotional disturbance).
Our home visiting programs, including Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), also work with young people who are at risk for psychiatric hospitalization or other high-intensity services, giving them a real chance to get the help they need while remaining with their families. Our extensive research and firsthand experience has shown us that with the right support, these children can—and do—go on to lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Behavioral Health
The Child Center of NY offers therapy by licensed mental health and substance abuse professionals to children, adolescents, and adults. We help people through a wide range of social and emotional difficulties so they can become secure, capable, and confident individuals able to overcome the challenges they face and reach their full potential.
We also offer high-quality pediatric and family (adult) primary health services. You can visit with a Board-certified physician through tele-health or in person—whatever best suits your needs.
Early Childhood Education
The first few years of life are critical for a child’s future achievement. Our early childhood education programs serve low-income children prenatal to age 5 with programs that ensure they are developmentally on track—academically, socially, and emotionally—and empower parents to support their children’s development on their own. This holistic approach is the key to helping children start school academically ready to learn at the level of their peers, and begin life socially and emotionally ready to grow and thrive.
Youth Development
Our youth development programs enrich young people with the tools to grow into capable and confident adults. We offer afterschool and summer extended learning programs, community schools, college and work readiness programs, internships, and specialized groups that focus on issues ranging from sexual health to community service. We provide these services right in the schools and communities we serve and take a holistic approach: Our research-based methods help youth ages 5-24 develop cognitive, academic, social-emotional, and physical skills. We introduce them to opportunities they never knew existed, giving them hope for the future and an insight into its possibilities.
Cash+Community Works
Cash+Community Works is a neighborhood-based initiative empowering under-resourced communities in NYC. Our goal is to help families make positive changes in their lives and community. This is accomplished through peer-driven support, individualized goal planning, and direct cash assistance. We believe families know what’s best for themselves, and our mission is to invest in their strengths, ingenuity, and collaborations.