Correctional Library Services > Connections 2007 > Counseling and Family Services

Counseling and Family Services

For information and/or referral to a wide range of social service agencies and counseling centers, call the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Inc. at 212.777.4800 ext. 366 Mon.-Fri. 9-5. The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services can also provide many referrals: 800.523.2769, Mon.-Fri. 9-5, or check online at www.jbfcs.org.

A large number of services are available at the Children's Aid Society for youngsters from infancy through young adulthood. Adoption and foster care, education, health care, and counseling, to specialized eye and dental clinics, homemaker services, Head Start classes, afterschool/weekend/summer programs, drug abuse and teen pregnancy prevention, parenting programs, and emergency assistance. Call 212.949.4800 Mon.-Fri. 9-5 or write The Children's Aid Society, 105 East 22nd Street, Manhattan 10010 for more information.

PRISON REENTRY AND FAMILY SERVICE/FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

The Osborne Association
175 Remsen Street, 8th Floor, Brooklyn 11201
Telephone: 718.637.6560; hotline 800.344.3314
www.osborneny.org
Staffed by formerly incarcerated people and prisoners' family members, the Family Resource Center provides information on visiting, transportation, packages, transfers, parole and more for families of New York prisoners. Family members can call the toll-free hotline Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Wednesdays 9-7:30. Provided at the Center are informational workshops, peer advocacy and referrals for families of prisoners and former prisoners, and homework help/tutoring for children. Teen programs are also available. The Healthy Marriage Program helps couples build relationship and communication skills in the difficult period leading up to and following post-release re-unification. The Prison Family Support Group meets every Wednesday at 5:30pm. Families with mothers in Albion Correctional Facility can inquire about the visit transportation program. Wheelchair accessible. Spanish also spoken.

Crisis Intervention and Short-Term Counseling

Help Line Telephone Service
Call 212.532.2400 for telephone counseling. Trained volunteers will talk with persons about any problems troubling them. Regular line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provided by the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services.

SAFE HORIZON HOTLINE

Telephone: 800.621.4673 (domestic violence),
212.227.3000 (rape, sexual assault and incest),
or 800.689.4357 (other crime victims)
www.safehorizon.org
Offers counseling for victims of violence and crime, including partner abuse, stalking, and elder abuse. Information and referral to a wide variety of resources. Call anytime day or night. Spanish also spoken; additional languages available through a translation service.

MANHATTAN VETERANS CENTER

32 Broadway, Suite 200, Manhattan 10004
Telephone: 212.742.9591
Provides counseling for combat-related trauma, counseling for men and women who have been sexually traumatized in the military, and bereavement counseling. Formerly incarcerated people welcome. Eligibility determined upon intake by your DD214. Call or walk in Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30. Spanish also spoken; additional languages available through a translation service. Accessible to people with disabilities.

NEW YORK FOUNDLING HOSPITAL PARENT HELPLINE

Telephone: 212.472.8555 or 888.435.7553
www.nyfoundling.org
The New York Foundling Hospital offers drop-in crisis counseling for distressed parents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 590 Avenue of the Americas (between 16th and 17th Streets). Has a crisis nursery at which children under 11 years of age can stay for up to three days in order to provide a "cooling-off" period for parents. (Child's documents required and restrictions apply: must call first.) Also offers telephone counseling and referrals. There is no charge for services. Spanish also spoken.

NYC YOUTHLINE

Telephone: 800.246.4646, TDD: 800.246.4699
www.nyc.gov/html/dycd
From the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Has access to many different resources for young people: Runaways, Criminal Justice, Crisis Intervention, Drug and Alcohol Problems, etc. Can provide assistance to adults dealing with or acting for young people in trouble. Call Mon.-Fri. 9-9; Sat. and Sun. 12-8; closed on holidays. 52 different languages spoken.

THE DOOR – A CENTER OF ALTERNATIVES

555 Broome Street, Manhattan 10013
Mailing Address: 121 Avenue of the Americas,
Manhattan 10013
Telephone: 212.941.9090
www.door.org
Provides crisis-intervention services to adolescents in need of welfare, Medicaid, and emergency housing. Family-planning services as well as legal, educational, and vocational counseling also provided. Must be between the ages of 12 and 22. Call Mon., Wed, Thu. 9-8, and Fri. 9-6, or walk in Mon.-Thurs. 2-5. ID not required. Spanish also spoken. Accessible to people with

Domestic Violence

SAFE HORIZON HOTLINE

HELPLINE: 212.227.3000
www.safehorizon.org
Domestic violence, rape and incest survivors or their family members can call the HelpLine above, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for referral to counseling and other services. Spanish also spoken; other languages available through a translation service.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM FOR MEN

346 Broadway, Room 400A, Manhattan 10013
Telephone: 212.577.8233
Offers a 26-week educational program for men who batter and abuse an intimate partner. The program operates on the understanding that violence is a learned behavior which can be unlearned. Groups are led by two facilitators, one male and one female. Fee: $50 per session, $30 for intake interview. Sliding scale offered. Groups meet evenings in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Call for information. Spanish also spoken. Accessible to people with disabilities.

HUNT'S POINT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM

Hunts Point Multiservice Center
630 Jackson Avenue, Bronx 10455
Telephone: 718.993.3006
www.hpmsc.org
Offers a domestic violence program for men over the age of 18, consisting of 33 weekly sessions. Also an anger management program for both men and women. Sliding fee scale. Medicaid and Medicare accepted. Call Mon.-Thu. 8-8; Fri. 8-6; Sat. 8-4. Contact person: Mr. Marrero, ext. 383. Spanish also spoken. Accessible to people with disabilities.

BROOKLYN AIDS TASK FORCE
ALTERNATE TO VIOLENCE PROGRAM

502 Bergen Street, Brooklyn 11217
Telephone: 718.622.2910
www.batf.net
The aim of this program is to assist people with a history of violence and uncontrolled anger who are looking for a chance to start over again, but don't know where to begin. In individual and group sessions, the program explores addiction issues, self-esteem, empowerment, communication skills and stress reduction. Call for program details and registration information, Mon.-Fri 9-5.

Exodus Transitional Community (listed in the Organizations for Formerly Incarcerated People chapter) also offers an Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program. Call 917.492.0990.

Anger Management Trainings take place semi-regularly at the FEGS Manhattan Counseling Center in the West Village. Participants learn how to identify events and cues that trigger anger, outbursts, and self-defeating behavior. Medicaid accepted; sliding-scale fees for people without insurance. Call 212.366.8040 or 212.366.8289 Mon.-Fri. 9-5 for further information.

The New York State Domestic Violence Hotline makes referrals to local services. Call 800.942.6906 (English) or 800.942.6908 (Spanish) 24 hours.

To report child abuse to the New York State Child Abuse Hotline call 800.342.3720, TTY 800.638.5163 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Elder Crime Victims Resource Center assists senior citizens who are victims of crimes and elder abuse. Call 212.442.3103 Mon.-Fri. 9-5 or leave a message other times. Spanish, Chinese, and Russian also spoken.

Women who have been the victim of sexual assault or other violence can find additional resources in the chapter "Women".

Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Male and Female

SAFER SOCIETY PRESS

P.O. Box 340, Brandon, VT 05733
Telephone: 802.247.3132
www.safersociety.org
This agency has made some practical advice on prison rape available on tape and in an accompanying manual. The tapes, which are available in English and in Spanish, are titled "An Ounce of Prevention" and "Becoming a Survivor." The project manual is designed for use by correctional administrators, chaplains, caseworkers, counselors, medical personnel, uniformed officers, and others. The manual includes information on institutional legal responsibilities, AIDS, a description of male Rape Trauma Syndrome, as well as a bibliography, a resource list, key court decisions, and excerpts from institutional policy statements on the use of condoms. The tapes present speakers from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds giving sound advice and are addressed chiefly to prisoners. The overall message is supportive, confirming that commonly held myths about rape, manhood and homosexuality have no basis in fact, and that survivors can go on to heal their wounds and lead perfectly normal lives. The full kit costs $15 plus shipping and handling and can be ordered from the above address. Tapes can be sent c/o chaplains or psychologists, if prisoners are not allowed to receive tapes directly.

STOP PRISONER RAPE

3325 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 340
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Telephone: 212.384.1400
www.spr.org
A non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the issue of prison rape, and helping survivors of prison rape, both female and male. The organization offers "survivor packets" to people who need them, including resource lists and literature on a variety of issues, including the rights of rape victims, legal aspects of prison sexual abuse, and practical advice for those incarcerated.

NYC GAY AND LESBIAN ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT

240 West 35th Street, #200, Manhattan 10001
Telephone: 212.714.1141
www.avp.org
An answering service for all five boroughs of the city. Call anytime day or night. Leave name and phone number, and a member of the Anti-Violence Project will return your call as soon as possible. Members will accompany you while reporting an incident to the police and will monitor your case through the courts. Call to document incidents, apply for State Crime Victims Compensation, find out about counseling, or get legal referrals and court procedure information. Services are free and confidential. You do not need to be gay to use services. Spanish also spoken.

ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL RAPE CRISIS PROGRAM

41–51 East 11th Street, Manhattan 10003
Telephone: 212.604.8068
Medical, legal, and psychological help for rape victims of either gender. Counselors available who are sensitive to the special needs of gay male and heterosexual male rape victims and of people who have been victims of sexual abuse in prison. Also support groups for survivors of sexual assault and abuse, including child abuse. Call 24 hours.

Sex Offenders

MUSTARD SEED COUNSELING SERVICES

111 Court Street, Ste. 2L
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone: 718.875.7411
Individual and group counseling with an emphasis on sexually abusive behavior. Serves people ages 12 and up. Adolescents age 12-17 cannot receive counseling without parental consent. Initial intake is $50 and fees for services are based on a sliding scale. Hours are Mon.-Fri. 9-9 by appointment.

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CLINIC

1051 Riverside Drive, Manhattan 10032
Telephone: 212.740.7330
Includes evaluation and treatment, therapy sessions, individual/ group therapy, information and referral. Serves people ages 13 and up. Parental consent is required in order for adolescents to receive counseling services. Client confidentiality respected. No fees charged. Must be a New York State resident and willing to participate in the treatment. People on parole and probation also eligible. Call Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5. Spanish also spoken. Accessible to people with disabilities.

Children with Incarcerated Parents

There are more than 2 million children in the United States with an incarcerated parent. Another 8 million children are estimated to have experienced parental incarceration at some time. An excellent resource addressing children of incarcerated parents is the Family and Corrections Network at www.fcnetwork.org. Click "Links" and then "Prison Family Programs" to access a large listing of organizations nationwide that provide services to families and children of prisoners. There is also a "Children of Prisoners Library" with free brochures on topics such as "Conversations - Questions Children Ask," "Visiting Mom or Dad," "Communicating Tips for Families," "Tips from Caregivers for Caregivers," and "What Do Children of Prisoners Need?" There are also materials for health care providers, and an "Incarcerated Fathers Library" (for more on this, see below under "Parenting").

See the Osborne Association's Family Resource Center listing at the beginning of this chapter for services to children with incarcerated parents. Mentoring, homework help, teen groups, and more.

IN ARMS REACH, INC.

Parents Behind Bars: Children in Crisis
The City College of New York, Harris Hall Building
138 Street & Convent Avenue, Manhattan 10031
Telephone: 212.650.5894
www.inarmsreach.org
A non-profit organization providing services for children of incarcerated parents. Programs include letter writing, free prison visitations, peer counseling, and field trips. One-to-one mentoring program in cooperation with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. A social worker and social work interns monitor the social, emotional and academic needs of the children. The goal is preparation for admission to college. Serves ages 6 through 22. Call Mon.-Fri. 9-5. Spanish also spoken.

AMACHI NEW YORK
NEW YORK MISSION SOCIETY

105 East 22nd Street, 6th Floor, Manhattan 10010
Telephone: 212.674.3500
Amachi is a one-to-one mentoring program for children who have incarcerated parents. Amachi is a partnership with local congregations, community-based organizations, and the New York Mission Society. Volunteer mentors from faith-based organizations meet for a minimum of four hours per month with children who have been carefully matched to them. Ages served are 2-18.

Parenting

ST. LUKE'S-ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL

Parent Family Education
1000 Tenth Avenue, Manhattan 10019
Telephone: 212.523.6222
www.nywomenshealth.com/obstetrics/parent_family_edu.html
Offers a 27 different courses on such topics as "Choices in Childbirth", Lamaze birth, parenting toddlers, "Baby Care Basics," breastfeeding, "Infant and Child CPR," "Dad Day" for brand new fathers, a "Father-Son Workshop: Telling It Like It Is," "Mommy and Me Yoga", and a new parents' breastfeeding support group. Sessions are at reasonable cost. Early registration required. Call for more information. Accessible to people with disabilities.

SINGLE PARENT RESOURCE CENTER

228 East 45th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan 10017
Telephone: 212.951.7030
www.singleparentusa.com
Refers single parents to helpful programs in New York City and nationwide, and assists new single-parent organizations in forming. The Center offers skills-building workshops, a relapse-prevention program for single parents in recovery from substance abuse, and a support and discussion group for single fathers. Inquire about Access For Children, a family reunification program for children and parents in the first year after incarceration. Call ahead, Mon.-Fri. 9-5.

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING
GRANDPARENT RESOURCE CENTER

2 Lafayette Street, 6th Floor, Manhattan 10007
Telephone: 212.442.1094
Provides information and assistance to people who are raising grandchildren and other young relatives and need services to help them. Call to find out about financial and health benefits you and your family are entitled to, information on adoption and child custody options, and negotiating the city's aging and child welfare systems. Support groups in all five boroughs. Call Mon.-Fri. 9-5. Spanish also spoken.

The Incarcerated Fathers Library website: www.fcnetwork.org/library/library.html offers a series of pamphlets, with titles such as "Prison Child Support: Broke But Not Deadbeat," "Telling The Children" and "Tips from a Father in Prison." They can be downloaded from the website, or ten pamphlets can be ordered for $6 (including shipping) from The Incarcerated Fathers Library at FCN, 32 Oak Grove Road, Palmya, VA 22963.

Day Care and Head Start

For information and an application for Family Day Care services for children ages 2 months to 12 years, or Group Day Care services for children from 3 to 12 years of age, call 311. Must be income and family-size eligible. Sliding fee scale. Spanish also spoken.

The Head Start Program provides preschool development services to age- and income-eligible children and their families. Includes education, health, nutrition, and social services. Call 212.232.0966 for more information.

Child Custody

A parent who has had to place a child in foster care while incarcerated can get information about obtaining visiting rights for that child by calling Prisoners Legal Services of New York, 114 Prospect Street, Suite 307, Ithaca, NY 14850. Call 607.273.2283 Mon.-Fri. 9-5.

Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated mothers can find further resources in the chapter Women.

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