Correctional
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> 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 or check online at www.fpwa.org. The Jewish Board of Family
and Children's Services can also provide many referrals: 888.523.2769,
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.
www.childrensaidsociety.org
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. and Wed. 11-7,
Tues., Thurs., and Fri. 9-5. 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
SAFE HORIZON HOTLINE
Telephone: 800.621.4673 (domestic violence),
212.227.3000 (rape, sexual assault and incest),
or 866.689.4357 (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 hotline 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 10 years of age can stay for up to 21 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. 9-7; closed on holidays. 52 different
languages spoken.
THE DOOR – A CENTER OF ALTERNATIVES
555 Broome Street between Varick Street and 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. Regular hours are Mon.-Fri.
2-8 and Sat. during the school year from 12-4. 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 under-standing
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 and women 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
ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE PROGRAM
502 Bergen Street, Brooklyn 11217
25 Chapel Street, Brooklyn 11201
Telephone: 718.596.3635
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 ext. 208.
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 and Sexual 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
Protective Services 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 / TTY: 212.714.1134
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, 9th Floor, 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
2625 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207
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 : NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE
Columbia University Medical Center
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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