Hotline Training

Hotline + Textline Volunteer Training starts January 2022

when: January 15 & 16, January 22 & 23, January 29, 2022
where: 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock & Virtual Training

Open to all 16 and over

Are you interested in helping both your local and wider community? Are you that listening ear that friends and loved ones always seem to turn to? Are you interested in using the skills you have and building on your knowledge of helping? Family’s hotline training is just what you’re looking for!

Training covers the core of Family’s phone and texting hotline and walk-in services. Training topics include domestic violence, child abuse, mental health and substance abuse, adolescent issues, suicide, and homelessness. The training is free of charge and oriented towards personal growth. You will learn active, compassionate listening skills and ways to connect with people in need. Family offers an opportunity to be part of the change you wish to see in the world. Intervention is as simple as answering a phone call or text message at the moment someone reaches out. It is as direct as offering a cup of coffee and a bag of food to someone who is hungry. It takes your skill and the amazing depth of resources Family has gathered over its 50 year history.

The training will be conducted virtually; it is recommended that participants have both a camera and headphones and internet access is required. The training will qualify you to volunteer at any of our three walk-in centers – New Paltz, Ellenville, or Woodstock. For more information call (845) 679-2485.

Most sessions are 3 hours in length. We follow strict onsite safety protocols to ensure psychological and physical safety. In the event of a power outage, we will reschedule our virtual sessions.

Hotline + Textline Volunteer Training starts June 2021

when: Starts June 26th 2021
where: 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock & Virtual Training

Open to all 16 and over

Are you interested in helping both your local and wider community? Are you that listening ear that friends and loved ones always seem to turn to? Are you interested in using the skills you have and building on your knowledge of helping? Family’s hotline training is just what you’re looking for!

Training covers the core of Family’s phone and texting hotline and walk-in services. Training topics include domestic violence, child abuse, mental health and substance abuse, adolescent issues, suicide, and homelessness. The training is free of charge and oriented towards personal growth. You will learn active, compassionate listening skills and ways to connect with people in need. Family offers an opportunity to be part of the change you wish to see in the world. Intervention is as simple as answering a phone call or text message at the moment someone reaches out. It is as direct as offering a cup of coffee and a bag of food to someone who is hungry. It takes your skill and the amazing depth of resources Family has gathered over its 50 year history.

The training will be conducted virtually; it is recommended that participants have both a camera and headphones and internet access is required. The training will qualify you to volunteer at any of our three walk-in centers – New Paltz, Ellenville, or Woodstock. For more information call (845) 679-2485. 

Most sessions are 3 hours in length.  We follow strict onsite safety protocols to ensure psychological and physical safety.  In the event of a power outage, we will reschedule our virtual sessions. 

Schedule

June 26th 9 am to 4 pm – Listening skills sessions 1 & 2, in person, 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock

June 27th 1:30 pm to 5 pm – SafeTALK, suicide prevention, in person, 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock

June 30th 6 pm to 9 pm – Boundaries, Ethics and Self Care, virtual session

July 10th 9 am to 5 pm – Mental Health First Aid, in person, 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock

July 11th 1:30 to 5 pm-Domestic Violence protocol and procedures, 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock

July 14th 6 pm to 9 pm – Imminent Risk and Safe Planning, virtual session

July 21st 6 pm to 9 pm-Sexual Harassment Prevention and History, virtual session

An update from Jen Pineda, Program Director MidWay 1 and 2, Kingston and Ellenville

An update from Jen Pineda, Program Director MidWay 1 and 2, Kingston and Ellenville

Working with young adults requires flexibility under any circumstances. “Blanket rules for programs just don’t work,” observed Jen Pineda. “COVID brought lots of uncertainty and changing needs. With understanding from our funding agencies, we created solid, core guidelines for both Ellenville and Kingston houses. No residents became ill. When we had a couple of staff come down with the virus, we had to jump in to cover shifts and people were incredibly willing.”

The residents have helped make this situation work as well. “Some of young people have jobs, others are in school. We had 3 graduate from high school and a number who are essential workers, going to work every day in stores and even a nursing home. One of the privileges of being a long-term residence program is that we become safe adults in their lives. All of the shared responsibility was there, before COVID, and that made things much smoother. When we needed a reminder about distancing, a staff member put up a baby-gate at the door to the office. The door was still open. The distance was natural.”

The staff and residents were thrown a second challenge after the death of George Floyd. “We have always been a supportive and diverse environment. But now we’ve been discussing together how to advocate within the system rather than just supporting the residents to navigate it.”

“We are still making changes,” said Pineda. “We are bringing in new residents, though even more cautiously than usual.” As a leader at Family, she is especially concerned now about acknowledging the extra effort and stress everyone has been under. “We all became so much more aware of how impermanent and not in our control things are. I want to find ways to give people time to process the intense experiences, the scary stuff, that they have worked through. It is amazing to me how Family staff just continue to show up and do what needs to be done.”

Update from Liz Bahr, Director of Family’s Darmstadt Shelter for Homeless Individuals

Liz Bahr is the Director of Family’s Darmstadt Shelter for Homeless Individuals (families who are experiencing homelessness stay at the Family Inn on the same campus in Kingston). ” So much has changed about how we are working,” observes Bahr. “We never closed.  All of our staff are working but we had to completely change the way we operated.  No more eating in the dining room which is open to the kitchen. We are at capacity with 19 people but everyone has to eat in the living room in 3 shifts. We have one room with its own bathroom where we can provide isolation in case someone comes down with a fever.”  Bahr describes altering the sleeping arrangements, which are dormitory style. “We did a lot of work with a tape measure to keep everyone separate!”  Helping people get out of homelessness requires intense counseling and case management. Plexiglass has been installed for those times when social distancing isn’t possible. There are multiple fever checks for staff and residents each day.

Will the changes be long-term?  Bahr doesn’t believe they will. “I look forward to not wearing a mask all day. I go home exhausted from not breathing correctly for so long.”

The thing people seem to miss most are the donations. Unfortunately, it is both illegal and impractical to take in items right now. “We get calls all the time. Everyone is home with lots of time to clean out closets. Our residents miss being able to find a great new outfit or items for their new apartment. We will figure that out but it may not be for awhile.”

Bahr came to work one day last week and someone had placed a lawn sign in front of the Shelter. It read ” Thank you for the work you do.”  She has no idea who placed it there, but it made her day.

ULSTER COUNTY COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

ULSTER COUNTY

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 12, 2020

Ulster County is providing up to three months’ rent with a maximum assistance amount of $3,000 for renters directly impacted by COVID-19.  RUPCO is administering the program on behalf of Ulster County.  Funding will serve approx. 50 households.

Renters outside the City of Kingston are eligible to apply.  Applications are available on line at

https://rupco.org/ulster-county-covid-19-rental-assistance-program-now-open/

Paper Applications are also available at the drop box at RUPCO’s 289 Fair Street Location.

Household income limits for the program are listed below.  Households at or below 60% area median income will receive priority and a lottery will determine who receives assistance.

See Applicant Eligibility Requirements Below.  * The City of Kingston receives a direct allocation of similar funds therefore County CDBG funds must be utilized outside the City. 

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

  • Household income limits are listed below. Those earning at or below the highlighted column will be prioritized.
  • Proof of loss or reduction of income related to COVID-19 is required
  • A lease or rental agreement is required
  • Applicant(s) must be current on rent as of March 1, 2020
  • Renters in the City of Kingston are not eligible*
  • Tenants living in RUPCO properties are not eligible
  • Renters receiving ongoing rental assistance, such as Section 8 are not eligible
Household size12345678
80% AMI46,90053,60060,30066,95072,35077,70083,05088,400
60% AMI35,16040,20045,24050,22054,24058,26062,28066,300

Call or e-mail Sally Dolan at 845-331-9860 ext 227 orsdolan@rupco.org if you have questions or require assistance completing the application

The deadline for applications is June 12, 2020, but applicants will have until Monday June 22, 2020 to submit required documentation.

A lottery will be held on Tuesday June 23, 2020 that will determine who receives assistance.  

Radio Kingston’s Community Fund

Please note that the last day to apply for the Radio Kingston Community Fund to assist with bills was Friday, May 22nd. We are, however, still accepting applications for gift cards to purchase food and gas. 

Since applications opened on March 23rd, the Community Fund has processed nearly 700 requests. With a one time, once per year limit per applicant of 500.00, the Fund has disbursed a combination of individual, community organization and business donations of more than 400,000.00 dollars. While we realize that the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue on, the ability of the Community Fund to continue to operate in its current form is not sustainable and we call on local, state and federal elected officials to continue to advocate for the mass relief that will be required to help the most vulnerable among us.

Many thanks to the Kingston Resilience group who formed immediately after the “P.A.U.S.E” began to address the issues of food and other security: Rise Up Kingston, O+, Wild Earth, Harambee, Kingston Land Trust, MyKingstonKids, Midtown Rising, Kingston Interfaith Council, Good Work Institute, Community Action, Kingston Food Coop, YMCA Farm Project, and The Current. Herzog’s, Kenco, and Ryan and Ryan Insurance also made significant contributions to the fund.

Additionally, much gratitude to Family of Woodstock for processing the applications and facilitating the disbursement of the funds.

Applications for gift cards to purchase food and gas through the Community Fund will be available on the Radio Kingston and Family of Woodstock websites; in person at Radio Kingston: 718 Broadway and at Family of Woodstock, 39 John Street. You can also call Family of Woodstock: 331 7080.

Family is here for you

Dear Friends,
We know that this is a difficult time. Things are changing each moment and it can be confusing and scary. We want you to know that through all of this, Family will be here for you every step of the way. While we must limit face-to-face contacts, we are committed to keeping all of our essential services operating, including our shelters (Family House Teen Shelter, Family Inn Shelter, Family of Woodstock’s Darmstadt Shelter, and Family Domestic Violence Services & The Washbourne House Shelter), transitional living program sites (MidWay- Transitional Living Program), and walk-in centers at Family of Woodstock Hotline & Textline, Family of New Paltz, and Family of Ellenville. Evolve groups are being postponed until April 6th. The walk-in centers will have very limited walk-in services, but food bags will be provided through our pantries, please call ahead of time so we can have your food ready for pick up.

Our 24-hour hotline will remain operating at all times, as it has for the past 50 years. If you are experiencing difficulty and need someone to talk to, contact us. We will get through this together.

Family of Woodstock Hotline:
845-679-2485 (Texting 5:00am-1:00am, Calls 24 hours.)

DAYTIME SERVICE NUMBERS:

Family of New Paltz:
(845) 255-8801

Family of Ellenville
(845) 647-2443

Non-residential Case Management Services
(Adults, families, and youth)
(845) 331-7080

If you are in need of child care, programs are still operating with limited vacancies. Please call our office for possible openings your family may need. Ulster 845-331-7080 or Columbia/Greene 518-822-1944

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We also want to thank everyone who has reached out to us to help. Right now, we are most in need of funding to continue these essential services. If you would like to make a donation, please click the link below.

Thank you for your support. Take care and stay safe. We will get through this together.

Child Care Connections Advocates for funding

“The NYS Child Care system is in crisis!”

That was the message sent by child care advocates across New York State- including the leadership of Family of Woodstock, Inc.’s Child Care Connections program- who joined forces in Albany on February 4th during Advocacy Day to urge NYS legislators to include investments in child care funding.

“Child care is the cornerstone of any community,” said Suzanne Holdridge, Program Director of Child Care Connections in Columbia and Greene Counties. “Parents rely on quality child care to be able to work. Businesses rely on child care to enable them to have a productive workforce. The community relies on child care for small business opportunities and to grow healthy, productive children. Child care providers have been suffering with low pay and inadequate subsidy reimbursements, which reduces the providers’ ability to attract child care workers, participate in professional development opportunities, pay for improvements in their facilities, and meet regulatory compliance requirements.”

Child care is unaffordable for parents across New York, with an average of 34% of a household’s income going towards child care costs in Columbia, Greene and Ulster counties in 2019. The number of legal child care programs has decreased significantly over the past 10 years. In Columbia County, the number of legal child care programs has decreased a staggering 58%, while Greene and Ulster Counties have dropped 42% and 37%, respectively.  

“These numbers indicate a large deficit in where our children can go, where they are cared for in a legal, safe, quality environment,” said Penny Dombrowski, Program Director of Child Care Connections in Ulster County. “With fewer options, parents are forced to seek illegal care, which may not offer safe, quality environments for their children.”

The most formative years of a child’s life are from birth through 3 years of age, during which brain growth is the quickest. These are the years when a quality child care environment with qualified, attentive staff is critical, and can make a difference in a child’s growth and development, setting them on the path for school readiness and success.

Governor Cuomo’s 2020-2021 budget proposal did not include any funding for child care, and actually reflects a $1.6 million decrease in child care funding from the previous fiscal year. The Executive Budget proposal also reflects $4.3 million in cuts for professional development for child care employees. 

“This is a major issue that will impact communities across New York State,” said Kerry Wolfeil, Team Leader for Child Care Connections. “With the requirements for child care providers to maintain compliance with regulations increasing, and the high cost of child care for parents, we need more funding to be invested in quality child care, not less.”

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Pictured above: Action Committee Member, Heidi-jo Brandt joined fellow advocates Penny Dombrowski and Sue Holdridge for a very productive conversation with Assemblymember Chris Tague on the need for child care funding. Later, Brandt joined up with CSEA/VOICE President Pamela Wells and other advocates for an equally productive conversation about funding child care with Assemblymember Carrie Woerner. It was a very good day.

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About Child Care Connections:

Child Care Connections (CCC) is the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R), one of 35 CCR&Rs across the state. CCC offers free referrals to parents seeking legal child care, provides regulatory oversight of Family Child Care and School Age Child Care programs in Columbia, Greene and Ulster Counties, and serves as the local sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which is a federal reimbursement program for providers serving nutritious meals and snacks to the children in their care. CCC also is a local resource for the community, offering Infant Toddler Specialist services for providers, and offering expertise in the areas of child growth and development.

New vans for our agency shelters!

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill, Family of Woodstock was awarded a grant from New York State which allowed us to purchase six brand new vans for our agency shelters and transitional living programs this week. These vans replace much older (in some cases, more than 20 years old) vehicles that were no longer able to keep up with the needs of the shelters.

Thank you Assemblymember Cahill for your leadership. Hundreds of homeless individuals, families and children will now have access to safe, reliable transportation for many years to come because of these new vans. Also, thank you to our friends at L.T. Begnal Motor Company: Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT for all of your help and support!

Mid-Hudson Valley Leadership Day

Save the Date!
MID HUDSON VALLEY LEADERSHIP DAY

when: Friday, October 30, 2020   – 8:00 am – 3:45 pm
where: The Venue Uptown, Kingston, NY

Celebrate Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors, Education Coordinators, Administrators, and anyone who supervises and supports staff in the Early Childhood Profession.

Keynote:
Lynn M. Lubecki Ed.D.

Early Care and Education Strategies Director, Whole Child Connection, Children’s Institute

Professional Learning, Networking, Vendor and Giveaways!

Hosted by: Ulster BOCES, Family of Woodstock and Community Playthings

Questions: Michelle Friedel, mfriedel@ulsterboces.org