4B AUGUST 3 - 9, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION
Helping Kids And Parents Cope
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hile it’s still high summer, school is just weeks away. Already, many families are starting to feel anxiety about the return to school. The last two and a half years have been chaotic for families, and while the disruption of COVID-19 has lessened, its effects still reverberate for many. Family and Children’s Association’s (FCA) system of care can help families prepare for the upcoming school year and beyond. Its family focused approach offers a variety of free and Medicaid-supported programs designed to help prepare children of all ages and their families to cope, and even thrive inside and outside the classroom. Counseling is available for children of every socio-economic background and for non-English speakers. The FCA team works with the family to assess their needs, present a choice of services that they qualify for and empower the family to decide. In addition to working on an individual child’s goals, the caseworker can also help the family determine additional resources that would benefit them. COVID-19-related isolation and remote learning have exacerbated mental and behavioral health challenges and increased social anxiety. FCA makes it easier for kids and their families to access services through home visits or in another comfortable environment such as the local library; or even
There are waitlists for children on Medicaid. by taking a walk together. Appointments are available during the week and on weekends to accommodate the family’s schedule. The caseworker meets with the child individually so they can talk out their fears and practice coping skills. This approach removes barriers including the need to travel and/or
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take time off from work, and has met with much success. In 2021, FCA helped 333 clients with case management. The demand continues. While there is a waitlist for some services, there is never a waitlist for the assistance of a case manager. The case manager acts as an
advocate and gateway to services and can be a lifeline. Non-Medicaid wrap around services for mental health and behavioral challenges include family support and care management. There is currently a three-month waitlist for these services.
on the horizon. Molloy College is now Molloy University. Located in Rockville Centre, and with more than 70 academic undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, we combine academic excellence and leadership with personal, compassionate mentoring.
molloy.edu
Here, you’ll think about your future in a whole new way. 234060 M
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